This article was created by a student intern from Greenwich Central School, working with The Valley Hub as part of a hands-on marketing internship. We believe the best way to learn is by doing real work, for real audiences, with as much creative freedom as possible – and these young adults delivered. We’re incredibly proud of what they produced. What you’re reading is raw – very little input from us.
Represent a local school looking for practical learning opportunities for your students? We’d love to talk. Want to hire one of these talented young adults? Reach out and we’ll connect you.
Washington County is known for its County Fair and deep agriculture roots-but there’s far more to it. This county spans dozens of small towns, including Greenwich, Cambridge, Salem, and Grandville. I set out to explore its local farms and shops, sourcing every ingredient for what i call the ultimate Washington County Dinner. The rule: everything had to be local- no Hannaford allowed. The menu was a cheese-curd crusted steak with side tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, a house salad, and cheesecake for dessert. My stops included Nessel Bros, Argyle Cheese Farmers, Happen Chance, Clutch, and the Nuns.
First stop: Nessel Bro’s
Nessel Brothers, a butcher shop in Easton, NY, run by brothers Bob and Dick. They carry a wide variety of meat and are genuinely friendly. They didn’t have exactly what I wanted, but they helped me find something close and even recommended how to cook it. The store feels old and a bit creepy-dark and dated- but prices are competitive worth other local butchers. Worth the trip for good meat at a fair price.
Second stop: Argyle Cheese Farmers
Argyle Cheese Farmers in Argyle, NY. They’re famous for cheese curds but also make milk and baked goods. Their shop features huge windows overlooking the kitchen and baking area, so you can watch everything being made. They’ve partnered with another local business on a seasoning for their buffalo cheese curds, and they sell Battenkill milk too—drawing in even more customers. I grabbed garlic cheese curds for my steak dinner: the ultimate Washington County Dinner.
Third stop:
Happen Chance Farm, a tiny roadside stand in Eagle Bridge, NY. They carry veggies year-round but mostly in summer, and run on an honor system—just drop your money in for what you take. Convenient if you’re passing by. I picked up a $4 bag of fresh lettuce for my salad, enough to feed a family of five.
Forth stop: Clutch
Clutch, a small market right on Main Street in Greenwich, NY. They serve soup of the day, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh baked goods—including homemade poptarts. The store stocks local products from Batten kill, Argyle Cheese, Bacon Hill Botanicals, and more. Clutch’s mission is to strengthen and support the growing community; it’s Greenwich’s one-stop shop on Main Street. I grabbed a cucumber and tomatoes for my side salad.
Last stop:
The New Skete Nuns, a cheesecake business run by nuns in Cambridge, NY. They have two locations, but the main one doubles as a gift shop with cheesecakes and items from the monks. The Nuns attend Mass with the Monks at New Skete, and the two communities trade goods—the Nuns buy marmalade to sell back in Cambridge. Their cheesecakes are legendary across New York. I picked up two slices of Maple cheesecake, a flavor you won’t find elsewhere. They also had chocolate mint and other unique flavors. No nuns in sight during my visit, but it was still a fun stop.
Bonus stops:
County Gals-
A small family diner on Main Street in Cambridge, NY. Known for good food and fast service, they source local summer veggies from Reggies Veggies in Greenwich. They also carry Battenkill Milk. Prices are reasonable with plenty of options. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays (5:30am–1:30pm) and Sundays (6am–1pm), they focus on breakfast but serve lunch too. Great food at a fair price—highly recommended.
The Village Booksmith-
The Village Booksmith is a used bookstore in Hudson Falls, NY. Charming from the outside, but step inside and it’s overwhelming—books piled everywhere, narrow paths, barely room to walk. It’s loosely organized by genre, but books are haphazardly thrown into sections. Skip this one if you’re hunting for a specific title.
Dilos-
Dilos is a retro-styled to-go pizza spot in Hudson Falls, NY. Tiny inside—fits maybe 3-5 people—but packed with character. Beyond pizza, they sell homemade donuts and cookies. I tried a Boston cream that was massive, with rich chocolate frosting and thick cream. In summer they open up outdoor seating, but it’s mostly takeout. Small but good.
The Meal
I sourced every ingredient from Washington County—steak, cheese curds, lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes. The plan was a cheese-curd crusted steak with a side salad and cheesecake for dessert. I topped the steak with cheese curds and tomatoes, then grilled it exactly as the Nessel Bros recommended: high heat, 7-8 minutes per side for medium. It came out perfectly. For my first time cooking a steak, it exceeded all expectations.
To wrap it up…
Washington County gets overlooked, but it shouldn’t. There’s plenty to do, places to explore, and ingredients to discover. The journey itself is fun, and random stops along the way make it even better. I’d love to do this again in a different season—there are always new places to try. Every stop has its own character. Most are small local businesses that support the community in different ways, and they need us to support them back. These businesses thrive when they collaborate, and they’d achieve even more by working together across town lines. Neighboring towns should unite to lift up small businesses on both sides rather than competing for no reason. Skip the overpriced store-bought products—local places sell better quality for less.