Food and Beverage Manufacturing
The Greater Rochester, NY region offers a full range of resources for food and beverage manufacturing companies.
Fully Integrated Supply Chain: Local companies have access to fully integrated supply chain assets, including precision manufacturing, engineering, and packaging support. In addition there are world-class research and development resources available at Rochester Institute of Technology and Cornell University.
Agricultural Resources: The combination of rich, fertile land with access to 7% of the world's fresh water supplygives the Rochester Region an incredible supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, and wine. We are #1 in New York State in sales of all food crops, milk and other animal products. (course: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis)
Access to Fresh Water: Our region has millions of gallons per day in excess water capacity at rates well below the national average. Companies do not face water rationing or water rights fees. Monroe County Water Authority has 12 million gallons a day of excess water capacity.
Dairy Supply: New York is the third largest milk producing state in the U.S. The Rochester Region is the largest milk producing region in New York. This abundant milk supply was one of the reasons HP Hood chose to expand in our region.
Proximity to Major Markets: Rochester is conveniently located within 500 miles of one-third of the U.S. and Canadian population. This puts us close to major markets without major market costs. We are near Interstate 90, which provides easy highway access and distribution of goods. In addition, commercial rail service is available through three Class 1 carriers: CSX, Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific. The routes handle up to 60 trains per day.
Shovel Ready Sites: Shovel ready sites with solid infrastructure and low-cost supply of water and wastewater capacity.
Skilled Workforce: The region has more than 5,500 employed in the food manufacturing sector and 2,300 in the beverage sector. (source: 2nd Quarter 2014, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages).
Major Corporations: There are more than 100 food and beverage manufacturing companies in the Greater Rochester, NY region including companies.
Notable Local Companies
World-class talent at competitive rates below the national average.
| Position |
Rochester Annual Mean Wage
|
National Annual Mean Wage |
Rochester Advantage |
| Food Scientists and Technologists |
$52,160 |
$71,270 |
26.8% |
| Food Service Manager |
$51,770 |
$56,010 |
7.6% |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders |
$40,330 |
$50,300 |
19.8% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers |
$37,890 |
$40,340 |
6.1% |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders |
$36.930 |
$37,630 |
1.9% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers |
$33,730 |
$34,700 |
2.8% |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters |
$31,330 |
$31,740 |
1.3% |
| Bakers |
$26,500 |
$27,110 |
2.3% |
| Food Preparation Workers |
$23,320 |
$23,990 |
2.8% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Did You Know?
Good Dirt: Rich agricultural land, a partnership with LiDestri Foods, and infrastructure available at Eastman Business Park are key assets that attracted Love Beets USA to our region.
World-class Wines: Rochester's Finger Lakes Region is New York's largest wine-producing region, accounting for 85% of the state's total production. It's also home to more than 120 wineries, many of which are earning international awards.
Wegmans Food Markets headquartered in Rochester, NY, is recognized on Fortune magazine's list of "100 Best Companies To Work For in America." It is the twenty-second consecutive year Wegmans has made Fortune's Top 100 list. (source: Fortune Magazine, February 2019)
We're home to Constellation Brands, the largest wine company in the world, which produces nearly 9 million cases of wine in New York each year.
Tim Hortons, the Canadian quick-service restaurant franchise, roasts all of its coffee in the Rochester area. This roasting supports the two billion cups of Tim Hortons coffee that are served annually throughout North America. This volume is second only to Starbucks.
The New York Wine and Culinary Center opened in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region to serve as a gateway to New York's food, wine, and agriculture attractions.
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