The Mountain State Co-Hop is excited to announce the launch of their newly created Appalachian Cellar brand – an online wholesale marketplace showcasing a unique selection of shelf-stable items that highlight Appalachian producers and their handcrafted products.
This initiative is supported by a federal USDA grant that seeks to enhance the competitiveness of local farmers and producers’ products by enabling their market entry into a broader retail market.
The marketplace includes more than 330 value-added products from over 30 producers statewide. Featured items include jams, richly flavored syrups, honey, coffee and rejuvenating personal care products that have all been sourced from small-scale producers who practiced traditional methods honed over generations. Each product tells a story – from the hands that made it to the techniques that were employed.
The online marketplace is live, and select stores carry the items, including West Virginia state parks, as well as Oglebay in Wheeling and Riffle Farms Market in Norfolk, Virginia. The co-hop is currently working on a future rollout in regional stores.
Matt Welsch, prominent West Virginia chef and owner of Vagabond Kitchen in Wheeling, is supporting the launch through his popular “Recipes and Roadmaps” YouTube series. He was recently named the Executive Chef of the West Virginia state parks and was a 2018 winner on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games (GGG).
Welsch has travelled far and wide to expand his culinary education and eventually brought his knowledge and wisdom back to his home state, where he champions local businesses highlighting their love for Appalachia.
Season two of “Recipes and Roadmaps” will include eight episodes released on a monthly basis, starting in July, with two episodes released in November and December.
July’s episode recently premiered featured Ronk Family Farm near Charleston, where a variety of products including maple syrup are made. The rest of the season will feature a multitude of other products from the marketplace. With a rising food scene – which highlights comfortable classics with an elevated twist – Appalachia is having its moment.
There will be three distinct sections of the “Recipes and Roadmaps” YouTube videos:
- The Inspiration: Welsch will travel to eight producers statewide to gather insight and creativity. The sites include the following locations, in no particular order:
- Ronk Family Farm, Alum Creek
- Aroma of the Andes, Linn
- Sugar Bottom, Ovapa
- Handmade WV Market, Hillsboro
- Andor Peppers, Rowlesburg
- Harvest Trails, Martinsburg
- JarHead Farm, Alderson
- Tipsy Roo’s, Charleston
- The Development: He will take the inspiration and develop one entree in his inviting home kitchen, highlighting specific value-added products from each site.
- The Reception: He’ll create this entrée in a private, invite-only event for guests to enjoy this summer. The locations include:
- 1010 Bridge, Charleston
- Bop & Nana’s Farm, Chloe
- Hudson Farms, Charleston
- Marlinton Town Square, Marlinton
- Carrico Wine Bar, Rowelsburg
- Lot 12 Public House, Berkeley Springs
- General Lewis Inn, Lewisburg
- GoMart Ballpark, Charleston
“Appalachian Cellar celebrates the heritage and history from the West Virginia hills. These products not only preserve the summer harvest to enjoy down the road, but they preserve our long-standing tradition of self-reliance – and provide for our neighbors by sharing our bounty. There is a true West Virginia style of wealth in each of these goods, and you can taste it in every bite,” said Matt Welsch, Appalachian Cellar Brand Ambassador.
“We’re finally having our moment in Appalachia, and I’m so proud to be a part of the success in making West Virginia a destination for food lovers. People travel from far and wide to witness the true beauty of our state – and now they can have a culinary experience here as well. The Appalachian Cellar is the perfect avenue to highlight West Virginia’s amazing producers statewide, “ said Paul Smith, Owner of 1010 Bridge in Charleston – and the state’s first James Beard Award recipient.
For further information and products sold through the Appalachian Cellar, visit https://appalachiancellar.com/
The Recipes and Roadmaps series will be aired on Welsch’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@theVagabondChefRides.
For Welsch’s social channels:
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevagabondchefrides
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevagabondchef/
– TikTok: @thevagabondchefrides
Visit the Appalachian Cellar social channels as well:
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appalachiancellar
– Instagram: @appalachiancellar
About Mountain State Co-Hop:
Mountain State Co-Hop was founded in 2023 to support producers statewide in showcasing their handcrafted products. The co-hop started out working with hops producers and have since expanded to shelf-stable products, launching the newly created Appalachian Cellar brand.
