NEWBURGH, N.Y. – SUNY Orange and Orange County FoodTEC partnered today to cut the ribbon on a newly renovated commercial kitchen and training space located in the former cafeteria of the Tower Building on the College’s Newburgh campus.

Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president and chair of the Orange County FoodTEC Board of Directors, was joined by elected officials, College and FoodTEC leadership, and community partners to celebrate completion of Phase I renovations and to tout FoodTEC’s workforce training and certification courses as the catalyst in creating a pipeline of skilled workers for the region’s growing food, beverage and hospitality industries.

A not-for-profit aligned with SUNY Orange, Orange County FoodTEC has begun to offer workforce training and related skills programming in concert with the College’s newly branded SUNY Orange Plus suite of non-credit offerings. The Tower Building space unveiled Friday will become the flagship hub of FoodTEC’s training and education programming.

“Today is a very significant milestone in the early life of Orange County FoodTEC, and I am most pleased to celebrate what the College and our FoodTEC team have accomplished,” Young said. “This gleaming new space demonstrates what is possible when we all work hand-in-hand to first identify, then address, the needs of growing workforce sectors. The renovations that have already been completed, and the enhancements to come, will allow both employees and employers in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors to succeed and prosper.

“There are so many people to thank for helping us initially get FoodTEC off the ground and then for helping us breathe new life into this long-dormant kitchen and cafeteria space,” Young added.

The recently completed Phase I work on the Orange County Food Training Education Center included upgrading mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, designing and executing renovations to the commercial kitchen area and adjoining training space, replacing/adding food service equipment, and updating kitchen and dining area lighting. In total, just more than 3,300 square feet of kitchen and dining areas were fully or partially renovated during this phase, at a cost of approximately $630,000.

Phase II planning is under way and work will begin in earnest once the necessary grants, donations or funding is secured. It will include further kitchen upgrades (additional dishwashing, baking and kitchen equipment), installation of a barista area for training and events, and creation of a contemporary new classroom that could seat as many as 30 students adjacent to the kitchen and dining areas.

Funding for programming during both phases of work, and beyond, has been secured through federal Community Projects Funding (CPF) via the United States House of Representatives while some capital funding has come from a pair of New York State and Municipal (SAM) facilities grants—one from the Senate and one from the Assembly—and support from Central Hudson, which presented the College with a check from its community economic development grant program during Friday’s event.

Orange County FoodTEC will use the federal CPF monies to help relieve and reduce adult and youth unemployment/underemployment and provide for additional employment in Orange County and the region. The initiative will provide and support workforce development opportunities to assist low-income job seekers and workers in obtaining and advancing in jobs that provide sustaining wages and benefits, primarily in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors, and aid in the economic development of Orange County and its surrounding areas. 

FoodTEC has already begun offering a modest array of food safety training courses. Since the Summer of 2023, FoodTEC has enrolled 200 students into industry-recognized certificate trainings in food safety and hospitality. The 31 students in its initial 15-week food industry workforce development programs have recently begun using the renovated kitchen space. Longer-term planning calls for growing industry partnerships to better understand the regional food industries’ workforce needs, allowing FoodTEC to continue creating in-demand programming while also enhancing utilization of the commercial kitchen and training space to support the needs of food-based communities.

For more information, contact Jhack Sepulveda, FoodTEC executive director, at jhack.sepulveda@sunyorange.edu or visit www.sunyorange.edu/plus.

James Skoufis, New York State Senator: “SUNY Orange continues to lead the way in workforce development, building programs that ensure their students enter the workforce prepared to succeed. FoodTEC will not only benefit those who take part, but all of Orange County’s hospitality economy will be strengthened as a result. I’m proud to have been a part of funding the commercial kitchen's major renovation and look forward to seeing the program's continued success.”

Rob Rolison, New York State Senator: “This is an important milestone for both SUNY Orange and our region's expanding hospitality industry. When I first learned of the burgeoning FoodTEC program in 2022, I was immediately supportive. Food-and-beverage industry jobs are in high demand and cannot be outsourced nor automated out of existence. They are here to stay, and at the cutting edge of consumer taste here in the Hudson Valley. Congratulations to SUNY Orange, its leadership, and FoodTEC’s current and future trainees on this positive occasion and best of luck in the development of the program.”

Jonathan Jacobson, New York State Assembly: “Just as we don’t want to build a bridge to nowhere, we can’t have workforce development that does not lead to a good-paying career. The way to accomplish this is to make sure that the skills being taught are needed by employers. By working with employers on the curriculum, this program will be successful. I look forward to meeting your successful graduates soon.”

