Area Development
Bartlett Dairy and Food Service has been selected to develop a 56,000 square foot distribution, headquarters and manufacturing center on a significant portion of the 7.3 acre John F. Kennedy International Airport North Site in the borough of Queens, New York. The site is one of the largest city-owned manufacturing zoned properties.

According to New York City Economic Development Corporation officials, EDC selected Bartlett because of their ability to meet the industrial manufacturing criteria, for their commitment to the City’s Living Wage and NYCEDC’s hire NYC requirements, as well as meeting a 30% MWBE contracting goal for design and construction.

Moreover, Bartlett Dairy was selected because it employs 75% of its workforce from Queens and Brooklyn, for their ability to help strengthen the city’s food economy and connectivity between upstate and the City, and because they provide extensive training and career movement for their employees, EDC officials added.

Part of the real estate transaction with Bartlett involved receiving NYCIDA tax benefits to facilitate relocation to the JFK North Site, retain approximately 200 existing jobs and the creation of 50 new permanent jobs. Development of the JFK North site, which is expected to create 91 construction jobs, will commence in fall 2018, with completion expected in fall 2020.

"The selection of Bartlett Dairy and Food Service will help preserve nearly 200 jobs, while creating 50 new full-time positions, providing more employment opportunities for New Yorkers of all backgrounds," said NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer. "Additionally, Bartlett Dairy's redevelopment of the JFK North Site into a manufacturing and distribution center will reinforce the City's dairy supply, bridge the upstate and downstate food economy, and revitalize the JFK Industrial Business Zone."

"Bartlett Dairy is a quality milk and dairy product distribution company with a long history of experience in serving the New York City region. It is essential a milk and dairy product manufacturing operation be located in New York City for many reasons, including the ability to service inner city neighborhood delis, bodegas, schools, food service operations as well as supermarkets with fresh local milk and dairy products,” said Bruce W. Krupke, Exec Executive Vice President Northeast Dairy Foods Association, Inc. “With a milk processor located in the City operated by Bartlett Dairy, they will provide an alternative supplier for wholesale customers to choose from, which will help ensure consumers can choose not only a quality local made product but a competitively priced one as well."

Bartlett Dairy is a minority-owned, family-run dairy and dry goods distribution company that has been in operation since 1968. The Queens-based company employs over 400 people across three locations in Jamaica, Newark and Rochester and delivers dry and perishable goods to schools, hotels, grocery, and restaurants amongst others. Their largest contracts include the New York City Department of Education, the Archdiocese of New York, and Starbucks.