34 THE QUEENS COURIER • QUEENS BUSINESS • SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
queens business
Queens Public Library accepting applications for food business program
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Queens Public Library is now accepting
applications for Queens FEASTS, its
culinary program that off ers training and
mentorship for people seeking to start or
grow their food businesses.
The Food Entrepreneurship and
Services Training Space (FEASTS) has
proven so successful since 2016, teaching
students on how to be successful in today’s
highly competitive food industry, that
QPL, the city’s Economic Development
Corporation and Queens Borough
President Melinda Katz announced
in March that the program would be
expanded to more library branches.
Th ose interested can now apply on QPL’s
website for any of the 12-week courses
off ered at the following branches: Central
at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica, where
FEASTS originated will off er the program
in fall 2019, winter 2019 and spring 2020;
Long Island City at 37-44 21st St. in fall
2019; Flushing at 41-17 Main St. in winter
2019; and the Queens Library for Teens
at 2002 Cornaga Ave. in Far Rockaway in
spring 2020.
“QPL is thrilled to assist people looking
to build their food business,” Queens
FEASTS Manager Monique Hector said.
“Th is program helps them meet their
aspirations, while contributing to one of
New York City’s most vital industries.”
Initially known as Jamaica FEASTS, the
expansion followed a spike in the number
of interested applicants, nearly 60 percent
of whom lived outside the greater
Jamaica area.
“With the expansion to other communities
in Queens, more of our customers
will have the opportunity to meet their
ambition to thrive in New York City’s
most dynamic sectors,” QPL President
and CEO Dennis Walcott said.
Graduates of the program have received
Vendy Awards and Good Food Award, have
been showcased at the NYC Wine and Food
Festival, and have participated at major
events including the Queens International
Night Market and the Brooklyn Army
Terminal Centennial Celebration.
“FEASTS has played a pivotal role in
proving training and business development
to support the next generation
of culinary entrepreneurs in Queens,”
NYCEDC President and CEO James
Patchett said. “Th is program’s success is
evidenced by the number of students
who have grown their businesses, and in
turn are helping to create new jobs and
strengthen local economies.”
Participants learn the fundamentals
of the food industry through interactive
workshops and training, gain insight from
industry experts, and receive one-on-one
individual assistance from counselors.
Th e Flushing course will off er training in
English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL).
Photo by Corazon Aguirre
Champions of workers’ rights at
inaugural Salute to Labor awards
BY QNS STAFF
Th e workers’ rights movement in New
York has made great strides in the last several
years — the state has one of the highest
rates of unionization in the country —
and these triumphs provided the backdrop
for the fi rst-ever Leaders of Labor
Awards on Sept. 4 at Terrace on the Park
in Queens.
Presented by Schneps Media and
sponsored by New York State Nurses
Association, UAW Region 9A, NYS
Laborers, District Council 9, CSEA,
Healthplex, Neurological Surgery P.C.,
and Cary Kane LLP, the dinner and
awards event featured labor leaders, delegates,
partners, allies and supporters of
the union movement.
New York City Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams delivered a powerful
keynote address, rallying the audience
with “Union Town” chants. Guests
also heard from Brooklyn Borough
President Eric L. Adams, Bronx Borough
President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Queens
Borough President and Queens District
Attorney candidate Melinda Katz. New
York Senator Diane Savino kept the evening
fl owing as the night’s emcee, building
upon years of established relationships
from her past experience as a labor leader.
In addition to celebrating, Schneps
Media raised money to benefi t the
FealGood Foundation, which supports
workers suff ering from 9/11-related cancer
and illnesses.
Click HERE to view the photos from
the event.
Due to the tremendous success of the
event, Schneps Media is now opening
nominations for the 2020 Leaders of
Labor Awards, slated for Sept. 17, 2020.
Nominate an outstanding union member
or executive who exemplifi es dignity
and respect for all working men and
women and advances women to leadership
roles or promotes apprenticeship,
education and training programs
by emailing Jasmin Freeman at jfreeman@
schnepsmedia.com or call 718-
260-4512.
Courtesy of Queens Public Library
A food business incubator program at Queens
Public Library has expanded to more branches
around the borough.
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