Chautauqua County Community Source 12/23/22

Second Annual Jingle At The Rocks Gathering Raises $1,000 for Toys for Tots

New Scholarship at Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation Honors Late Educator

Dunkirk, NY (December 14, 2022)- The Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals (NYCP) and Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club co-hosted the second annual Jingle at the Rocks holiday party on December 8th, 2022.

Over 90 attendees gathered at 64 on the Rocks in Fredonia for the event, with all proceeds benefitting Chautauqua County Toys for Tots. Thanks to the generosity of the community members in attendance, the NCYP and Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary club presented Chautauqua County Toys for Tots with a gift of $1,000 to fulfill Christmas wish lists, in addition to over 100 new, unwrapped toys that Toys for Tots will distribute to families in need.

Lauren Boyle, Toys for Tots volunteer, said of the event, "Seeing the numbers increase so drastically from last year's event is a true testament to the hard work and dedication the Rotary and NYCP members, especially Dave, Monica, and Leslie, have for our community. I cannot thank our attendees and community enough; the outpouring of support for Toys for Tots this year has been incredible to witness firsthand."

Dave Dengler of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club said, "It was a pleasure for us to collaborate with the Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals on this event again."

Leslie Wille, a member of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club and co-chair of the Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals, shared the sentiment. "Any time there is a chance for organizations to come together and collaborate in this way, our community is better for it. I look forward to working on future projects with these two groups."

This year, Toys for Tots celebrates its 75th anniversary nationwide, with 22 years in Chautauqua County. The organization provides Christmas gifts for children ages 0-17 throughout the county. In 2021, Toys for Tots distributed toys to 4,392 children from 1,641 local families, and they are on pace to exceed those numbers this year.

Toys for Tots relies on donations from public and private fundraising events, such as Jingle at the Rocks, as well as donations of new, unwrapped toys at over 100 collection sites across Chautauqua County.

Thank you to all of the spon-

sors for this event: the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, David Dengler of Larson-Timko Funeral Home, Gugino & Ryel Financial, 64 on the Rocks, DFT Communications, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, Fresh and Fancy Floral Design Studio, and the Chautauqua Center. Additionally, donations for prizes and raffle items were provided by Downtown Brew - Craft Beer Shop & Bar, Aloe Vera Eats, The Hair Bar, Tyler Gotowka, The AG Team, Monica Simpson, Nails Unlimited, and The Peaceful Easel.

The mission of Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals (NCYP) is to network and advocate for young professionals promoting awareness of local opportunities and entrepreneurship endeavors. NCYP strategically engages in social and civic practices enhancing the

overall quality of life for young professionals and, by extension, our communities. For more information about how to support NCYP or to become a member of our growing team of innovators, contact co-chairs Monica Simpson (716-363-3770) or Leslie Wille (716-366-4892) or email nchqypro@gmail.com. For information on upcoming events and professional opportunities, we encourage interested parties to visit our website at unitedwayncc.org/nchqyp or request to join our mailing list by emailing nchqypro@gmail.com.

The Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club is comprised of neighbors and community leaders uniting for a common good and taking on the most pressing challenges of our community and our world. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. For more information on Rotary, please visit our website at dunkirkfredoniarotary.org.

Beverly’s

Dunkirk, N.Y., December 15, 2022- Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation recently received a very generous gift to establish the Beverly Ann Wood Edelmann Memorial Scholarship. Mrs. Edelmann’s five children established the scholarship in her memory; Jeffrey Edelmann, Nancy Bruce, Gregg Edelmann, Mark Edelmann, and Susan Edelmann.

career as an educator began in 1950 as an elementary school teacher in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She later taught in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, and then at Ripley Central School in the mid-1950s before leaving to raise her five children. Mrs. Edelmann returned

to Ripley Central School to teach third grade in 1969, where she continued to demonstrate her passion for helping others learn until her retirement in 1988. The Beverly Ann Wood Edelmann Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior from Chautauqua Lake Secondary School, Sherman High School, or Westfield Academy & Central School

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Jingle At The Rocks attendees participated in an ugly sweater contest.

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Pictured left to right: Tyler Gotowka, member, NCYP, Board President, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, Lawley Insurance; Monica Simpson, Co-Chair, NCYP, Partner Engagement Coordinator, Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth; Leslie Wille, Co-Chair, NCYP, member, Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, Community Engagement Coordinator, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation; Lauren Boyle, Toys for Tots volunteer; David Dengler, member, Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, Owner/Operator, Larson-Timko Funeral Home.

Free Guided Nature Walk at Audubon on New Year’s Eve Day

Jamestown, N.Y. – As the year comes to a close, you are invited to enjoy a guided winter hike at Audubon Community Nature Center.

