Macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and collard greens from Mama Lo's Barbecue in Great Barrington sit on an outdoor table in the sun. Photo by Kate Abbott

Food

Here are the Hill Country Observer’s articles about food, listed from newest to oldest. We look into local food and foodways — farms and farmers, local markets and restaurants, food security, native plants and more.

  • Issue:

    Food fight? Debate over farm bill nears

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    Local advocates keep tabs as Congress weighs shifts in agriculture funds, policy By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   With the threat of a government shutdown now averted until after the start of the new year, congressional leaders have reserved floor time in December to debate a new farm bill in the U.S. House. But most political read more

    Food fight? Debate over farm bill nears
  • Issue:

    Local and organic — winter produce gives rise to a food store

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    Couple’s winter produce operation gave rise to full-fledged food store   Kaleb Myers and his father, Tim Myers, gather fresh greens from their farm to supply Old Saratoga Mercantile, the family’s storefront on Route 29 just west of Schuylerville, N.Y. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer SARATOGA, N.Y. At first glance, the read more

    Local and organic — winter produce gives rise to a food store
  • Issue:

    Old school, rich cheeses

    From Stephentown, Four Fat Fowl creamery builds a wide following   Partners Josie Madison, Willy Bridgham and Shaleena Bridgham started the Four Fat Fowl creamery a decade ago and now ship their cheeses to stores across the country. Joan K. Lentini photo.   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer STEPHENTOWN, N.Y. A former elementary school, set back read more

    Old school, rich cheeses
  • Issue:

    Creating a downtown food hub

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    Nonprofit market aims to nourish Bennington’s ‘food desert’   Head baker Shayne Williams holds a tray of freshly baked loaves of bread at the new Bennington Community Market. Joan K. Lentini photo   By JOHN TOWNESContributing writer BENNINGTON, Vt. A new nonprofit market in downtown Bennington aims to bring fresh, healthy food to a town read more

    Creating a downtown food hub
  • Issue:

    New book celebrates Bennington’s Blue Benn Diner

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    New book celebrates Bennington’s Blue Benn and its longtime owners   A new book by two area journalists pays tribute to the Blue Benn diner in Bennington and the couple who ran it for nearly five decades, Sonny and Mary Lou Monroe, seen below in 1977. Courtesy photos     By STACEY MORRISContributing writer BENNINGTON, read more

    New book celebrates Bennington’s Blue Benn Diner
  • Issue:

    Pandemic dividend comes fresh from the oven

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    Economic upheaval helps spur new micro-bakeries across region   Kean McIlvaine moved from Washington, D.C., to Washington County, N.Y., after the pandemic threw her culinary career into turmoil. Once here, she started Covered Bridge Bread, a home-based baking business. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer SHUSHAN, N.Y. After the pandemic clobbered the read more

    Pandemic dividend comes fresh from the oven
  • Issue:

    How dark Covid times nurtured bakers’ dreams

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      Dede Weber started her Bohemian Nouveaux Bakery at the height of the pandemic and soon built a following in the northern Berkshires. Now she’s preparing to open a new bakery cafe in North Adams. Susan Sabino photo   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer Dede Weber imagines a winter day in North Adams, with snow falling read more

    How dark Covid times nurtured bakers’ dreams
  • Issue:

    Fresh fruit of the fungi – Family farm makes the most of mushrooms

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      Jeff Killenberger of 518 Farms stands in an indoor growing room where he raises several varieties of mushrooms under controlled light and humidity. The farm in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., which also raises some varieties outdoors, grows mushrooms for gourmet cooking and medicinal preparations. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer HOOSICK FALLS, read more

    Fresh fruit of the fungi – Family farm makes the most of mushrooms
  • Issue:

    Fresh pasta made to order in Saratoga

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      Rose Contadino feeds her rolled dough through a pasta cutter to turn it into fettuccine noodles at her shop in Saratoga Springs. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. Rose Contadino stands in front of her industrial-sized pasta cutter, filling an order for a pound of linguine. Dressed in read more

    Fresh pasta made to order in Saratoga
  • Issue:

    Is Hoosick Falls seeing a rebirth fueled by food?

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    An eclectic dining scene reflects broader changes in a former industrial hub   A sign beckons visitors to Byte, a pizzeria with a Turkish flair on John Street in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. photo by Joan K. Lentini   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. On a Friday afternoon in early May, the heart of read more

    Is Hoosick Falls seeing a rebirth fueled by food?