BRINGING THE FARM HOME TO OLD BARN HOLLOW

Fresh produce greets you, and delicious smells waft through the air. The customers smile and talk with one another. A sense of community embraces you, and your day becomes a little less heavy. The owner, Karen Allen, can be found in the store everyday, preparing the produce and arranging baked goods. “Everything is sourced within 150 miles,” she explains, “and the majority- 75-80%- is from 50 miles away or less.” It is truly a local labor of love.

Old Barn Hollow began as a small operation out of the Allens’ Chenango Bridge farm. Jam and jelly making began as a way to share delicious treats with friends and family, and when Karen began to peddle her wares at local farmers’ markets, it became clear she had a hit. She gave up her job as teacher to pursue her passion fully, and introduced the greater Binghamton community to what it means to be a locavore.

Which begs the question: what is a locavore? It is best defined as someone who tries their best to eat- and in some cases buy- only products that are produced in a small radius of where they live. Most locavores aim for about 100 miles around their immediate location. Old Barn Hollow does have some products that are from slightly farther away, but the majority are not.

The locavore movement aims to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. By sourcing goods locally, locavores are able to directly support local agriculture, and since the food is traveling smaller distances to get to your table, the carbon footprint is smaller. It also helps maintain diversity within the foods we eat. By eating locally, you will try foods you never knew existed, like cone cabbage or kiwi berries. Actually, go get some kiwi berries- they are ridiculously delicious.

It's also misleading to think that just because the products are produced locally, they can't be delicious. You can find fresh New York maple syrup and treats, and organic meats from beef and pork to chicken and rabbit, as well as fresh organic eggs. There's hot sauces and marinades, Whole in the Wall pesto, and hummus from Ithaca. Mama Giuseppa's fabulous tomato sauce is available, as well as a wide range of eco-friendly bath and body products.

And the cheese. There is nothing better than a nicely aged cheddar cheese. I want it all the time, and you can get it, all the time, at Old Barn Hollow.

Karen also runs the only 100% gluten-free bakery out of the newly renovated storefront. From strudels to pizza crust, bread to delicious muffins, she will make you believe that gluten-free can be scrumptious. Whatever your reason for cutting down on gluten, Karen makes it easy and simple to eat fabulously.

To top it all off, you can also participate in a local CSA through Early Morning farms, or join in on the Old Barn Hollow Wholeshare group, which helps to source those foods that are outside of the region from small farmers around the nation.

So swing by the South Side today, and try keeping it local. You won't regret it.

Old Barn Hollow is located at 1217 Vestal Rd. on Binghamton's South Side, right next to the post office. For more information about CSA's and Wholeshare, visit their website, oldbarnhollow.com.