You can join an Audubon educator for a walk on the last day of the year, Saturday, December 31, 2022, 10:30 a.m. – noon.

Winter is settling in, and plants and animals are preparing for the cold days ahead. Learn how creatures adapt to the changing weather and enjoy the winter scenery that the Nature Center has to offer.

Take this opportunity during the holiday season to reflect on the past year, prepare for the future, and get a jump start on your new year’s resolutions, all while learning about nature.

After the hike, return to the center to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.

Children are welcome as long as they are able to hike on snowy trails for at least half a mile or more.

Remember to dress for the weather. The event will be canceled in the case of severe weather.

While donations are welcomed, the walk is free of charge.

Participation is limited to 15. Reservations are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome if space is available.

To reserve your place, call the Nature Center during open hours at (716) 569-2345 or go

to AudubonCNC.org and click through “Programs and Events.”

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike, snowshoe or cross country ski more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

The building will be closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day. To learn mor about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org, where you will find the most up-to-date COVID-19 Notice at the top of the page.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures con-

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: – Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services encourages residents to consider giving a precious gift, the gift of family and home to a child, teen, or group of siblings here in Chautauqua County this holiday season.

“Like gifts, gatherings, and good tidings, family is central to the holiday season,” said Leanna Luka-Conley, Deputy Commissioner of Children and Family Services. “Many of us have treasured holiday family memories from childhood, or from watching the faces of our own children light up with holiday joy. For many children in our community, the holidays can serve as a painful reminder of the difficulties that they have endured. Too many children have suffered abuse, neglect, and abandonment, and they urgently need caring foster or adoptive parents to welcome them into their lives.”

The Department’s home finding and adoption teams and community agencies work diligently at recruiting new foster parents and equipping them with the tools needed to succeed and finding forever homes for children in

Chautauqua County.

Local family Heather and Kevin Kyser share their adoption story, which is written by Heather Kyser:

We began our adoption journey as foster parents through the Department of Health and Human Services. When our foster children finally stood before the judge and received our last name, it was worth every tear, obstacle, and frustration. My husband and I love all of our children (two biological and four adopted) unconditionally. Love is compassion in action, and takes a lot of work. If we can provide stability and security for a child in need, then we know we have done our part for that one child.

Adopting a child is an amazing journey with successes and setbacks. An open mind and being adaptable help navigate the trials along the way. The adoption process is filled with emotions - all of them. There are days of exhaustion, depression, fear, anger, but also love, happiness, laughter, and hope. There is gratitude towards the biological parents for giving your child the chance at life, and at the same time, the deep hurt you know those parents are often experiencing. And the moment of exhilaration and overwhelming joy when that precious child becomes a member of our forever family.

The legal process of adopting a child from the foster care system can be lengthy. In 2013, we received three biological siblings (two toddler boys with special needs in May, and their newborn sister in December). These three beautiful children were adopted in the spring of 2019, almost six years after being placed in our care. In the spring of 2022, we adopted another child. After spending her entire four years

in the foster care system, she officially became part of our family. My husband and I are passionate advocates for adoption; every child is worth the wait.

Having a strong support system through the Department of Health and Human Services made every step of our adoption process a bit easier. We learned that our caseworkers and support groups were (and are) our strongest advocates. Since the beginning of our journey, we have been provided with parenting advice, education, behavioral training resources, and emotional support. These children have taught us to be vulnerable and take risks for them, and to love big.

Some say our adopted kids are so lucky to have us. The truth is that we are the luckiest parents on Earth who get the privilege of having an adopted child call us Mom and Dad, to celebrate victories with, and to give and receive affection.

If adoption is something you would consider, the love you will have for your child will outweigh every struggle you will experience throughout the adoption journey. Adopting a child won’t change the world. But for that child, the world will change. Never underestimate the difference you can make in the life of a child.

Last month, in celebration of National Adoption Month, the Department recognized eight families who adopted 14 children in Chautauqua County over the past year. To learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please contact the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services at (716) 661-8212 and visit its website https://chqgov.com/humansocial-services/children-family-services.

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Photo of Heather and Kevin Kyser and their six children.

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Before any New Year’s Eve celebrations begin, relish some peaceful moments in the outdoors on a free mid-morning guided walk at Audubon Community Nature Center on Saturday, December 31.

Gifts from the heart are among the most coveted and appreciated come the holiday season. Hobbyists from all walks of life can turn their passions into handmade gifts, but few gifts may be as welcomed as those that can be eaten.