Tom Weddell, chair, SUNY Orange Board of Trustees: “Celebrating the completion of this facility today seems to be an ideal fit in the timeline of SUNY Orange. This year the College is in the midst of celebrating our 75th anniversary. Our anniversary slogan is “Transforming Lives for 75 Years.” Certainly, we believe our FoodTEC programming, in this rejuvenated space, will truly be transformational.”

Dr. Jean Leandre, vice president for workforce, strategy and innovation, SUNY Orange: “People and employers are ultimately the fabric of a great economy and region. And as the community’s college, it’s our responsibility to support that ecosystem. Together, we’re building a foundation for growth, opportunity, and transformation—one that will empower individuals and strengthen the economic fabric of Orange County. This ribbon-cutting is the first step, and I want to thank everyone who made it possible.”

Anthony Campagiorni, executive vice president of public affairs, Central Hudson: “Central Hudson is proud to partner with SUNY Orange as it works to expand its FoodTEC Culinary Arts Workforce program. We believe in the power of education and workforce development to drive economic growth and create sustainable career opportunities in our community. This grant underscores our commitment to fostering local talent and supporting initiatives that enhance the vitality of the Hudson Valley.”

Jhack Sepulveda, executive director, Orange County FoodTEC: “In the next three years, we are committed to promoting economic mobility through culinary, hospitality, and tourism education, so that the Orange County Food Training Education Center can be a food industry training hub that ultimately transforms lives by providing high-quality, accessible training, fostering individual growth and community transformation.”

FoodTEC student Georgina Forrest: There are not words I can express to you how grateful I am for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of something great. It’s really a life-changing experience that teaches me when you are down, don’t be afraid to get up and try again. I would love to encourage anyone who has been in a situation where life gets hard: don’t be afraid! Put Faith over Fear! This is best medicine. Thank you for putting this awesome FoodTEC program together.”

About SUNY Orange

Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) enrolls approximately 4,000 full- and part-time students across 40 degree and certificate programs. With campuses in Middletown and Newburgh, the College has grown to meet the needs of its students, while also addressing the demands of a growing and diverse population in the Hudson Valley. Consistent with its mission to provide high-quality and accessible educational and enrichment opportunities, the College is noted for its commitment to ensuring student success. Since its founding in 1950, the College has earned its reputation as a pioneer and innovator in meeting the needs of its students and contributing to a vibrant and thriving community. Learn more about SUNY Orange at www.sunyorange.edu.

Captions

Top image: Student Georgina Forrest cuts the ribbon celebrating the completion of renovations to the commercial kitchen that is the central element of the new Orange County Food Training Education Center in the Tower Building on the Newburgh campus of SUNY Orange. FoodTEC offers workforce training and certification courses in order to create a pipeline of skilled workers for the region’s growing food, beverage and hospitality industries. (photo by Justin Cole)

Middle image: Jhack Sepulveda, executive director of Orange County FoodTEC, discusses the recently completed renovations to the Orange County Food Training Education Center kitchen following Friday’s ribbon cutting at the facility in the Tower Building on the SUNY Orange Newburgh campus. (photo by Justin Cole)

Bottom image: Culinary arts student Georgina Forrest addresses the audience during Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Orange County Food Training Education Center on the Newburgh campus of SUNY Orange. Forrest is soon to complete her 15-week culinary arts course, which utilizes the renovated kitchen for FoodTEC, which will serve as a workforce training hub for the region’s food, beverage and hospitality sectors (photo by Justin Cole)

What Others Are Saying:

Bill Fiorvanti, Orange County IDA: “I’m excited not only for the great opportunities for the students but also the great opportunities for our area businesses. The hospitality sector is yearning for home-grown talent and this facility will allow students to hone their skills. The environment emulates what they will find in the real world.”

Linda Malave, NYS Empire Development: “I was here for the original walk-through when this was a concept. To be here today, and see that it has come to life is amazing. See the smiling students gathered here and all of this amazing food is a real win.”

Fred Watson, former SUNY Orange Trustee and member of inaugural FoodTEC Board of Directors: “A lot of smart people put their heads together and really made something happen. I was in this facility for years and to see it transformed is tremendous. I expect more big things and more partnerships are coming.”

Maureen Halahan, Orange County Partnership: “This was inspiring! This is the culmination of a tremendous amount of work and is the new recipe for the College.”