Cheese and ice cream from the north country were among the featured products at a Pride of New York dinner in Cuba.

State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick M. Hooker and 19 farmers, growers and agricultural leaders took part in the state's first agricultural trade mission to Cuba from April 21 to 23, according to a release from Mr. Hooker's office.

As part of the trip, the group provided 30 Cuban buyers with a meal consisting solely of New York state products, including cheese from McCadam Cheese in Chateaugay and wine ice cream from Mercer's Dairy in Boonville.

"The purpose of the trade mission was to open communications between New York producers and Cuban buyers in hopes of tapping into the more than $350 million the U.S. exports to Cuba annually," the release said.

U.S. companies have been allowed to sell agricultural, food and medical products to Cuba since October 2000.