Food and Beverage Manufacturing
From farm to factory to fridge, fast. Explore our full range of resources for food and beverage companies.
Photo by Matt Whittmeyer
More Than 250 Food and Beverage Companies and Suppliers Are Located in the Greater Rochester, NY region
Benefits of Growing Your Food & Beverage Business in the Greater Rochester, NY region
Leverage a 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.
Stay Close to Major Markets Without Major Market Costs
More than 128 million people are within a day’s drive of Rochester. 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.
Tap Into a Highly Skilled Workforce
The region has more than 10,000 employed in the food and beverage manufacturing sectors.
(Source: NYS Dept. of Labor analysis of Quarterly Census Employment and Wages, 2023)
Photo by Matt Wittmeyer
What Makes Rochester Unique?
Take Advantage of Abundant Agricultural Resources
The combination of 1.5 million acres of rich, fertile land with access to an unlimited supply of fresh water gives the Greater Rochester, NY region an incredible supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, and wine. Approximately 29% of New York State agricultural sales are produced by our area’s 5,500+ farms.
(Source: USDA Census of Agriculture, 2022)
Home to the #1 Milk Producing Region in NYS
New York is the third-largest milk-producing state in the U.S. The Greater Rochester, NY region is the #1 milk-producing region in New York. This abundant milk supply was one of the reasons companies like fairlife chose to expand in our region.
Gain Access to Unlimited Supply of 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.
Top Wine Destination in the US
Sip on this. The Greater Rochester’s Finger Lakes region was named America’s Best Wine Region. (source: USA Today and 10Best.com, 2019)
It is also home to more than 140 wineries. Must be something in the water. And the dirt.
#3 Apple Producing County in the US
When it comes to apples, we’re naturally hard core. Our region is home to the third-highest apple-producing county in the country. No wonder we’re tops with Mott’s.
Utilize R & D Resources
Cornell University and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) provide expertise to support research in agriculture and farming technology; food manufacturing and packaging; and food security and nutrition.
Notable Food and Beverage Companies in Rochester, NY
There are more than 250 food and beverage manufacturing companies in the Greater Rochester, NY region.
Manufacturer of dessert toppings, sauces, syrups, and condiments
Manufacturer of pasta products
Leading international producer and marketer of wine, beer and spirits
Manufacturer of Cool Whip and Lunchables
Contract manufacturer of sauces, dips, and beverages
Leading producer of applesauce and fruit juices
Manufacturer of alcoholic beverages
Producer of canned and bottled fruits and vegetables
Fluid milk processing and manufacturing
Regional grocery store chain, consistently ranked by Fortune as one of the best companies to work for in America.
World-class talent at competitive rates below the national average.
| Position | Rochester Annual Mean Wage | National Annual Mean Wage | Rochester Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineers | $82,750 | $122,910 | 32.7% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | $38,900 | $39,970 | 2.7% |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,630 | $36,140 | 1.4% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,510 | $49,260 | 3.6% |
| Light Truck Drivers | $43,840 | $46,090 | 4.9% |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,520 | $41,000 | 3.6% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $37,700 | $41,000 | 8.0% |
Find Affordable Market Ready Sites
Market ready sites and facilities offer low-cost utilities, solid infrastructure, low-cost supply of water and wastewater capacity, and pre-permitting secured. Search GRE’s sites and buildings directory.
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Greater Rochester, New York’s Key Industries
Encompassing everything from precision-engineered technologies to the latest breakthroughs in your favorite foods and beverages, the Rochester region has it all.
Greater Rochester, NY – Where smart people live and smart businesses grow.
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
The Rochester region provided convenient access to both railroads and major highways, as well as proximity to Barilla’s customer base in the Northeast.
Fabio Pettenati
Vice President of Supply Chain, Barilla America
You know your business.
We know Greater Rochester.
Let’s team up.
Photo by John Kucko
Thank You To Our Investors
High tech companies know Rochester as the optics mecca in the United States.
Matt Sydor
Vice President, Sales and Compliance, Sydor Optics
At Toyota Material Handling North America, which is comprised of two main group companies – Toyota Material Handling and The Raymond Corporation – we are committed to leading the way in energy innovation. We believe that the Greater Rochester, NY region shares that commitment, and is the ideal location to establish our cutting-edge energy storage and fuel cell development center.”
