Wild Hive Farm Store, Cafe a local treat

(Coffee and the remains of a cinnamon roll was a light breakfast at Wild Hive Farm Cafe — a freshly made whole wheat ciabatta was destined for dinner)

There is something satisfying about knowing where your food comes from and supporting your neighbors who make and grow it.

If you love the taste of hearty grains, real food that comes from your neighbors and artisan breads, head to the Wild Hive Farm Store and Cafe, 2411 Salt Point Turnpike, in Clinton Corners.

Don Lewis has finally opened a storefront and cafe to showcase his wonderful artisan baked breads that are made from stone-ground, locally grown organic grains in small batches. That's him standing in front of some of his mouth-watering breads. He's been making these amazing breads and baked goods since 1982. Don was honored by Slow Food in October in Italy, where the group got its start. Slow Food is "a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world." You might have seen his products for sale at Adams Fairacre Farms or other specialty markets in the Hudson Valley.

The cafe and store, which is now open Thursday through Sunday starting at 8 a.m., offers breakfast and lunch as well as breads and pastries baked on the premises and locally produced cheeses, eggs, honey, maple syrup, vegetables, legumes and other goods. Don said he is going to expand the days and hours of operation.

That's Amy Lawton, Don's "right arm" waiting on a table. She also helps cook. The cafe has a homey feel with eclectic table settings and chairs, a tin ceiling and walls and photographs by Don (he's also a talented photographer) that dot the colorful walls. It's bright and clean, making you feel welcome to sit a spell and enjoy some real food.

The cafe is definitely cozy. Don't you want to just settle into this funky chair by the window and have a nice cup of coffee and a bite to eat?

The grains are grown on Lighting Tree Farm in Millbrook by Alton Earnhart and Jeanine Connolly. Don's miller is Lupe Rodriguez. Ingot hard red spring, left to right, Frederick soft white and spelt spring are pictured above. You can't get that close to a loaf of mass-produced bread you buy in a giant supermarket.

Smoked Cheddar Biscuits and Sour Corn Rye Bread are just some of the offerings of Wild Hive Farm. They're made in small batches and have a unique flavor and texture.

There is also a nice selection of organic flours and grains for sale. What are you waiting for? Winter is the perfect time to get back into baking your own bread!

Amy had made herself one of the cafe's signature salads for lunch: Mixed Greens Salad with Pear Vinaigrette, which consists of Sorbello Farms mixed greens with Liberty View apples, Old Chatham's Ewe's Blue cheese, toasted walnuts and GCF's onions with a pear cider dressing. It doesn't get any more local than that — all of the ingredients are fresh from the Hudson Valley.

Maple syrup from Steve's Syrup in Clinton Corners, honey from Remsburger Maple Farm in Pleasant Valley and tea from Harney & Sons in Millerton are more of the local products featured at the store.

An array of winter squashes from Hahn Farm in Salt Point lines the shelves. I can just imagine what these shelves will hold in the summertime when local produce is bountiful.

The cafe/store is in a quaint building in Clinton Corners. Treat yourself to a taste of local fare fresh from the farm the next time you're looking for a place to have breakfast or lunch. Slow down and savor the flavor of real food. Your body, mind and soul, will thank you!