Voices in Food Equity Event at BCC

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will host its third Voices in Food Equity event on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Berkshire Community College. 
 
The panel discussion brings together community leaders and residents to discuss school-and college-age food insecurity in the region.  The event is sponsored by Adams Community Bank, Berkshire Community College, Guido's Fresh Marketplace, Stone House, and Wheeler & Taylor.
 
Voices in Food Equity will feature a panel discussion with prominent voices in food equity who will share their insights and experiences specifically addressing food insecurity for children, youth, and college- students.
 
"I am excited to moderate the Voices in Food Equity, together we can brainstorm solutions addressing food insecurity and food inequity in our most vulnerable population," said Mary Feuer, Director of WIC and Family Services at Community Health Programs Inc, Berkshires, and member of the Food Bank Board of Directors. "Everyone deserves to have access to and to eat healthy nutritious, culturally diverse foods of their choosing."
 
The event will be held in the Connector, located between Hawthorne and Melville Halls.
 
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Please visit foodbankwma.org to reserve a spot.
 
Panelists include:
  • Lois Daunis - President of the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry Board of Directors
  • Aaron Oster - Instructional Program Manager for Food, Culture, and the Local Community at BCC
  • Jenny Schwartz - Operations Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at Berkshire Bounty
  • Jess Vecchia - Executive Director and Co-Founder at Roots Rising
 
A Q&A session will follow the discussion.
 
"We invite everyone who is concerned or passionate about food equity to join us for an evening of thoughtful dialogue and networking," said Andrew Morehouse Food Bank Executive Director. "Together, we can create a Western Massachusetts where no one faces food insecurity, and everyone always has access to nutritious food."

Tags: BCC,   food pantry,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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