Jennifer Lupo
Vice President of Energy Solutions, Supply Chain, and Leasing, The Raymond Corporation
Rochester has a great work base. They’re loyal. They’re smart. They’re well educated and they want to succeed.
Jim Continenza
Executive Chairman and CEO, Eastman Kodak
We keep and maintain and are investing specifically in Rochester because that is where the talent is. We don’t succeed without the right talent.
David Velasquez
Vice President and General Manager, Corning Incorporated
Rochester has the manufacturing capability, testing capability, and intellectual horsepower.
Matt Fronk
Past Chairman, NY BEST
Rochester has a deep talent pool around all of the things that we need to do to commercialize advanced materials for the energy economy.
Ben Britton
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Ionomr
The decision to expand locally was a relatively easy one for CooperVision. The Rochester area has provided so many of the elements necessary for a successful operation.
Jerry Warner
President, CooperVision
The proximity to top colleges and industry-leading companies, in addition to the quality of life in Western New York, made the decision to open our second office in Rochester an easy one.
Mike Pinch
Director, Security Risk Advisors
“Rochester is world famous for precision optics manufacturing and photonics.”
Jennifer Cable
President, Thorlabs
We have a long history of people skilled in aerospace technology and precision optical assembly. We take advantage of the industrial base in the Rochester area. We also take advantage of the skill sets developed by our local technical institutions like MCC, RIT, or the University of Rochester.”
Tony Whitman
Cryogenic Optical Test Director for James Webb Space Telescope, L3 Harris
We have inherited an exceptional quality of life thanks to an impressive cluster of cultural organizations, unparalleled natural resources, and a resilient and welcoming spirit of community.
David Munson
President, Rochester Insititute of Technology
Once people get here and their families get used to short commute times, low home prices, the fact we have all kinds of recreational sporting activities, the quality of schools, they don’t want to leave.
Arunas Chesonis
CEO and Chairman, Sweetwater Energy
Rochester has provided ID Signsystems with the ability to grow and develop by tapping into the region’s large pool of design-focused talent, technicians, engineers and sign makers.
Paul Dudley
President, ID Signsystems
Our network of local universities, colleges, and optics companies has created a workforce pipeline that is unmatched anywhere in the United States.
Joseph Spilman
President, Optimax
GRE’s direction and guidance proved to be well worth our investment. Their passion to make the business environment in the Rochester area greater is very apparent.
Scott MacCaull
Workplace Interiors
There is unlimited, untapped technical talent in the area and I hope we start a wave of other companies moving to Rochester.
Austin McChord
Founder, Datto
Rochester has a long history of being a hub for telecommunications. There is a rich ecosystem of talent and services to support business growth.
Jai Ramachandran
Founder and CEO, Wire3
Rochester is the perfect size city to get business done. I’m always one connection away from anything I’m looking for.
Zack Phillips
President, Kink BMX
We have access to talent graduating from our businesses and technical institutions capable of perpetuating our success for years to come.
Marc Iacona
President & CEO, Simcona Electronics
The Rochester region provided convenient access to both railroads and major highways, as well as proximity to Barilla’s customer base in the Northeast.
Fabio Pettenati
Vice President of Supply Chain, Barilla America
We’re excited about this area. There’s high-quality milk in the region. There’s a lot of top talent. The industry, the innovation, the technical experience , the work ethic is all attractive to us.
Phil LaMothe
Vice President of Manufacturing, fairlife
The country is starting to recognize Rochester as a technical city outside of just software. We have optics and manufacturing that’s exceeding most of the baselines around the country.
Craig Lamb
Co-owner, Envative
Rochester has the resources optics companies need to transform their concepts into reality.
Dr. Duncan T. Moore
Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Optical Engineering
Rochester has a great base of intellectual capital in the science and technology fields at local businesses and universities.
Daniel J. Burns
Area Executive for Upstate NY, Western NY, and Pennsylvania, M&T Bank Corporation
We’ve developed vaccines to prevent cervical cancer right here in Rochester.
Peter Robinson
Vice President and COO, University of Rochester Medical Center
Among many great options, none could match Rochester in terms of talent, local supplier networks, and opportunities to partner with top-tier research institutions.
Andy Marsh
CEO, Plug Power