Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Market Season Begins

Print Story | Email Story

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.

 

 


Tags: farmers market,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories