The Old Red Barn

www.leducdramasociety.ca

Melissa & Matt started The Old Red Barn in 2017 with the goal for all consumers to trust and prefer Canadian made food products. They noticed that there was a large disconnect between consumers and producers and wanted to help bridge that gap. Melissa’s parents, Rudy and Karen Gengler, own Glen Park Holsteins, the family dairy farm where the Old Red Barn is located. Melissa is very passionate about agriculture, while Matt is passionate about quality of local food and hospitality. With their unique gifts in mind, and an old 1950’s barn on the property that was not being used, it got the two inspired… The two got connected with Brad Smoliak owner of “Kitchen by Brad” who helped bring Melissa & Matt’s vision to life by hosting the very first Farm to Table Dinner in 2017. Brad helped connect them to the incredibly supportive Edmonton Tourism team. Soon after, Melissa then approached Chartier in 2018 to help co-host Alberta Open Farm Days. This event was a big success, leading to more Farm Dinners! Melissa & Matt have a mission: To be an industry leader in rural tourism by connecting consumers to local farmers through experiences that increase public trust in food. We tell the story of the farmer one plate at a time.