Pictured: Cargill Cares Committee lead, Jerry Dunlavey and Diana Warn present $20,000 check to The Arc of Schuyler’s Director of Business Services, Wendy Shutter and Sales Manager, Kelly Miller.
The Arc of Schuyler hosted a public open house April 16 for its new food manufacturing facility, Glen Copack, at its 203 12th Street location in Watkins Glen.
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Cargill storeroom manager and Cargill Cares community lead, Jerry Dunlavey, and Diana Warn presented The Arc of Schuyler a check for $20,000, the first installment of a three-year $60,000 pledge.
The Cargill grant will go towards costs associated with the next phase of The Arc’s Glen Copack project, a safe food production and career readiness-training program. The Arc is collaborating with Watkins Glen School on the program, which will be open to people with and without disabilities. The goal is to help develop a workforce with technical skills and work skills that regional businesses need in entry-level employees.
Director of Business Services, Wendy Shutter and Sales Manager, Kelly Miller received the check on behalf of The Arc of Schuyler.
“Renovations to the facility are almost complete and new equipment has been ordered,” Shutter said. “Once equipment is installed, production capacity will double. The space has been designed to also allow for future expansion.”
Glen Copack is certified by NYS Ag & Markets to produce dry ingredient and acidified and low-acidified food products. The business currently produces about 40 products for a dozen customers including local and international businesses. The facility is about 5,000 sq. ft. and after recent renovations has separate wet-fill and dry-fill kitchens to increase efficiency and capacity. A new GMP Ready Room provides space for employees to participate in training and prepare for work in the secure production area.
The Glen Copack team guided attendees through the new facility and thanked the many grantors and local donors of The Arc’s ongoing capital campaign. Glen Copack is one of the projects supported by the campaign, which has about $100,000 remaining to raise.
Tours are available for those interested by emailing glencopack@arcofschuyler.org or call 607.535.6934.
For more information, visit www.arcofschuyler.org or www.glencopack.org.