Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn both emphasized the importance of New York City’s food manufacturers when speaking at Baruch College this morning, the site of the NYC Food Manufacturers Business Expo.

Mayor Bloomberg addressing the NYC Food Manufacturers Business Expo

Bloomberg mentioned that food  represents a $5 billion industry in New York City,  responsible for 19,000 jobs, and employment growing at 14%.   In her talk, Quinn mentioned that NY City exports 7% of its goods and services, vs. 12% export of goods and services across the U.S., and the city is getting behind its food processors to help close that gap.  Seth Pinsky head of the NYEDC spoke next, about how his organization is working to bolster the chances of immigrants to succeed as entrepreneurs, given that they often lack a national network of contacts.

As a further show of support and interest in the food industry, the city today launched a new website: NYC Food.

Exhibitors at the Expo included Brewla Bars, Esposito’s Fine Quality Sausage Products and Davidovich Bagels, but as Mayor Bloomberg discovered when he showed up to make his remarks, no coffee.    One of his aides went across 25th street to grab him a cup.