Local farmers, food producers and artisans are gathering in Westmoreland on Saturday, November 7, for the return of Taste of Central New York, a free, family-friendly event running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Star Orchards. Shoppers can expect free food tastings, interactive product demonstrations, several food trucks and live music from The Ingersoll's, all centered on supporting Central New York farmers, makers and small businesses.
The event is organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County, as reported by WIBX 950. This year brings a notable first: shoppers will be able to pre-order products from select participating vendors ahead of the event, a new option introduced for 2026 that lets small producers coordinate directly with customers before the gates even open.
A Festival Built to Showcase Finished Farm Products
Taste of Central New York isn't a brand-new concept. The event was created in 2018 as a joint effort between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and local farm organizers specifically to highlight finished, consumer-ready local food products, according to Big Frog 104. It was designed as a complement to more hands-on educational farm tours like the county's Farm Fest, giving shoppers a chance to taste and buy rather than just tour.
Past iterations held at North Star Orchards have drawn up to 17 local vendors showcasing farm-fresh meats, produce, baked goods and artisan crafts, with some years also including scheduled cider mill tours, per the Sentinel Media Company. Organizers hold vendors to specific standards, too: Cornell University's events calendar notes that participants must display valid New York State sales credentials, carry certificates of insurance, operate within designated 8x8-foot booths, and offer free samples or interactive demonstrations.
North Star Orchards Grew From a Roadside Stand
The host venue has its own long history in the region's food scene. North Star Orchards began in 1986 as a roadside apple stand and has since grown into a nearly 200-acre farm market, bakery, greenhouse and active cider mill that operates 8.5 months out of the year, according to Mohawk Valley Today. The family-owned operation, founded by George and Elaine Joseph, sits on Route 233 just north of the New York State Thruway.
Ahead of its 2021 season, the market completed a building expansion that added enlarged greenhouse facilities, more indoor retail space and upgraded parking, giving it added capacity to host crowds for events like this one, the station reported at the time. North Star Orchards also holds a spot on the regional Central New York Cheese Trail as a designated retail stop for locally produced aged cheeses, maple syrup and seasonal goods, according to Oneida County Tourism, which highlights artisanal producers across Oneida and neighboring counties.
Part of a Broader Push for Local Agriculture
The event lands amid a larger county effort to boost farming and direct-to-consumer sales. Oneida County unveiled a comprehensive Agricultural Strategic Plan through 2030, developed with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County to prioritize farmland preservation, agritourism and local food distribution, the Oneida County government announced in July 2025. The plan sets five main policy goals to guide county land use and farm support going forward.
The county has also backed its lead agricultural agency with real dollars. Oneida County broke ground in August 2025 on a $7.2 million expansion of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Farm & Home Center facility in Oriskany, adding 16,000 square feet of office, conference and educational space, according to the county government. CCE Oneida County delivers agricultural, youth development and nutrition programs across the county, making it the same organization behind Taste of Central New York.
That public investment sits against the backdrop of an agricultural sector that remains a significant piece of the local economy. Oneida County is home to 967 farms spanning 192,767 acres, with total agricultural sales reaching roughly $70 million per year in livestock and dairy products, per the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Dairy and cattle make up the vast majority of that livestock revenue, underscoring why events connecting small producers directly to shoppers carry weight beyond a single Saturday in Westmoreland.
