By Blake Jackson
On March 8th, 2024, from 1:00-3:30 pm at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, NY, women and minority business owners are invited to a complimentary information session on New York State’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification program. This event is a collaborative effort between Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Harvest NY program, Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County, and Taste NY, a program under the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets.
The session will cover essential topics such as the MWBE certification process for New York State contractors, insights into developing value-added products with the Cornell Food Venture Center, and opportunities for businesses with Taste NY. A panel discussion will feature Precious M. Tshabalala, Food Systems Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Harvest NY, offering an MWBE program overview; Ebony Hattoh, a certified MWBE from New York New Energy, sharing a success story; Vicki Giarratano, Assistant Director for Food Systems & Innovation at Cornell Cooperative Extension, discussing TasteNY and selling value-added products; and a representative from Cornell’s Food Venture Center in Geneva, explaining how CFVC assists food businesses in introducing new products to the market.
Attendance is free, but registration is mandatory to ensure ample handouts for participants. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided at the event.
Register online at https://ccecayuga.org/mwbe-info . With questions or for directions, please contact Heather Ward, Manager, Taste NY Market at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, at hab27@cornell.edu or 607-229-3650
Photo Credit: gettyimages-pixdeluxe
Categories: New York, Education