Cooking and baking

ramps up during the holiday season. People can turn extra time in the kitchen into opportunities to create festive treats that are ideal for gifting. But which items are the best of the best? Even though tastes are singular, these items will appeal to most foodies and others on

your gift list.

• Jams and preserves: Fruit jams and preserves are versatile foods. They are as at home on toast and biscuits as they are as fillings in cookies and tarts. Jams and preserves can be made with relatively few ingredients and work well with seasonal fruits.

• Cinnamon rolls: Warm, sticky and full of aromatic spice, cinnamon rolls are the perfect comfort foods. These rolls do not typically have a long shelf life, so be sure to present them promptly before they get stale.

• Pancakes (or cookies) in a jar: If you have a fantastic recipe that you can’t resist sharing, try turning it into a gift. Measure and package the ingredients into mason jars, tie with ribbons and include directions for preparation and cooking.

• Mini bundt cakes: Fruit cakes may be a holiday standard, but bundt cakes make for great and traditional offerings as well. Miniature bundts filled with chocolate chips, dried fruits or even those soaked in a favorite boozy-butter glaze can be moist and delicious.

• Chocolate barks or fudges: Seasonal flavors can come to life in chocolate

treats. White chocolate filled with peppermint pieces or dark chocolate and cherry chunks are tasty pairings. Break apart portions of the bark or cut the fudge with cookie cutters and gift inside cello bags tied with ribbons or in cardboard candy boxes.

• Cocktail syrups: Create spicy or sweet syrups that are tailor-made for enhancing cocktails. Anyone on your gift list can then become a master mixologist.

• Shortbread cookie ornaments: Circular shortbread cookies can be decorated with royal icing to look like Christmas ornaments. They can be eaten or even placed on trees to complete holiday decor.

• Festive cookie pops: Cookie pops can be made by mixing homemade or prepurchased crumbled cake with frosting or softened cream cheese and formed into balls. Insert a lollipop stick and dip the balls into melted chocolate or candy melts. Sprinkles, nonpareils or luster dust can be used to enhance the covered pops.

Food gifts are perfect for the holiday season. Handmade treats from the heart show loved ones how just much you care.

Jingle Bells

The instantly recognizable “Jingle Bells” has become a wildly popular Christmas carol despite not mentioning Christmas or any other holiday.

Written by New England native James Lord Pierpont, “Jingle Bells” is commemorated with plaques in two different cities, each of which claims to be the place where Pierpont wrote the song in the 1850s. One plaque is in Medford, Massachusetts, where Pierpont is said to have written the song from a tavern while watching sleigh races taking place outside. The other plaque is in Savannah, Georgia, where locals believe Pierpont wrote the lyrics prior to leading a sing-along of the song at a local church in 1857.

“Jingle Bells”

(Extended version)

Dashing through the snow

In a one-horse open sleigh O’er the fields we go Laughing all the way Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight! Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago I thought I’d take a ride And soon, Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side, The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot He got into a drifted bank And then we got upsot.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago, The story I must tell I went out on the snow, And on my back I fell; A gent was riding by In a one-horse open sleigh, He laughed as there I sprawling lie, But quickly drove away.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white Go it while you’re young, Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song; Just get a bobtailed Two forty as his speed Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! you’ll take the lead.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Lyrics written by James Lord Pierpont Lyrics courtesy of Digital Music News

who has been accepted to an accredited two or four-year post-secondary program as a full-time student. To be eligible, students must have attended one of these schools during their junior and senior years, at a minimum, and earned a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Preference will be given to those students who have participated in high school and/or community activities. Awardees will be selected based on the eligibility requirements, as well as a strong work ethic, willingness to sacrifice for others and the greater good, kindness to others, letters of recommendation illustrating these qualities, and the content and sincerity of their essay, submitted as part of the application process.

For more information on this or other scholarships available through the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation,

please visit nccfoundation.org/ scholarships, email scholarships@nccfoundation.org, or call our office at 716-366-4892.

NCCF is grateful for the many generous donors who have established scholarships and other funds.

Since its incorporation in 1986, the NCCF has invested more than $18 million in northern Chautauqua County through strategic grantmaking, targeted scholarships, and leadership and community collaborations. The NCCF is a tax-exempt charitable organization inherently committed to enhancing the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. As a Nationally Accredited Community Foundation, the NCCF has proven compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, demonstrating integrity, equity, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in meeting the needs of their community. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.

A popular Christmas song attests “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” For many people, a truer statement couldn’t be uttered. But sometimes life gets in the way of an old-fashioned holiday spent at home.

