Located in the Northeastern United States, New York is one of the country's agricultural leaders. It ranks within the top five states in producing a number of products, such as dairy, apples, grapes, tart cherries, pears, cabbage, fresh-market sweet corn, snap beans, pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, green peas, cauliflower, and maple syrup.

Milk, New York 's leading agricultural product and official beverage, is produced throughout the state. Many important "firsts" in the dairy industry occurred in New York State -for example, the first milk-processing plant was built in 1861 by Alanson Slaughter in Wallkill, NY . Also, in 1850, the first cheese factory in the United States was opened in Oneida County.

New York also has a rich food history, laying claim to the beginnings of many "All-American" classic foods. One of the U.S.'s favorite snack foods, potato chips, originated at the Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga Springs, NY. In response to a picky guest who felt Chef George Crum's French-fried potatoes were cut too thick (even after sending them back to the kitchen a couple of times), Chef Crum produced French fries that were extremely thin and crisp. The guest loved them, and soon Crum's potato chips were added to the menu as "Saratoga Chips." Potato chips were popular primarily in the New England region until the 1920s, when Herman Lay helped popularize them in the south and, eventually, nationally.

Another New York "first" is a popular appetizer- Buffalo chicken wings. Therese Bellisimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, came up with the idea to fry chicken wings; add a tangy sauce made with cayenne pepper sauce, white vinegar, margarine, salt, and garlic; and serve them with bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks.

In addition, Harry Magely, catering director of New York City 's Polo Grounds, and Charles Feltman, of Feltman's Gardens in Coney Island amusement park, are both credited for putting a hot dog into a warm bun and topping it with various condiments.

Some other interesting New York food facts include:

• The first ready-made mayonnaise was sold at Richard Hellman's New York deli in 1905
• Thousand Island dressing was created by Sophia LaLonde in Clayton, NY
• Dr. Henry Thatcher invented the milk bottle in Potsdam, NY in 1884
• Margarine was first made by Henry W. Bradley in Binghamton, NY

• Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Cheesecake

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• Bake a Hudson Valley Apple Pie

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