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Cheryl Thayer

Cheryl Thayer

Local Food Distribution & Marketing Specialist

CCE Erie County
21 South Grove Street
East Aurora, NY 14052

phone 607-592-9507


Areas of Interest
Food-to-Institution Programs, Farm-Based Beverages, Local Food Promotion

Cheryl's work aims to increase investment and jobs in agriculture and food systems to enhance the viability of farms through expansion, value-added production, diversification, and distribution of locally produced farm goods. Through a coordinated effort, Cheryl partners with community organizations, economic development organizations, government entities, Cornell faculty, and agricultural producers to develop programs designed to strengthen the regional food system, both in direct-to-consumer and wholesale markets. Cheryl earned her Bachelors from Penn State, and her Masters of Public Administration from Cornell University, where she concentrated her studies in Environmental Policy. While attending Cornell, Cheryl conducted food systems planning work, both domestically and internationally. Prior to attending grad school, Cheryl worked in the corporate food system sector in New York City.


calendar of events

Upcoming Events

Fluid Milk Processing for Quality and Safety (Online Course)

July 1 - December 31, 2018

This online workshop (with rolling registration) is designed for those involved and interested in fluid milk processing and testing with the intent of providing the tools to support and improve on quality assurance/control and food safety programs for bottled milks. While the course design assumes participants have some prior knowledge of dairy microbiology & processing (e.g., Dairy Science & Sanitation Course), critical concepts will be reviewed and expanded on for those who do not. This course can be taken as a stand-along program, but it also fulfills the core training requirement of a Cornell Dairy Foods Certificate for Fluid Milk Processing for Quality and Safety after all required prerequisite courses have been taken (e.g., Dairy Science & Sanitation, HACCP, HTST).
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Dairy Science and Sanitation Workshop (VT)

September 25 - September 26, 2018
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Colchester, VT

The Dairy Science and Sanitation Workshop is tailored to dairy processing personnel and is designed to help participants understand the basic principles of dairy science and safety, as well as emphasize dairy processing establishment needs related to dairy sanitation to ensure that proper programs are conducted in their establishments. 
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Writing Your Business & Marketing Plan

October 18, 2018
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Watertown, NY

This session is designed for those who are looking to take their business to the next level. It will include discussion and coverage of the components and considerations for a strong business plan in addition to an in depth look at the marketing plan. This course will also provide you with a template to complete the respective plans.
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Announcements

Growing for Wholesale Guidelines Available

Grading and packing guidelines are now available for 17 commonly grown specialty crops in NYS: acorn squash, broccoli crowns, Brussels sprouts, corn, green peppers, cucumbers, green cabbage, red cabbage, savory cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, jalapenos, poblanos, Hungarian hot peppers, summer squash, and zucchini.

Acceptable quality standards and common defects that should be sorted out on the grading line are depicted in these resources, both visually and in outline form. Find all of the grading sheets here.

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