I wanted to provide an update on our efforts to establish a Cuisine Trail here in Essex County. The organizational committee met and has made some preliminary decisions. First, based on the geographic diversity of Essex County, the committee proposes to establish two cuisine trails. In addition, based on where the proposed trails traverse, the committee has also established the names of the trails. Although the committee sees tremendous merit in both these decisions, they are proposals at this time and before an actual application is made to the state, we will have another stakeholder meeting to further explain our rationale.

For the particulars: The committee is recommending the Champlain Valley Cuisine Trail which will originate in Ticonderoga and terminate in Keeseville. The trail will follow the routes of 22 and 9N and will be approximately 70 miles in length. The second recommendation is the Ausable Valley Cuisine Trail which would originate in Keeseville and follow the routes of 9N to Keene, 73 to Lake Placid and 86 to Saranac Lake and will be approximately 51 miles in length. These two routes geographically represent the vast majority of food producers and other related entities for Essex County. Because of the limitations within state regulation, the committee believes that these routes encompass the greatest number of participants to promote our area.

Each committee member now has the task of reaching out to potential participants of these trails and gauging their interest and support. Once we have concluded this outreach within the next few weeks, we will assemble all the information and set a date for the next stakeholder meeting. In addition, we will be putting together an online survey for the establishment of these trails to elicit public comments. This survey can be shared via social media to obtain the broadest feedback possible.

Lastly, I had the opportunity to participate in a delightful conversation with a group of like-minded individuals in Franklin County. Led by Ernest Hohmeyer of Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat, a group of visionaries are contemplating a cuisine trail for Franklin County and are seeking to collaborate with us. I find the idea of regional cooperation inspiring and the committee looks forward to working with Franklin County in establishing a “Cuisine Partnership”!

As always, thank you for your support in establishing another exciting chapter in the wonderful story that is the Adirondacks!

Jay White
President – Board of Directors
Cornell Cooperative Extension Essex County

Related articles

• Taco Night at Ausable Brewing Company (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Essex County Cuisine Trail Progress (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)