Great Barrington Farmers Market to Reopen With Restrictions

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Great Barrington Farmers Market will open for its 30th season on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Church Street location in downtown Great Barrington. 

Berkshire United Way has awarded the market a grant allowing the continuation of the Market Match program. This program offers a dollar- for-dollar match on all SNAP, WIC Farmers Market Check, and Senior Farmers Market Check purchase up to $25 per customer per week. HIP benefits can be redeemed at five market vendors. 

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the market managers have taken into consideration recommendations and policies from local, state, and federal governments, as well as guidance from Mass Farmers Markets and The Farmers Market Coalition.

Restrictions are as follows:

• To reduce browsing orders should be placed ahead of time whenever possible. A full list of participating vendors and links to their pre-order pages can be found on the website.

• A special shopping hour for senior and high-risk Immunocompromised people will be available from 9  to 10 a.m. 

• All shoppers are asked to wear masks.

• There will be no eating or drinking at the market

• Dogs will not be permitted at the market

• There will be no public bathrooms, seating areas, or live music

• Shoppers are encouraged to use minimal cash 

• There will be only one entrance to the market and the number of customers allowed in will be limited.

• Please only send one member of your household to the market whenever possible 

• Please make safe health choices. Do not come to the market if you are sick or have been sick in the last 14 days.

Others farmers markets will be operating in different ways across Berkshire County:

• The Pittfsfield Farmers Market is operating a virtual market and taking weekly orders for delivery. Information here.

• The Wiliamstown Farmers Market has developed an eCommerce platform to connect shoppers with farmers and food vendors. WFM-E! will offer contact-free ordering and payment, a central pickup location, and delivery for those who are unable access transportation. Information here.

• The North Adams Farmers market is also taking online orders for delivery and pickup. Information here.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.