Biz Briefs: New Berkshire Food Co-op Opens in Great Barrington
Co-op expansion
The Berkshire Food Co-op celebrated its grand opening in the Powerhouse Square Building at 34 Bridge St. in Great Barrington on June 19 with local vendor demonstrations, live music, prizes and thousands of dollars in giveaways. "It's been a long haul and a tremendous community effort. We’re thrilled to fling wide the doors of our new store and welcome the entire community inside for their first look at the tangible results of our collective hopes and dreams," said Daniel Esko, project manager.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was at 7:30 a.m. with remarks from Jonathan Butler, president and CEO of 1Berkshire, the Regional Economic Development Organization of Berkshire County. Doors opened at 8 a.m. and the first 100 customers received a free gift. The day also featured demonstrations, samples, music, games, raffles and more. "We think our new home will give everyone a fresh perspective on what Berkshire Food Co-op has to offer. We look forward to celebrating with old friends and welcoming new friends to everyone’s neighborhood grocery store," said Ted Moy, store manager
This project was partially funded by interest bearing loans from members of the community and marks the first time the co-op has occupied a space custom-built to suit its needs. The project expanded the co-op's space from 4,400 square feet to 7,600 square feet.
Interprint acquisition
Toppan Printing Co. has signed an agreement with Wrede Industrieholding to acquire 100 percent of Interprint. It is expected that the transaction will be consummated by the end of 2019 as soon as merger control proceedings have been completed.
Interprint, headquartered in Arnsberg, Germany, was established in 1969 and is one of the world's leading décor printers with 1,300 employees and eight production sites in Germany, the United States, Poland, Malaysia, China, Russia and Brazil. One of those sites is located in Pittsfield.
Toppan, headquartered in Tokyo, will further strengthen its leading position in the global printing industry with the acquisition of Interprint. Toppan is committed to expanding its global market with the aim of achieving a 30 percent overseas sales ratio. The transaction accelerates its international expansion strategy in the decor printing market together with Decotec Printing S.A., acquired in 2017, and Toppan Interamerica Inc.
Berkshire Bank Xtraordinary Day
Berkshire Bank employees recently came together to package over 111,000 meals through the Outreach Program to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The donation was a part of the bank's annual Xtraordinary Day of Service, where the bank closes its offices early to empower employees to volunteer in their local communities. The event is in its fourth year.
"Xtraordinary Day highlights our commitment to being a 21st-century community bank by putting our Be FIRST values into action in the communities we serve," said Gary Levante, senior vice president of corporate responsibility and culture. "Our employees work tirelessly each and every day to be change agents in our local communities harnessing their skills, expertise and time to help ensure all individuals thrive."
The volunteer work for the Food Bank was one of 37 projects completed as a part of Xtraordinary Day. More than 90 percent of Berkshire Bank's workforce participated in the event, totaling more than 6,000 hours of volunteer work in a single day throughout the bank's footprint.
Must Be 21
As of June 17, 2019, customers under the age of 21 will no longer be able to buy tobacco products at any Big Y World Class Market or supermarket, Fresh Acres Market, Table & Vine or Big Y Express Fuel & Convenience locations. Big Y has announced that it will be raising the minimum age to buy any tobacco products in all of its 80 locations. Currently, e-cigarettes and vaping products are only sold in their convenience store division and not in any of their markets.
In compliance with Massachusetts state law, Big Y has already implemented this age requirement in all of its locations within this state as of Jan. 1. And, in Connecticut, the legislature is planning on a similar requirement as of October 2019. Big Y has taken the initiative to get ahead of this law in order to have a consistent policy for all of their stores across the two states.
According to tobaccofreekids.org, "Increasing the minimum age for tobacco products to 21 is important to reduce smoking and other tobacco use among youth and saves lives." With this initiative, Big Y has joined several other states and municipalities to help prevent underage tobacco use.
As part of this new policy, Big Y has re-emphasized its training programs to reinforce proper age verification through the use of its electronic age validation systems, computerized training programs for all cashiers, an easy reference calendar to verify age 21 as well as signs in several key areas throughout each location.
Picnic Club formed
A local group has formed to host more than a dozen picnic events this summer. The Elite Picnic Club, founded by Berkshire County residents and picnic lovers Nancy Fontana and Anna Shippee, will have events around the county and all year long allowing locals and visitors to come with their best picnic spread and join in.
The first set of events will take place at Tanglewood with other locations and events to be announced later. The Tanglewood events fit into two categories: the Tanglewood Sunday Season (TSS) and Popular Artist Picnics. The TSS is the premier series of events hosted by the club. The picnics will take place each Sunday during the Boston Symphony Orchestra season from June 30 to Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. before the performance. Each week members and the public will gather along the back walkway of the lawn on the right side of the stage with their picnics in tow. Every week there is a theme that picnic goers will use to create their dishes and decorate their tables. The first picnic in the TSS season will be "On The Grill."
Each week the participants will all vote for their favorite and the winner will get the trophy, but in the end the picnics are held to have fun and gather as a community. The events are all, outside of tickets to the venue, free and open to the public. In all there will be nine picnics in the TSS, but that isn’t all. The group will also host picnics at nine other Tanglewood events including Tanglewood on Parade, Star Wars Film Night, Train and more. The first Popular Artist Picnic is set for June 27 for the Tribute to Queen and the theme is "English Tea Party." The full list can be found online.
Behavioral Health Services added
Community Health Programs' primary care providers are encountering more patients facing life stresses and more serious trauma. In an effort to meet these patients’ needs, CHP has added behavioral health professionals at most of its medical practice locations throughout the Berkshires.
CHP's addition of behavioral health services represents a significant step in the health network's spectrum of care. Serving more than 32,000 patients in the Berkshires with primary medical and dental care, women's healthcare and a range of other medical and family services, CHP is striving to serve as an umbrella for comprehensive health services. "Patients of all ages, including children, sometimes need mental health support that goes beyond what our primary care team can offer," said CEO Lia Spiliotes. "Now, we can say, 'Look, we can help you. We have someone right here for you to speak with. Let's get you an appointment.'"
Led by supervising psychiatrist Dr. Leslie Fishbein, licensed clinical social workers are now on staff at CHP Berkshire Pediatrics and Neighborhood Health Center in Pittsfield, and at Lee Family Practice. Another social worker has been on staff at CHP’s Family Services location for several years but will now have more supervisory support. Staffing is underway for CHP’s practices in Adams and North Adams.
At CHP Berkshire Pediatrics in Pittsfield, CHP’s addition of behavioral services received funding support from Greylock Federal Credit Union and from an individual donor, Nicholas Boraski of Pittsfield.
CHP's team of behavioral health professionals includes Metta Burpee at CHP Berkshire Pediatrics; Julie Dostie at CHP Neighborhood Health Center, Pittsfield; Francine M. Licata at CHP Lee Family Practice. Cynthia Segui works at CHP Family Services in Great Barrington.
