Taste NY market inside the Long Island Welcome Center

The new Long Island Welcome Center between exits 51 and 52 on the Long Island Expressway features a Taste NY market that sells produce and products exclusively from New York State.

The new Long Island Welcome Center building cost the state $20.2 million, and it shows. The exterior is outfitted with a scaled-down Montauk lighthouse and other colorful nautical motifs.

All food at the market is ordered and picked up at a counter, and there is a light-filled, nearly 2,000-square-foot dining room in which to eat it.

At the Taste NY market, the focus is on local food.

Apple cider doughnuts from Jericho Cider Mill and coffee roasted by Georgio's of Farmingdale are among the local products sold at the new Long Island Welcome Center in Dix Hills.

Confections from Aquebogue-based North Fork Chocolate Company are sold at the new New Long Island Welcome Center.

Locally made preserves, baked goods and spice mixtures are among the New York State products sold at the market and rest stop.

All the produce at the market comes from New York State.

Spice mixtures from Crimson & Clove in Cutchogue are among the local products at Taste NY.

Visitors can pick up pickles from Farmingdale-based Divine Brine.

North Fork potato chips are also available.

Every sandwich and salad (both $7) features at least one New York-grown or -produced item, be it Tumbleweed Cheddar cheese from Goshen or preserved vegetables from Katchkie farm in Kinderhook.

Cheeses from a number of New York dairies are among the fresh items.

Milk and yogurt from the Hudson Valley's Ronnybrook dairy is sold at the Taste NY market.

Visitors can scoop up Joe & Liza's ice cream, made in Sag Harbor.

There will be a farmers market inside the Welcome Center on Saturdays through Nov. 20, 2016, and again when it reopens in June.