There are a number of reasons why individuals may not be able to spend the holidays at home. Active military service people may not be able to leave their posts to travel home. Some students studying abroad or even far away domestically may find getting back to their homes can be time- and cost-prohibitive. Some people may not be home for the holidays because work obligations keep them out of town, or because they have planned vacations to serve as nontraditional holiday celebrations.

Being away from some familiar sights and sounds of the holidays doesn’t mean celebrations should be any less special. Here are tips for celebrating away from home.

• Find people in similar situations. Chances are you will not be the only person away from home, particularly if you are a student or someone on a business venture. Connect with others who are away from their families and do something together for the holidays.

• Partake of local traditional activities. You may be used to baking sugar cookies for the holidays, but in a foreign country, the locals may make another type of dessert. Figure out how the locals celebrate the holidays and then take part in any way you can.

• Volunteer your time. If

you will be away or alone for the holidays, volunteer your time to help the less fortunate. Deliver meals to those who are not able to leave home, like seniors, or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Visit a children’s hospital and deliver small gifts.

• Engage in virtual fun. Connect with people at home through the power of digital technology. Video conferencing services connect people who can’t be together in person. Utilize these apps and services to remote into a holiday dinner or when loved ones open gifts.

• Cook up your favorites. Evoke traditional holiday celebrations by cooking the foods you would normally enjoy at home. Those tastes and smells can transport you back to grandma’s kitchen or dad’s living

room.

• Stay off of social media. Being away from home during the holidays can be challenging, and that challenge can be even greater if you see photo after photo on social media of people you know spending time with their friends and loved ones. Tune out of your social feeds for a few days.

• Invite others to you. Maybe you don’t have the means of getting home, but you can bring those at home to you. Find out if anyone can plan a road trip, train ride or flight to where you are and then enjoy the holidays together.

Being away from home during the holidays may not be ideal. However, there are plenty of ways to maintain your holiday spirit when celebrating in unfamiliar surroundings.

Geneva, N.Y. – Stil-Bène, Inc., of Geneva, and Westfield Maid Cooperative, of Portland, were the grand prize winners of the first New York Concord Grape Innovation Awards, a business competition aimed at stimulating innovation and development of new products and markets for one of New York’s largest and most historic grape industries.

The prizes were awarded Friday, December 9, at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, where 12 finalists from across the state met to pitch their products before a panel of judges.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets funded the competition, which was hosted and organized by the New York State Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech.

The finalists are split into two categories: Best New Concord Grape Beverage and Best New Concord Grape-Based Product.

Westfield Maid Cooperative, one of the largest and oldest marketing cooperatives based in the Lake Erie grape growing region, won the top prize in the best new beverage category for its “Good n’ Grapey” Concord grape juice pouches, aimed at supplying school cafeterias.

Westfield Maid, the state’s first New York State Grown & Certified juice processor, was part of New York’s “Grape-toSchool” pilot program in 2019 that aimed to bring New Yorkgrown Concord grape juice to select school districts across the state.

The new pouches are a continuation of that effort. Unlike the previous foil-topped plastic juice cups, which are often frozen for long-term storage, the pouches are shelf-stable with colorful branding and innovative packaging designed to encourage more kids to drink Concord grape juice.

Stil-Bène, Inc. was formed by the founders of Siena Development Group, a Genevabased food and beverage product development company, and Elad Tako, associate professor of food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University (CALS) and a leading researcher into the health benefits of grape pomace.

Their winning product is Stil-Bène, a powdered dietary

supplement designed to improve digestive health that is made from grape pomace – the skins and seeds left over after pressing grapes.

The products were judged on five criteria: market readiness, innovative approach, economic impact on the Concord grape industry, potential for expanded utilization of Concord grapes and percentage of Concord grape in the product.

Grand prize winners of each category were awarded a $20,000 cash prize, along with a package of expert support from Cornell University valued at $8,000. Second-place winners in each category won a $10,000 cash prize, along with a package of expert support from Cornell University valued at $5,000. Third-place winners were awarded a $5,000 cash prize and a package of expert support from Cornell University valued at $3,500.

In addition to the prize packages, winning products will also be featured at the nearly 70 Taste NY markets and 10 welcome centers across the state.

The Best New Concord GrapeBased Product winners:

• First Place: Stil-Bène, Inc. (Geneva, NY) – Digestive health dietary supplement

• Second Place: Chia Smash (Brooklyn, N.Y.) – Concord Superfood Jam

• Third Place: The Center for Discovery (Harris, N.Y.) – New York State Concord Balsamic Vinegar

The Best New Concord Grape Beverage winners:

• First Place: Westfield Maid Cooperative (Portland, N.Y.) –Good n’ Grapey Concord grape juice pouches.

