Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave his 2019 State of the State address this week, outlining his vision for New York State, and some of the policies his administration will hope to pass — with the help of a Democratic legislature.

With each State of the State comes a summarized agenda, published in a book released on the same day as the governor’s address. Within that book, called the “Justice Agenda” this year, are several sections about key issues, such as taxes, infrastructure, economic development, etc. In the section on supporting rural and agricultural economies, the governor’s office wrote:

“State support of the Finger Lakes region’s food ecosystem also includes enhancing career-development options. Foodlink, the region’s largest food bank and community food resource center, will establish a culinary arts apprenticeship program. This innovative new program — the first apprenticeship program of its kind in the state — will provide a career pathway for disadvantaged populations and expand the region’s skilled, food-production workforce.”

JUSTICE AGENDA: Download and/or read the booklet

Cuomo is referring to our new Foodlink Career Fellowship, which launched this past July. Its inaugural class of participants is now more than halfway done, and just a few months away from starting their externship at Wegmans. Last week, we heard that the Department of Labor officially approved the fellowship as the state’s first culinary training apprenticeship.

We hope to share more about this important achievement in the weeks ahead!