SUNY New Paltz Debuts Food Industry Council

The School of Business at the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz has formed the New Paltz Food Industry Council (NPFIC), a new partnership of local business leaders in and around upstate New York's Hudson Valley, with the aim of aiding the development of a food retail management program within the business school's existing marketing curriculum.

The NPFIC will include representatives of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC): Bread Alone, Satin Fine Foods, Morningnewsbeat, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Adams Fairacre Farms, County of Ulster Office of Economic Development, Constellation Brands, Bozzuto's, ShopRite, AdLife, Acosta Brokerage, Johnson O’Hare Brokers, Triple Eight Marketing, and Brian Harris.

Additionally, the School of Business will join the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance (HVFBA), a network of regional business owners, industry executives and academicians, united by HVEDC, that works to strengthen and capitalize on the area’s reputation as a food and drink destination.

"The food industry is one of the most vibrant and thriving areas of our economy," said Russell J. Zwanka, a lecturer at the business school and CEO of retail food consultancy Triple Eight Marketing, who is leading the relationship-building efforts with regional retail food businesses. "This groundbreaking food offering will set SUNY New Paltz apart from the crowd and give our students valuable skills needed to be successful in today’s environment."

Zwanka will become a strategic adviser to the HVFBA, in which capacity he'll collaborate with members and stakeholders of HVEDC, helping to strengthen ties between the business school and the local business community.

SUNY New Paltz's expansion of food-focused programming will also include membership in the Category Management Association and the National Grocers Association (NGA) University Coalition.