Assembly Resolution No. 901 BY: M. of A. Rules (Barrett) MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 29 - October 9, 2022, as Cider Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to promote and appreciate New York State's natural resources which benefit the lives of its citizens; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 29 - October 9, 2022, as Cider Week in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Cider Week in New York brings people together and creates connections to celebrate and promote New York cider in an exciting way; in 2022, Cider Week will be observed with a myriad of events throughout the entire state including two Cider Week festivals; and WHEREAS, Cider Week New York 2022 will feature many of New York's finest cider producers and will include a hybrid mix of both virtual and in-person events including special flights, virtual tastings, local events, panels, and dinners where individuals can be kept safe and appropriately socially distanced; and WHEREAS, Directly tied to New York's agricultural cash crop of apples, cider in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of over 450% over the past 10 years and now has a $1.6 billion economic impact to the State's economy; with over 140 producers making over five million gallons of cider every year, New York continues to rank first in the country for the number of cider producers; and WHEREAS, The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, a non-profit organization serving food and farming changemakers from New York's Hudson Valley and beyond, launched the inaugural Cider Week in 2010 as an outcome of a travel exchange between French and American cider producers; and WHEREAS, Distinctive products like hard cider evoke a local food culture and sense of place that is closely tied to agriculture in addition to garnering more profit for farmers; recognizing these opportunities while addressing the still-real obstacles faced by our farming community, Glynwood's goal was to foster a cider market in the Hudson Valley as the linchpin in a chain of positive social, environmental, economic and community benefits; and WHEREAS, After over 10 years of successful growth, Cider Weeks in New York are now a production of the New York Cider Association, and continue to cultivate an appreciation for New York's orchard-based cider by showcasing New York cider's diversity, food-friendliness, and excellent quality in cider production; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges this exceptional natural resource and its contributions to the local and State economies; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 29 - October 9, 2022, as Cider Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.