'Riverkeeper Chip Cookie:' A Baked Good You Can Truly Feel Good About

Both delicious and virtuous—that's what nearly everyone wants in a dessert. But does it really exist?

Stop at Irvington's Red Barn Bakery and you can enjoy a chocolate chip cookie that directly benefits the Hudson River. 

Open four months in a small but enchanting spot that once housed an auto shop, the Red Barn is baking up a storm.

Owner Randell Dodge, a former handbag designer with a painting degree from Bennington, believes that in the bakery she has found her true calling.

She began baking her creations out of a barn (yes, a red barn) behind her home in Bedford—but demand soon outpaced supply and when the small space in Irvington became available, she jumped at the opportunity.

“I was thrilled to be part of such a vibrant community!” she said.

Red Barn offers up tarts, both sweet and savory, pies and cookies, muffins and cakes—all 100 percent organic. Gluten free options are available as well.

An assortment of teas, fair trade coffees, juices and other soft drinks round out the offerings.

But something was missing. Ms. Dodge has always felt passionate about the Hudson River.

“The river is very important to me," she said. “I have always lived or worked in close proximity to the Hudson. I feel it is a very special natural treasure.”

So Dodge and her staff got busy and—after a few trials—produced the Riverkeeper Chip Cookie, with hopes of donating part of the proceeds to the Ossining-based watchdog organization.

She approached Dana Gulley, Outreach and Development Coordinator for Riverkeeper, who was thrilled with the idea and the first batch of cookies went on sale last week.

“It is tremendously exciting to work with someone as passionate and creative as Randell," Gulley said.

"Her idea for the Riverkeeper Chip is exactly the kind of partnership we are striving for. Randell told us how much the Hudson River means to her and creating the Riverkeeper Chip, and donating a part of the proceeds from the sale of the cookie, is her way of making a difference. Individuals and businesses that are interested in supporting Riverkeeper each bring their own unique expertise to the table and so instead of telling someone how to support us, it is far more mutually rewarding to support their innovation."

Was the launch a success? According to Dodge, “The people who purchased the cookie were very positive—wondering why no one had thought to do this in the past. I will be in contact with Keeva [Young-Wright, Vice President for Development for Riverkeeper], to possibly develop a ‘Riverkeeper Cookie of the Month.’”

So stop by, have a cookie, and feel good about your contribution!

Red Barn Bakery

4 South Astor Street

Irvington, NY 10533

914-231-7779