Berkshire Farms, Organizations Receive Food Access Grants

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $8.2 million to support greater food access to residents in underserved Massachusetts communities. 

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is awarding the Urban Agriculture Program, the Local Food Policy Council Program, the Massachusetts Food Ventures Program, and Local Food Purchase Assistance Plus Program grants to 42 businesses and organizations that will help strengthen the local food system and address food insecurity. 

"One of the most effective ways to combat hunger and food insecurity in our state is to strengthen our local food systems," said Governor Maura Healey. "We’re proud to support our community leaders who are at the heart of these critical initiatives that help to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown food."

In Berkshire County, Red Shirt Farm in Lanesborough was awarded $50,000. Grant funds will be used for infrastructure costs as this business completes its farm store and commercial kitchen, serving the greater community with fresh produce and new value-added products.

Berkshire Grown in Great Barrington was awarded $750,000. Berkshire Grown is collaborating with Berkshire Bounty to expand their Berkshire Farm to Food Access Partnership working across Western MA. This partnership with the regional Buy Local group works to provide a consistent outlet for locally grown produce and, through a strong network of existing partnerships across Berkshire County, deliver the produce to nearly two dozen sites.

Monument Mountain Sophomore Wins Congressional App Challenge

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:12PM / Saturday, January 17, 2026

Congressman Neal takes questions from students during his visit. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Monument Mountain Regional High School sophomore Jonah Sanabria is the winner of this year's Congressional App Challenge for the 1st Massachusetts District.

 

His Health Advocate application acts as just that in your pocket, Sanabria said, helping resolve one of the biggest problems in health care — miscommunication.

 

"Every day, patients of all ages go to the doctor feeling stressed, confused, scared and uncertain, meaning they often forget what they wanted to say, and they leave without fully understanding what was said or the plan ahead," he said. 

 

"It's not because doctors don't care; it's because the system is set up in a way that makes relaxed communications really hard. Appointments are abbreviated. Patients aren't always sure what they can ask physicians, and nerves often make them forgetful." 

 

The challenge was authorized by Congress in 2015 to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math. Each representative may host an official computer science competition in their districts. More than 85,000 high school students in all 50 states have since participated, with more than 18,000 in 2025.

 

Jonah beat out nine other submissions in the 1st Mass. His app will be featured on the challenge page and displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. In addition, he will have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill in the spring at a celebration called #HouseOfCode, where winning teams from across the country hear from lawmakers, interact with sponsors and partners at the STEM Expo, and demonstrate their apps.

 

Before a scheduled doctor's appointment, the program asks the user about their symptoms, health issues, and health goals and organizes and prioritizes questions to ask during the doctor visit.