join.UPCYCLE

Fostering community and collaboration with small business owners, we invite locals and visitors for a delicious and fun experience in the beautiful Upstate NY Catskills region.

Food & Beverages

UPCYCLE Brews & Bites hit the road in 2022 with our super-cute mobile food trailer, cruising through Upstate New York and spreading good vibes one bite at a time. What started as a love for food quickly turned into a rolling cultural exchange—where every stop becomes part of the experience we share with you. We pop up at local farmers markets, festivals, and private events serving a tasty, no-fuss menu made to hit just right.

Our Late Nite Bite Unwind Experience is the after-party kitchen —where the lights are low, the food is warm, and everyone’s invited. A collaboration of chefs, cooks, and culinary enthusiasts serving cozy, crave-able comfort bites that keep the night feeling just right.

Workforce Development

At UPCYCLE Center, we collaborate with Workforce Development programs to create hands-on learning opportunities for culinary students and individuals pursuing careers in food, hospitality, and service industries. Through real-world experience in our mobile kitchen and events, our 'guest staff' work on their practical skills, confidence, and industry insight in a supportive, fast-paced environment.

Real-life, real-time exposure to menu execution, customer service, event operations, and teamwork—helping bridge the gap to career readiness! Together, we’re nurturing talent, strengthening our community, and creating pathways for growth within the hospitality industry.

Arts & Crafts

Our Upcycle Market is a celebration of creativity, intention, and new chances. Here, materials are reimagined, stories are reshaped, and nothing ordinary stays that way for long.

We feature a curated mix of unique merchandise, home goods, and art pieces—many crafted from upcycled, reused, or thoughtfully sourced materials. From one-of-a-kind décor and functional objects to expressive artworks and handmade treasures, every item carries its own character and purpose.

More than a shopping experience, UPCYCLE Center is a space to discover makers who value craftsmanship, sustainability, and originality. It’s where creativity meets community, and where old things find new life—beautifully, boldly, and with intention. Craft foods & drinks too!

Travel & Stay Hospitality

UPSTATE Travel & Stay is a casual concierge service designed for curious travelers who want to experience a place beyond the usual highlights. Instead of scripted itineraries, we offer thoughtfully curated moments—leading guests to hidden treasures, neighborhood favorites, and places locals love but guidebooks often miss.

It’s travel that feels personal, relaxed, and genuinely connected to the destination.

Whether it’s a tucked-away café, a scenic overlook, a local art space, or a spontaneous experience that captures the spirit of the area, UPSTATE Travel & Stay focuses on meaningful discovery. We invite visitors to explore with intention, and feel at home wherever they land—turning each stay into a collection of memorable, local experiences.

Meet Val!

Vision. Passion. Mission.

Born and raised in Brazil, Val came to New York City with two suitcases, a carry-on backpack, and a head full of ideas. Like many newcomers, she stepped into the rhythm of the city ready to learn, explore, and discover herself along the way—guided by curiosity and a love for volleyball.

First week in, Val grabs her volleyball gear and Brazilian passport as a 'form of ID' and signed up for the NY Urban Professionals Volleyball League Open Play Night! The open plays were for all to play, rotating on and off the court, to allow teams who needed new players to network and try out their game. And that's how it started!

Val’s network began on the volleyball courts, where casual games turned into real connections and shared momentum. What started as a social outlet quickly became a community—one built on teamwork, trust, and genuine relationships. From there, those connections naturally extended beyond the court, opening doors into the small business scene and creative circles across the city.

As her network grew, so did her influence. Val’s energy, collaboration-first mindset, and ability to connect people made her presence felt in many areas of her work. Whether supporting local businesses, leveraging professional development opportunities, or leading projects, her positive impact became unmistakable—woven through everything she touched, from grassroots initiatives to entrepreneurial spaces.

After moving upstate New York, her path shifted—one stone at a time on her one-acre piece of land — where food and hospitality found their way into her life, transforming her own property into a welcoming space centered on good food, warm drinks, community, and shared experiences.

#whatsyOURpurpose

upcycle, upcycling, upcycled

transitive verb

: to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item : to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)

Brews & Bites

Val launched UPCYCLE Brews & Bites in 2022 as a community engagement initiative - a creative way to network with other small business owners, cater to the local community and meet travelers adventuring Upstate New York, the Catskills area and beyond!