The Socialist Labor Party Hall, also known as the ”Old Labor Hall”, was built in 1900 by Italian immigrants. They had immigrated to Barre, Vermont, to work in the granite sheds on the famous Barre Gray granite that gave Barre the name of the “Granite Capital of the World.”

In an era when the social and cultural centers of many immigrant communities rested in labor unions and fraternal societies with radical politics, the Hall became a major community center for the large Italian community of Barre, serving as a venue for agitation, education, entertainment, and even shopping.

Today, the Labor Hall continues its traditions as a center for community activities, entertainment, and education. It is the regular business meeting place of several labor unions and the home of the Barre Historical Society.

The Barre Historical Society promotes public awareness of the Hall, of the history of the Barre granite workers, and the vision of social justice of the Hall’s builders. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

We are raising awareness in our local communities about real organic and fair-traded food, worker coops, and corporate consolidation in the food system. Our products include high-quality and affordable artisan food like coffee, chocolate, tea, cheese, and hot sauce from cooperative farms in the Global South and small US organic farms.

Just Food Hub’s mission is to offer community groups, like the Old Labor Hall, a regular fundraiser for their valuable work in our communities. We do this by selling these wonderful foods online and giving the profits to the community group. The Old Labor Hall receives 25% of all purchases when you click Old Labor Hall at checkout. We offer free delivery of your purchases in 18 towns including Barre, East Montpelier, Marshfield, Montpelier, and Plainfield and can ship them elsewhere for a $10 charge.

Just Food Hub collaborates with Equal Exchange, a worker coop that develops a noncapitalist people-centered food system that brings food justice and integrity to the US family table. Equal Exchange endorses organic and sustainable farming practices and democratic and worker-owned farming cooperatives throughout the Global South, Palestine, and the United States.

In addition to helping you eat well and building strong local economies and community groups, we are working to address the climate crisis and food insecurity. Join us and be the change you want to see in the world.