Amy's reports 'difficulty keeping up with orders' Goshen chamber hears update on fast-growing organic food business coming to town
By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — The Goshen community was treated to breakfast and an update on the progress of Amy’s, a food production plant slated for construction in the Town of Goshen.
Amy’s provided a sampling of their breakfast food items for the 100 people who attended the Goshen Chamber of Commerce meeting on Nov. 5 at Glen Arden.
“Amy’s is going through the planning board process,” said Tom Richman, planner for the project, adding that the board is starting to prepare comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS).
He added that because of Amy’s rapid expansion, the Science of the Soul building has been removed from the original Echo Lake site.
Mesh Tandon, representing Science of the Soul, said sites are currently being evaluated. As a separate entity, the facility doesn’t need to be close to the Amy’s plant.
Bill Fioravanti, director of business attraction for Orange County Partnership, Office of Economic Development, noted that talks have gone on since 2013 to find an appropriate home for Amy’s.
“It’s a great operation," he said of the business. "They’re great people, committed to their mission.”
30 percent average growth reported
Richman recapped much of the data regarding Amy’s that had been presented at previous meetings: It’s a family-owned business that promotes family, farm, and food. Owners Rachel and Andy Berliner work together to run the business, with no board of directors to answer to; offers about 700 jobs; average yearly salary is $37,000; about $10 million a year spent locally for facility supplies and services; educational scholarship program; free medical care onsite; and outreach to employees through celebrations, like Christmastime and Cinco de Mayo.
Stressing benefits for Goshen and the surrounding area, Richman said, “Amy’s is a huge opportunity for the area. Two-thirds of the food is sourced close to the facility.” Amy’s will help farmers with organic farming. He noted New York’s strong dairy industry is a plus.
Amy’s is experiencing a 30 percent average growth per year and is having difficulty keeping up with orders. With 60 percent of its business east of the Mississippi, the Goshen facility will reduce shipping costs, allowing Amy’s to offer a bigger variety of food products in the east, said Richman.
Dimensions for the proposed building: 385,000 square feet for production, 3,000 square feet for a medical facility; and 200,000 square feet for storage.
Plans for Science of the Soul
Tandon spoke of the spiritual philosophy of Science of the Soul, which includes a vegetarian diet, abstinence from intoxicants, a moral way of life and the practice of daily meditation.
He noted there are no rituals, ceremonies, hierarchies or mandatory contributions, or compulsory gatherings. Members may retain their religion and cultural identity.
Science of the Soul has a presence in 90 countries worldwide. Said Tandon, “It is a registered non-profit society with no affiliation to any political or commercial organizations.”
What is planned for this area is a Science of the Soul Study Centre where meetings are held and members do voluntary service, like building and grounds maintenance. The 12,000 people who come to the area for three days for the once a year meeting, will spend between four and five million dollars on hotels, restaurants, transportation, food and shopping, Tandon explained. The centres are not used for social events, ceremonies, or fundraising activities.
He said the Soul Study Centres are designed to be harmonious with local architectural styles and built according to good environmental standards.
Said Tandon, “Concern for the environment is reflected in such activities as water management, stream and wetland preservation and restoration, organic farming, and historical buildings restoration. Food grown at some centres is donated to local food banks.”
About 120 acres is needed for a Science of the Soul Centre to accommodate the large number of people who attend and parking space. A smaller congregation meets once a week.
“The Berliners show real sincerity and are good for the community,” said Town Supervisor Doug Bloomfield. “They look after the people who work for them. They can because it’s a family owned operation versus a big organization driven by other considerations."