A report by our correspondent Dawn Elliott.

A recent visit to Adams Fairacre Farms in Kingston, New York was a bit of a Dutch food vacation. This grocery store in upstate New York carries a large number of unusual international items including quite a few Dutch products. Originally a roadside farm stand in the early 20th century, Adams has grown to a three-store chain with other locations in Poughkeepsie and Newburgh.

Chocolate letters and koffie hopjes

Dennis and Dorris in the candy department explained that their ordering is driven by customer requests. The store's Dutch customers created a demand for items such as koffie hopjes and drop. In the past the store has even carried chocolate letters for Sinterklaas.

Products include stroopwafels, kruidenkoek and hagelslag. Items not on the shelves can often be special ordered; typically they would be ordered in the smallest case available. Dorris said she would be happy to help anyone interested.

Paul in the cheese department is clearly passionate about Dutch cheese, but said that with what he is able to order "the selection really is not there." Young Gouda is almost the only type of Dutch cheese their distributor carries. You won’t find specialy cheeses such as brandnetel kaas here, but overall you won’t be disappointed with the choices of local and international cheeses.

Dutch since the 17th century

When asked why the store carried so many Dutch products, manager Mike Paesano smiled: "This has been a Dutch area since the 17th century," a fact often pointed out by Kingstonians. Formerly Wiltwijck, the town of Kingston still has remnants of its Dutch past apparent today in its old houses, local family names, and museums.

Adams Fairacre Farms
Stores in Poughkeepsie, Kingston and Newburgh, New York.
(845) 454-4330
www.adamsfarms.com

Drop! Venco - Salmiak Rondos, Dropmix Zout, and Dropmix Zoet. Klene - Salmiakriksen, Bodemvondsten, and Gelukzoekers. Katje - Kokindjes.

Droste cacao.

Conimex sambal oelek and other products such as ketjap manis, sweet chili sauce and nasi goreng.

The store carries several Dutch cheeses, including the almost obligatory Gouda cheese (smoked and not), "Dutch Leyden" and Parrano cheeses. Kaasschaven are for sale as well.

Jules Destrooper cookies - Almond Thins and Butter Crisps, Belgian cookies. The store also carries Droste Pastilles in four different flavors and Belgian Chocolate Biscuits (made in Belgium).

Other Dutch products include:

• Stroopwafels (Made with 100% butter)
• Kruidenkoek
• Roggebrood
• Quince paste, sweet meats for Groninger koek and marzipan
• De Ruijter Chocolade Hagel Slag (Melk en Puur)
• Smoked mackerel
• Many different types of worst