submitted newsEditor’s Note: The following article is derived from officially released information, published with few or no editorial changes. The Greylock Glass occasionally provides our readers with such content if the information is factual in nature, and requires little to no interpretation or analysis, often when original reportage would not provide additional relevant information.
Berkshire Grown kicks off its 2023-2024 indoor Winter Farmers Market season on the weekend before Thanksgiving, in both North and South Berkshire County.
In Great Barrington, the first in the season of six indoor Winter Farmers Markets will take place on Saturday, November 18 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Housy Dome (Housatonic Community Center). These markets will run every third Saturday of the month through April 20, 2024. The Housy Dome is located at 1064 Main Street in Housatonic and is included on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority BRTA route #21.
In North County, Winter Farmers Market will take place at Greylock WORKS in North Adams on Sunday, November 19 and Sunday, December 17, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This year, Berkshire Grown is partnering with host Greylock WORKS to offer a mini maker market within the Winter Farmers Market, featuring a carefully curated gathering of local artisans.
Both market locations will also showcase local musicians, performing across a variety of styles and genres.
Executive Director Margaret Moulton said, “We look forward to bringing back some of the ‘extras’ that add sparkle to the markets including live music and the locally-produced, artisan crafts at both markets, especially the mini maker market in North Adams. Raising our SNAP match to $30, thanks to BAV’s Market Match program, is another highlight of the upcoming season.”
The Winter Farmers Markets host farmers and producers from Berkshire County and the surrounding region. Vendors offer an abundance of locally-grown food, including fresh greens, winter squash, root crops, apples, meats, cheeses, honey and maple syrup, baked goods, and more.
Admission to the Winter Farmers Markets is free and food access is an integral part of the markets. Shoppers using SNAP will receive a match up to $30, and the HIP incentive reimburses shoppers who spend SNAP funds on fresh fruits and vegetables. SNAP and HIP can be processed at the market manager’s station, as well as at several farmers’ booths.
Berkshire Grown abides by current local health regulations regarding COVID-19. Masks are welcomed but not required, and shoppers are encouraged to stay home if they feel ill.
The market is made possible through the support of our sponsors: Berkshire Food Co-op, Rolling Rock Salt, Ed Herrington, Inc., Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, Adams Community Bank, Lee Bank, Marty’s Local, Mezze Food Group, MountainOne Bank, Storey Publications, and the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies. SNAP matching at the Winter Farmers Markets is funded by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures’ Market Match program. Berkshire Grown also thanks the Town of Great Barrington and Greylock WORKS for hosting the Winter Farmers Markets, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for their ongoing support.
Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy, and landscape; its mission is to “Keep Farmers Farming!” Through farmer workshops, food access networks, video storytelling, advocacy, and events highlighting locally grown and produced food, Berkshire Grown helps create a thriving local food economy. For more information, go to berkshiregrown.org or call 413.528.0041.
