The Holidays are about Traditions
Perhaps they are traditions that you’ve had in your family for generations. Maybe this is the first year you’re beginning a new tradition. We’ve been honored and delighted to be a part of your traditions for the past 14 years here at Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery. Be it holiday party platters, stocking up on Cabot products for baking, or picking out the perfect, local balsam wreath, thank you for including us, your neighborhood dairy farm, in your holiday celebrations.
A longstanding tradition on the farm is the lighting of the Christmas star. Hoisted to the top of the silo, the star shines over the barnyard for December. The original star, wooden and terribly heavy, was hauled rung by rung up the silo ladder every year. If left out, it would rot. The star was secured with baling twine and (most of the time) made it through the holidays without crashing to the ground. Today, the star is made of a light weight galvanized electrical conduit and LED string lights that use less than half the energy of one light bulb.
Beginning in 1986, Grandma Barstow would bake an apple pie for whoever raised the star that year. These days, Shannon Barstow has taken on that role, sending her uncle or brother home with a homemade pie from the Barstow’s kitchen.
Traditions are important in building strong family relationships between generations. Traditions connect us to our family, our heritage, and our community during the holidays. Even I-91 commuters might enjoy the Longview Farm star from across the river as it is visible from the highway.
Place Holiday Orders Before Dec. 19
Family gatherings, office parties, holiday get-togethers, the Barstow’s team feels honored and grateful to be a part of your holiday celebration, whatever the size. We have an assortment of pies, cheesecakes, and dessert platters to make the holiday season stress free and easy. Each order is made with the same attention that Grandma Barstow had in her holiday kitchen. That’s a tradition, that’s who we are. Placing your orders (and picking them up!) is fast and easy.
Visit or call 413-586-2142. Please note that orders placed after 4:00pm on Monday, December 19 will need baker approval. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accept late orders (we filled up and could not take additional orders this Thanksgiving, so seriously, don’t wait). We will have some extra pies and baked goods available just ahead of Christmas Eve, first come first serve.
Taking on the kitchen yourself this holiday season? The best bakers use the best ingredients! Pick up Cabot cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, whipped cream, and butter along with local milk, eggs, ice cream, beef, coffee, maple syrup, and honey. NEW this year, we also have a really delightful selection of local wine and beer. May we recommend some dark porters and stouts from the area; and other seasonal brews: Who Brew from Abandoned Building Brewery, Winter Ion by Element Brewing Company, or Turkey Trotter from Berkshire Brewing Co to name a few.
Holiday Local, Gift Local
Your local farmstand is loaded with wonderful gifts for the special people in your life. Browse gifts from local artisans like jewelry, wood crafts, needlework, books, and artwork. For the Barstow’s Fan, pick up a Barstow’s gift certificate, coffee mug with candy, or T-shirt. Desserts make a great gift for those who are hard to shop for: think cookies, 4″ custom cheesecake, or chocolate gluten free cupcakes.
This year, give the gift of food grown by the people in your community and raised from the land you call home. Farm fresh gifts like Barstow Beef Bundles, Cabot cheese, maple syrup, honey, granola, popcorn, beer and wine, do more than just taste great – they preserve open space, protect habitat, and sustain heritage in your hometown. Now THAT is a great gift!
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Don’t forget the local milk and Barstow’s cookies! Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Hadley Fire Department are making an early detour on Sat. December 17 around noon at Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery.
Barstow’s is currently open 6am-4pm on the weekdays, 8am-4pm on the weekends. Here are our holiday hours:
Mon. Dec 19 – last day for holiday orders
Sat. Dec. 24 – 8am-3pm
Sun. Dec. 25 – CLOSED
Mon. Dec. 26 – CLOSED
Sat. Dec. 31 – 8am-2pm
Sun. Jan 1 through Sun. Jan. 8, CLOSED for our annual January Break
Mon. Jan. 9 – 6am-3pm (also the last day to sign up for the Soup CSA!)