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Local Agriculture is Everyone's Business®
Established in 2004 and named after the ancient mountain range, Appalachian Naturals has grown to be the northeast's source for locally grown specialty foods. It's founders, Kristin Barry and Shelly Risinger, are committed to bridging the gap between local agriculture and the grocery aisle. Their hope is to help sustain northeastern agriculture.
Recognized for contemporary, fresh flavors using all natural and organic ingredients, Appalachian Natural's farm-to-table products are simple: just open & serve. Our products, which include dressings, dips, organic salsas, barbecue sauces, and fruit spreads, are available throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic. You may always purchase our products at www.AppalachianNaturals.com or by phone at (413)268-7367.
We welcome you into our kitchen to indulge in the charm & character of New England grown.
Our Story...
Kristin's grandmother, Alice King, lived in Ashfield, Massachusetts much of her life with her husband Robert King. Alice was an artist who worked with both clay as well as watercolors. Several of the landscape portraits Alice made were of the lush pine, maple, and aspen trees in the region. At some point Alice had a wooden stamp made of a pine tree. This stamp is now the Appalachian Naturals logo.
Back in 1999 Kristin & Shelly created a "casual gourmet" style restaurant in Joshua Tree, California known to this day as Crossroads Cafe & Tavern. "The girls," as they were endearingly referred to in town, pooled together their knowledge and techniques gathered over the years to create an oasis of fine food in a rare and eclectic atmosphere. After Crossroads had been in operation for over a year, customers began asking for recipes of the salad dressings, soups, sauces, and baked goods which the girls gladly shared.
In 2003 after more and more customers made the comment "you should really bottle this stuff!" the two women decided to sell their restaurant and devote their efforts towards packaging and bottling their dressings.
Once Crossroads had found its new owners the girls packed up their things and moved 3,000 miles to the east coast and began their next adventure, creating Appalachian Naturals.
Research for Appalachian Naturals began in July 2003. East-coast ingredient sources were found and extra effort was made to work with small, local farms & businesses to launch the all natural product line.
The business was named after the Appalachian Mountain Region which stretches as far north as Canada, and as far south as Alabama. Northern, central, and southern Appalachia not only share the rugged, ancient terrain but also a commitment to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The business itself is physically located approximately 20 miles east of the Berkshire region of the Appalachian Mountains.
When asked if the women's roots have anything to do with the name of the business, the answer is yes. Shelly is the southern influence, Kristin is the northern. The combination is what makes Appalachian Naturals so unique.
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