• Second Place: Pleasant Valley Wine Company (Hammondsport, N.Y.) – The Spiked Vine Artisanal Hard Soda

• Third Place: Knapp Farm (Lowman, N.Y.) – Concord Switchel

The idea for the competition grew from the 2018 New York State Concord Grape Summit, held at the Grape Discovery Center in Chautauqua County. The summit was held to bolster the Concord grape industry, which had suffered from low prices and consumer demand, labor shortages and increasing production costs in recent years.

The Lake Erie region of New York and Pennsylvania is home

to over 32,000 acres of vineyard, of which nearly 98% is planted to Concord – making it the largest grape growing region in the U.S. outside of California, and the largest Concord growing region in the world.

New York State Agriculture

Commissioner Richard A. Ball: “At New York State’s Concord Grape Summit a few years ago, we set a goal to increase grape marketing and promotion for Concord grapes, and to prioritize research and product development across New York’s grape industry. It’s exciting to see these Concord Grape Innovation Awards make good on that pledge. Concord grapes are a critical part of New York’s agricultural economy, and with some exciting, innovative products and producers taking home the top prizes at this competition, I know that the best is yet to come. I look forward to seeing these products displayed in stores across our state, and send my sincere congratulations to all the awardees.”

Olga Padilla-Zakour, Interim Director of Cornell AgriTech, Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center and competition judge:

“We were so pleased to host the Concord Grape Innovation Award competition funded by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The synergies of academia, state government and businesses working together spark innovative solutions to ensure the viability of agricultural systems, and in this case, of the Concord grape industry.”

Catharine Young, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech, former New York State Senator and competition judge:

“When you get local and state stakeholders in the room to identify solutions, it bears fruit and yields positive results. It has been gratifying to develop policy as a former state lawmaker that sprang from the 2018 Summit when growers, processors, agribusiness experts, economic developers, and local and state officials gathered in Chautauqua County to find ways to boost the Concord grape industry. Now that policy has been put into action through the Concord grape innovation business competition, and it has been special to

take a leading role through Cornell to ensure the event’s success.

New discoveries related to food are spurring economic growth and vitality, and the outcome of the competition will fulfill the promise from 2018 to make the Concord grape industry stronger. The winners will be supplying the amazing antioxidant and immune system benefits of grape juice to school children, upcycling food waste from grape pomace into dietary supplements that improve people’s gut health and introducing novel food and beverage products into the marketplace for consumers’ enjoyment.

The lasting impact not only will grow the agribusiness industry, but it also will have positive effects on countless people’s lives.”

Nike Nozzolio, former New York State Senator and competition judge: “It was exciting to review many innovative, tasty and highly nutritious products developed by the finalists for the New York Concord Grape Innovation Award. The keen competition made determining the winners very challenging, and this highlights a very bright future for New York’s Concord Grape industry.”

Andy Putnam, Director of Sales and Strategy, Westfield Maid Cooperative: “Westfield Maid Cooperative, Inc. is very pleased with our firstplace award in the new beverage category during last Friday’s New York Concord Innovation Award competition at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, N.Y. We thank NYS Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball, the event judges, and event coordinators for making this competition possible as a follow up to the 2018 Concord Grape Summit.

The associated prize money and free consulting services will propel us toward rapid launch of our new Concord grape beverage product for NYS farm to school markets.

We see our innovative new product as a strategic opportunity to reintroduce New York State school children to the au-

thentic taste profile, aromas, and health benefits afforded by high-quality, 100% Concord grape juice, and to sustain the viability of local Concord grape farms within the beautiful Lake Erie Concord grape belt region.

We applaud New York State and Cornell AgriTech for rewarding and encouraging market innovation and helping us to pursue significant upside potential within farm to school markets. The learning and acceleration benefits we’ve already experienced through our participation in this award competition have been immense and we are very grateful for them.”

Elad Tako, Co-owner, StilBène, Inc.

“The award will greatly accelerate moving our new product from final development to market entrance and distribution. State investment in product innovation is the most direct line to supporting industry growth and economic impact. We appreciate the recognition of value we

bring to the industry by turning a costly waste product into a nutritional supplement for gut health – something in demand by today’s consumers.

State support for our new product creates demand for pomace that, in turn, creates value to the New York Concord grape industry.”

About the COE: The Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech works to grow the food and agriculture industries in New York by connecting food and agriculture businesses and entrepreneurs with what they need to succeed. The COE provides mentorship, access to world-class Cornell research and experts and other resources to foster the growth of new companies, new products, and existing businesses.

For more information, please visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.