NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (December 19, 2016) — Eleanor’s Best – Philipstown-based maker of vegan and gluten free, locally sourced artisanal jams, jellies, preserves and marmalades – and three other local specialty food manufacturers have officially joined the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance, bringing the group’s membership to 100.
The Alliance is a cluster initiative of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC). Its members work to promote food and beverage companies across the region and get their products in front of more consumers nationwide. The Alliance includes food businesses, beverage makers, distributors, farmers, vegetable growers and a variety of other types of businesses.
The newest additions to the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance are Eleanor’s Best, Organic Nectars, Penny Lick Ice Cream and Screamin’ Onionz.
“In just a few short years, we have grown the Alliance into one of the strongest regional specialty food and craft beverage organization in all of New York State,” said Laurence P. Gottlieb, president and CEO of HVEDC. “We’re especially proud that the 100th member, Eleanor’s Best is a successful woman-owned business whom we are nurturing through HVEDC’s executive education and job-shadowing initiative, the Bet on My Business Academy.”
He added, “The Alliance is a powerful economic development tool, because of the energy we draw from the diversity of the owners themselves, their unique backgrounds, as well as the products they manufacture and sell. Together, these entrepreneurs represent the depth and breadth of the Hudson Valley’s food and beverage industry.”
Eleanor’s Best, located across the Hudson River from the famous U.S. Military Academy at West Point, makes a variety of marmalades and jams based on traditions and methods that go back generations. Its products are all gluten free and naturally vegan, and include flavors like blackberry, bitter orange, blueberry, ginger, grape, hot pepper and raspberry, among numerous others.
Saugerties-based innovator Organic Nectars creates and produces delicious vegan, organic, gluten-free, low-glycemic frozen desserts, chocolates, dessert spreads, sweeteners and superfood ingredients. Their Cashewtopia product – the world’s first cashew cream-based gelato – won the Specialty Food Association’s GOLD sofi Award for outstanding organic product of the year, and their chocolates are the world’s first coconut sugar-sweetened chocolate bars and barks.
Penny Lick Ice Cream Company in Hastings-on-Hudson offers old-fashioned, custard-based ice cream with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Its products are made with whole milk, sugar and eggs from Hudson Valley farms, and their ice cream bases are pasteurized on site without the use of gums, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. Penny Lick is available wholesale as well as retail, and they also cater. The company’s polka dot push carts can be found at festivals and venues around the lower Hudson Valley and in New York City.
With its sliced onions simmered in hot sauce, Screamin’ Onionz produces truly unique condiments. The sauces come in three different heat levels: mild, medium and hot. According to the company, the condiment goes well with a wide range of foods and contains no added sugars; because of this it is widely used in vegan, paleo, Whole30 and numerous other diets. Screamin’ Onionz are sold in Whole Foods Markets in Connecticut and New York and at loveonionz.com.
About the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance:
The Hudson Valley region boasts the most vibrant and growing base of food & beverage-related businesses in the nation. Alongside many well-known industry names and successful and growing industry players, the Food & Beverage Alliance brings organizations within the food and beverage industries together, helping area businesses forge strong partnerships. The Alliance provides access to economic guidance and marketing resources to businesses throughout the region.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, Hudson Valley EDs & MEDs, Hudson Valley PLAY and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit www.hvedc.com.
