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New York Maple Syrup Sold At Wegmans

Source: New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, Agriculture News -June 30, 2010

First Major Retailer in State to Carry New "New York Maple - Taste the Tradition" Logo

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today joined representatives of Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. at their Henrietta store to recognize the first major food retailer in the State to carry New York maple syrup, utilizing the industry's new "New York Maple - Taste the Tradition" logo. New York maple syrup is now being proudly featured at all 75 of Wegmans' stores, including those in and out of New York State.

"New York is a leading producer of maple syrup and Wegmans has been a long-time leader in the retail food industry for carrying and promoting locally grown and processed food," the Commissioner said. "Wegmans is once again leading the way by being the first major food retailer to support our new New York Maple - Taste the Tradition logo and carry the product in every one of its stores. This partnership makes sense for both parties with the ultimate victors being Wegmans customers and New York maple consumers who now have greater access to New York's sweet treat."

Starting at the end of May, all 75 Wegmans stores carried New York State maple syrup in two sizes - a 12 ounce glass bottle and a 16 ounce plastic jug. The maple syrup is branded with the industry's new New York Maple label and logo that features the tagline, "Taste the Tradition."

The product is being sourced from Merle Maple in Attica, Wyoming County, and to date, Wegmans has sold over 2,500 units of New York maple syrup.

Mary Ellen Burris, Sr. Vice President of Consumer Affairs for Wegmans said, "Just walk into any Wegmans store, and you'll see our commitment to supporting local growers and producers. There are hundreds of local products throughout our store, starting with fresh produce and dairy products, and we have now added New York maple syrup to the lineup. The Merle family has a produced a superb product, and we are proud to be the first major retailer in New York State to offer it under the new label: 'New York State Maple Syrup.' Our customers want to support local producers, and we think they'll love this product."

For over a century, the Merle family has produced maple syrup and received numerous industry awards, including Arthur E. Merle being inducted into the Maple Hall of Fame in 1988, for the family's innovative thinking and involvement with the State's maple industry. Merle Maple Farm is one of the State's largest maple producers, tapping 16,000 sugar maple trees and producing 5,000 to 6,000 gallons of syrup a year. Merle Maple's production capacity, coupled with the quality of their product appealed to Wegmans who sought after a sole-source provider for their retail food stores.

Lyle Merle, Owner of Merle Maple Farm said, "We are so pleased to utilize the "Taste the Tradition" label and have our product on the stores shelves of a major retailer like Wegmans. Local maple syrup has typically only been offered for sale on the farm, at farmers' markets or in smaller specialty shops. By Wegmans carrying our product, thousands of consumers will be reminded of this wonderful New York State product and have the convenience of picking up a jug when doing their weekly grocery shopping."

Last August, the State unveiled a new logo and tag line for New York maple products to help and encourage the State's maple producers to work collectively under the brand name New York Maple - Taste the Tradition. The New York Maple logo and tagline are prominently featured on Merle Maple's jugs of syrup, as well as many other New York maple producers, offering consumers an image that is easily recognized and distinguished as a New York product.

New York maple syrup accounts for nearly 20 percent of the nation's maple production, ranking the State second. In 2010, New York's 1,500 maple producers made 312,000 gallons of maple syrup, down 29 percent from 2009 due to unfavorable weather conditions that hindered sap flow throughout the State and northeast.