On June 13, 2026, the Chinese Club of Western New York (CCWNY) will once again field a team to compete in the 2026 Buffalo Dragon Boat Festival.
The Buffalo Dragon Boat Festival is organized by Hope Chest and held at Buffalo RiverWorks. Hope Chest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer survivors through physical rehabilitation, emotional support, and paddling programs. Proceeds from the event, together with community donations, will support breast cancer prevention, rehabilitation, and patient care programs.
For the CCWNY Dragon Boat Team, the festival is more than just a sporting competition. It is an important opportunity to bring the community together, celebrate Chinese culture, and showcase the spirit of the local Chinese-American community.
Over the past two years, the CCWNY Dragon Boat team has continued to improve and achieve new milestones. In 2024, the team advanced through a field of 35 competing teams, earned fourth place in the semifinals, qualified for the championship race, and ultimately captured third place in Division A, which is the best results in CCWNY’s Dragon Boat Festival history. In 2025, the team built on that success, improving its race time from 1 minute 59 seconds to 1 minute 57 seconds and setting a new personal record.
Behind there achievements stands a long-time supporter of the Chinese community: Asia Food Market.
For many years, Asia Food Market has actively supported the growth of the local community. From sponsoring large cultural performances and supporting student organizations and Chinese community groups to backing events such as the Buffalo Dragon Boat Festival, the company has consistently contributed to the promotion and preservation of Asian culture in Western New York.
The company believes that the value of a business is reflected not only in its operations, but also in its commitment to the community and the relationships it builds with the people it serves.
Over nearly a decade in Buffalo, Asia Food Market has become an indispensable part of daily life for many Asian families. More than a grocery store, it serves as a gathering place where familiar foods, shared languages, and festive cultural traditions create a sense of home.
As Asia Town continues to expand, a growing and diverse Asian commercial community is taking shape. Current businesses located within Asia Town include:
- Blissful Bakes
- MooMoo Tea
- Fu’s BBQ House
- Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle
- Pan’s Noodle
At the same time, Asia Food Market continues to evolve. In recent years, the company has streamlined its management practices, improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer service, optimized staffing structures, and increased employee benefits. These efforts have attracted talented employees while bringing fresh energy and innovation to the organization.
This transformation represents not only growth, but also a new beginning.
Looking ahead, Asia Food Market hopes to be more than a community service provider, it aims to be an active contributor to the community’s future development.
To support that vision, the company is currently recruiting for a variety of positions, including:
- Accounting Clerk
- Cashier
- Sales Associate
- Grocery Stock Associate
- Produce Department Associate
- Fresh Foods Department Associate
Interested applicants may visit the customer service desk at Asia Food Market or call for additional information.
CCWNY and Asia Food Market warmly invite community members and friends from all backgrounds to join us on June 13 to watch the races, cheer on all participating teams, and experience the excitement of dragon boat racing and the strength of community spirit.
