PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Roots Rising announced that the teen-run Pittsfield Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 14 for its 10th anniversary season. 

 

The market will run weekly, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm in the First Street Common through Oct. 8. Each week shoppers will find fresh, local and seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, flowers, artisan goods, as well as live music and children's activities.

 

This season will feature longtime vendors as well as new vendors. Crosswalk Coffee was voted "Fan Favorite" in Berkshire EforAll's 2021 Pitch Contest. It is the area's only human-powered cafe on wheels. Owner Nicholas Russo will be preparing coffee drinks entirely by hand- from the bean grinding, to the espresso extracting, to the milk steaming- all from behind a three-wheeled cargo bike.

 

In addition, Les Petits Choux joins the market. A new business launched by Pauline and Louis Lassalle, a French husband and wife duo. Their specialty is a cream filled puff pastry, or Choux, in both classic and seasonal flavors.

 

Also new this year is Second Saturdays. Once a month the market will be serving up a supersized market in partnership with CozQuest and the City's Cultural Development Office. These days will include a Makers Market, kids yoga, obstacle courses, the Roaming Railroad, community workshops, contests and more.

 

According to a press release, the Pittsfield Farmers Market was founded with the belief that everyone has the right to fresh, healthy food, and Roots Rising strives to make the market accessible and inclusive for all. They accept SNAP, HIP, WIC and Senior FMNP benefits as well as debit and credit cards.

 

"The Pittsfield Farmers Market is rooted in social justice. In the past 9 years, our market has facilitated more than half a million dollars in fresh food put on the table of those in need. One way we have accomplished this is through our food justice program Market Match, which doubles SNAP, WIC and senior benefits. While the food is subsidized for our shoppers, our farmers receive 100 percent of the sales. In this way, our market helps build a just and thriving community," said Jess Vecchia and Jamie Samowitz, Co-Directors of Roots Rising.

 

The Pittsfield Farmers Market also hosts a Giving Table, where shoppers and vendors can gift food to be donated to local pantries and shelters.

 

And lastly, the market plays a role in increasing food security for our community's youth. Summer Eats bridges the summer hunger gap by providing free, healthy lunches to all youth under the age of 18. This season, Summer Eats at the Pittsfield Farmers Market will run 11am to 1pm from July 2 to Aug. 20.