By: Courtney Burkholder
Caryn Hasslocher and Tony Koch bring their expertise to catering and agriculture
For Caryn Hasslocher and Tony Koch, healthy food is more than an axiom; it’s a way of life. On any given weekend, the happy couple of 12 years can be found perusing the selections of fruits, vegetables and meats at the local farmers markets in and around Alamo Heights. And why not? It’s what they do.
Caryn, owner of Fresh Horizons, a catering business dedicated to serving fresh, locally grown foods without additives or artificial flavors, has been providing some of the freshest and tastiest food to the San Antonio community for 32 years. “We’ve established our reputation by trying to stay as true to those values as possible,” she explains. In addition to her off-site catering, Caryn also manages the special events, private parties and weddings at the Japanese Tea Garden and provides food and beverage services for the Jingu House Cafe and Tea Room. “It’s a project we took on two years ago,” she says. “The tearoom offers light, healthy sandwiches, snacks, sushi and a sampling of Asian food as well as wonderful fair trade teas from around the world.”
Not to be outdone, Tony proudly claims ties to the healthy food industry as well. Owner of Koch Ranches Gourmet Country Store, Tony is dedicated to providing healthy food to the people of San Antonio.“We raise grass-fed meats, including beef, lamb, goat and trapped wild boar; we raise all our own meat and sell it in our store,” he explains. “We have our own line of grass-fed sausages and ready-toeat meats, as well.”
Alongside his brother, son and daughter, Tony and his family are seventh-generation agriculture people in the state of Texas. Their involvement with the CSA program-Community Supported Agriculture — has taken San Antonio by storm and is offered through the Country Store: “It’s a way for people to get healthy, locally grown food on a regular basis.”
Long-time Alamo Heights residents, both Tony and Caryn were born and raised right here in the Alamo City. Caryn is a graduate of Alamo Heights High School, and Tony, of Central Catholic High School and St. Mary’s University. “We love living in Alamo Heights because it is so centrally located,” Caryn says. “So much of what we enjoy — food, shopping, friends — are right here.” Tony concurs. “Everything is so convenient, particularly in our present jobs. Home is the center between our two businesses. We can walk to Paesanos, the Quarry Market or H-E-B; everything is close by.”
With their very busy lives, their home in Lincoln Heights offers a quiet place to rest and recharge. “We just love our neighborhood. All of our neighbors are content with a quiet, peaceful life,” Tony says. “Those are the best kind of neighbors.”
“We also enjoy the Museum Reach that is such a wonderful part of living in this area,” Caryn says. “Between the Witte, San Antonio Museum of Art, the McNay, the Botanical Garden, and, of course, the Japanese Tea Garden, there is so much to enjoy. And it’s wonderful to see the resurgence taking place along Broadway.”
Though both their jobs are firmly centered in the food industry, Tony admits finding time to cook together is no easy feat.“We don’t get a chance to cook much when we’re in town. Caryn has a staff that does all her cooking, and I have a lady here who does our cooking, so when we get out of town, we love to cook together,” he says.
Their home-away-from-home is the sprawling Seco Crossing Ranch near Yancey, where they raise a variety of exotic animals in addition to all the domesticated animals. “Our relaxing time is going to the ranch and just being together with family and friends,” Tony says. “From our home on top of a hill, we have a 360-degree view. We can see Hondo to the north, Devine to the east, Pearsall to the south, and Dilley to the west. We love driving around and looking at the animals. Our animals are raised according to the Animal Welfare Approved Principles, so they are raised at a low stress level. They will come up and eat right out of your hand.”
=Another favorite pastime at the ranch? Cooking, of course. “Caryn is a amazing cook,” Tony boasts proudly. “We love cooking together. I tell people I weighed 110 pounds when I met her, and now I’m at 220,” he jokes. “Though that’s not necessarily true!”
With their dedication to providing healthy food options for the people of San Antonio, there’s no question that Caryn and Tony are living examples of the benefits enjoyed as a result of a healthy diet and lifestyle. 78209 is lucky to have ’em!
