Bakeries, Grain & Mills

Sixteen grain farms, flour mills, and bakeries across seven counties. The Hudson Valley was once called the breadbasket of the colonies, and a small group of farmers and millers is bringing local grain back, from organic fields outside Hudson to stone mills turning it into flour. The bakers are right there with them, with naturally leavened sourdough and small-town bakeries worth a detour.

From the field: grain farms & mills

Wild Hive Farm in Clinton Corners is a pioneer: founded in 1982, it went from beekeeping to stone-milled local grain long before it was fashionable. Stone House Grain outside Hudson is a certified organic grain farm with its own feed mill, and Hudson Valley Hops and Grain in Ancramdale grows certified organic grains and flour. In Ulster County, Milestone Mill in Kingston is a mission-driven mill turning organic grain grown at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub into flour, and the Ulster County Grain Project in Stone Ridge supplies stone-milled whole grain flours, cornmeal, and oats.

Sourdough & artisan bread

Rock Hill Bakehouse in Glens Falls is a renowned artisan bakery making naturally leavened, hearth-baked bread. In Greene County, See and Be Kitchen in Cairo specializes in long-fermentation sourdough and croissants, Nocturne Bakehouse in Greenville sells naturally leavened loaves from a self-serve kiosk open until 10pm, and Nana's Sourdough Treats in Climax takes pre-orders for breads, bagels, and cookies from a home bakery and farmstand.

Small-town bakeries

• Catskill Mountain Bakery & Market — Leeds. Pastries and bread in the historic former Mohican Trading Post.
• Red Star Cafe & Bakery — Cairo. House-baked pastries and bread, voted best coffee in Greene County.
• Babblers Bakery — Windham. Croissants, pies, and breakfast on Main Street.
• The Little Bake Shop — Coxsackie. Pies, cream puffs, and cookies.
• Jeffersonville Bake Shop — Jeffersonville. Baked goods plus local dairy, maple, and honey.
• Sow Good Bakery — Saugerties. Baked goods alongside vegetables and herbs.
• Greyston Bakery — Yonkers. A pioneering social-enterprise bakery since 1982, known for its brownies.

A few practical notes

Freshly milled whole grain flour behaves differently from supermarket flour; it absorbs more water and keeps best in the fridge or freezer. Small bakeries often sell out by midday, especially on weekends, and several take pre-orders, so check ahead if you're after a particular loaf.

Explore more of the region's theme guides on Explore by Theme.

Local grain, a slow rise, and a warm loaf in the passenger seat.