Sandwich Showdown: Regardless of which sandwich emerges victorious, New York state wins

Fresh, local products sandwiched between Frankfort’s own Heidelberg bread with a sprinkling of friendly competition – Taste NY is hoping that's a recipe for success.

Taste NY, an initiative of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, is holding its very first Sandwich Showdown beginning Friday. SUNY Cobleskill agriculture students and staff at two Taste NY locations collaborated to design and market sandwiches using New York ingredients, according to a statement from the department.

Staff at the Taste NY Market at the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center in Fultonville and at the Carriage House Cafe and General Store at SUNY Cobleskill were tasked with creating sandwiches using at least 50% local ingredients, state officials said.

The agriculture students in a “Retail Practicum” agricultural business course got hands-on business experience as part of this project, officials said.

What's for lunch?

The Taste NY Market’s sandwich, called “The General Herkimer Veggie,” features creamy chèvre from Interlaken’s Lively Run Dairy, tender beets from Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg, fresh basil pesto from Binghamton’s Whole in the Wall, romaine lettuce, beefsteak tomatoes and red onion on Heidelberg Italian bread, officials said.

The sandwich created by the Carriage House Café and General Store is aptly named “The Carriage House.” It includes arugula (sprouted from Hudson Valley Seed Company seeds) and beefsteak tomatoes grown right on SUNY Cobleskill’s campus. Those ingredients are combined with extra sharp Cabot New York cheddar from Chateaugay and smoked maple mustard from New York City’s Yo Pitts! Foods on Heidelberg French peasant bread, officials said.

State officials announced that visitors will be able to sample both sandwiches and vote for their favorite on Friday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center and on Tuesday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carriage House Café and General Store.

The winning sandwich will be added to the menu at both locations for a limited time, state officials said.

'The essence of the region's flavors'

SUNY Cobleskill professor JoAnne Cloughly has worked with her agriculture business students since January to develop marketing and promotion plans for the sandwich project, as well as to coordinate the sampling and voting events.

“We're thrilled to take part in this competition to come up with a regional Taste NY sandwich,” Cloughly said in a statement. “Featuring our campus-grown arugula and tomatoes, this creation captures the essence of our region's flavors. Crafting this featured regional sandwich isn't just a competition for us; it's a celebration of our campus community and the students involved in creating it.”

According to state officials, Taste NY is an initiative that aims to bring attention to the quality and diversity of New York state food and beverage products, and to create opportunities for producers. With events, retail locations and partnerships with over 1,800 state farmers and producers, Taste NY helps bring economic opportunities to New Yorkers and celebrate the flavors of the state.

“Not only does this Sandwich Showdown spotlight all that’s great about our Taste NY program and the fresh, local products that are its hallmark, but the competition also highlights the fantastic agricultural education opportunities that we have here in New York, with SUNY Cobleskill students designing the program and helping to bring these delicious foods to more New Yorkers and visitors alike,” State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said in a statement. “I encourage everyone to stop by the Taste NY Market at the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center and the Carriage House Café and General Store at SUNY Cobleskill to try these delicious creations and cast a vote for your favorite!”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Taste NY Sandwich Showdown a win for state, sandwich lovers