Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Market Season Begins
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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Grown kicks off their 2022-2023 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 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Housy Dome (Housatonic is a village of Great Barrington) on Saturday, Nov. 19, and run through Saturday, April 15, 2023.
The North Adams/Williamstown Winter Farmers Market will take place at Greylock WORKS on Sunday, Nov 20 and Sunday, Dec. 18, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Housy Dome is located at 1064 Main Street in Housatonic and is included on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority BRTA route #21. The Great Barrington indoor winter markets will run all winter on the third Saturday of the month through April, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
"We are thrilled to offer these indoor winter farmers markets again this year," Executive Director Margaret Moulton said. "The Winter Farmers Markets provide community members the opportunity to support local farmers and to stock up on locally grown winter vegetables, greens, cheese, and meats, as well as honey, maple syrup, baked goods, jams, and hard cider."
The monthly winter markets feature locally grown and produced foods found in the Berkshires. Vendors offer local products ranging from winter squash, greens, and root crops, to apples, meats, cheeses, honey, and maple syrup, as well as baked goods, jams, ferments, and cider.
Admission to the Farmers Markets is free and SNAP is accepted with a 100 percent match, available at the Market Manager’s table. HIP is also accepted at the market for shoppers using SNAP. Several farmers and Berkshire Grown are authorized to process the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), adding extra money for fruits and vegetables on top of regular SNAP benefits.
Both North Plain Farm and Off the Shelf and North Plain Farm will grill their signature sandwiches and sausages outside the Housatonic location, and No Comply Foods will sell hot drinks made with their Golden Milk Base. At Greylock WORKS The Break Room will be open indoors, offering coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch.
Mask wearing is highly encouraged but not mandatory; the policy may be subject to change during the season according to health regulations. Keeping safety a priority shoppers are encouraged to plan ahead by making a shopping list and sending only one or two household members to the market.
Winter Farmers Market sponsors include: the Berkshire Food Co-op, Jane Iredale, Rolling Rock Salt, Ed Herrington, Inc., the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives at Williams College, Berkshire Property Agents, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, Lee Bank, Marty’s Local, MountainOne, and the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies. We also thank the Town of Great Barrington for its support in our use of the Housy Dome as a market venue, and Greylock WORKS for hosting the North Adams/Williamstown Winter Farmers Markets, and deep appreciation to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture for its support of the Winter Farmers Markets.
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, podcasts, 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.
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