Locavore: New England style

Nadine Kam photos
A selection of cheeses at Rubiner's Cheesemonger's & Grocers in Great Barrington, Mass.

When I get bored at home, I just think of Northwest, Conn., where New York city dwellers, who are wealthy enough, trade the noise of the city for weekend country homes where they can lay about reading or staring at grass, cows and hay bales.

But, Berkshire country living has its charms, with access to plenty of fresh produce and honey, handmade preserves and handmade goat, cow and sheep milk cheeses prized at the city's grocers and farmer's markets—without the smell of the barn.

A favorite stop when passing through neighboring Great Barrington, Mass. is Rubiner's Cheesemonger's & Grocers at 264 Main St., specializing in an array of area and imported cheeses, chocolates and cured meat, along with other gourmet items.

It's also connected to Rubi's Coffee & Sandwiches, where, during summer months they grill all manner of sausages for sandwiches, outdoors.

Check out www.rubiners.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rubiners-Cheesemongers-Grocers/366688871264

Potatoes and garlic.

Where cheese comes from. At Rustling Wind Creamery, Falls Village, Conn., where you can buy goat cheeses and herbed spreads, jams, jellies, hand-knit wool sweater's and goat's milk soaps.