BROOKLYN APRIL/MAY2018 2016• •Vol Vol99, Issue 98, Issue52 July/August
BUSINESSES NEWS NewsFOR forBROOKLYN Brooklyn businesses
BROOKLYN EATS Female Makers Make Their Mark at BROOKLYN EATS
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nita makes yogurt. Chitra makes an Indian relish called Achaar. Pooja makes ice cream with native spices from India. And, Marisa makes salt water taffy. This year’s BROOKLYN EATS food and beverage showcase brought a variety of flavors and differing elements, but it also brought a unifying theme -- female makers are making their mark on the food manufacturing industry. Sixty-one exhibitors showcased at the event held on Thursday, June 28 at BKLYN STUDIOS at City Point, and 21 of them were women-owned businesses. In Brooklyn, food and beverage manufacturing has grown by 31 percent since 2009 to 7,300 jobs, according to a new economic report from NY State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017, women made up almost 42% of the food manufacturing industry nationwide. The event’s popularity showcases the broader success of Brooklyn’s food and beverage manufacturing scene, an economic force that accounts for the greatest portion of manufacturing jobs in the borough. Brooklyn food manufacturing created over 6,000 jobs during the first half of 2015, and 35 percent of New York City’s food manufacturing jobs are located in the borough. “Brooklyn’s food and beverage manufacturers are an industrious and spirited bunch of people who are really making an impression on the culinary sector throughout Brooklyn and beyond. Plus, they are environmentally conscious and making use of the borough’s many natural resources to sustain and grow their businesses. We appreciate their participation and thank our sponsors and the city and state legislatures for their essential support,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Acting President Rick Russo. “BROOKLYN EATS is always a huge success, but this year was especially successful due to the strength of women entrepreneurs who are manufacturing high-quality, artisanal products right here in Brooklyn,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Denise Arbesu. “It’s great to sample and purchase
Photo by Kenneth Brown
the results of their hard work, and passion, and to know their production has led to job creation and economic development in the borough.” “Being in business in Brooklyn is extraordinary from the rest of the world because of the invaluable knowledge and collaborative spirit you can only get from others running businesses here. And, working side by side with fellow women entrepreneurs who started in their own kitchens and at pop-up markets and now have thriving, successful businesses – is so
exciting to see. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by these tough, smart and resourceful women,” said Anita’s Yogurt Founder Anita Shepherd. “It’s exciting to be a new business in Brooklyn. Not only is there support from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, but people are hungry for Brooklyn-Made new, healthy, and organic foods. At Norwegian Baked we are bringing our tradition of Norwegian nutrientrich crispbread to modern-day Brooklyn with health-conscious quality food that tastes good.
BROOKLYN DESIGNS
Building Brooklyn Awards
In Photos
Continued on Page 5
From Our Members
Brooklyn Historical Society
The Winners
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It’s even more meaningful to be able to be amongst like-minded women in this business who understand the challenges and are passionate about their successes,” said Norwegian Baked’s Founder and Baker Hedvig Bourbon. “We have had great success with BROOKLYN EATS and this was our third time exhibiting. It has become a must-visit for everyone in town for the food shows that week, and there are an increasing number of buyers and media every year who focus on the Brooklyn brands
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Photo Gallery
Chamber Out… And About
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Explore Brooklyn
Exploring all that Brooklyn Has to Offer
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