Berkshire Bounty Receives Grants from Local Organizations

10:43AM / Monday, February 17, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. – Berkshire Bounty has announced the receipt of several grants from local organizations, including Fallon Health’s Community Impact Grants program, the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and the Josephine and Louise Crane Family Foundation.

The funding will support Berkshire Bounty’s operations and its Food Purchase Program, aimed at addressing food insecurity in the region. Greylock Federal Credit Union’s Senior Vice President, JamieEllen Moncecchi, expressed pride in supporting the organization, highlighting its efforts to improve food access through partnerships with emergency food sites and the Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market.

Cheryl Schmaltz, Community Engagement Manager at Fallon Health, emphasized the importance of the grant in expanding access to healthy and culturally inclusive food, especially in rural areas like the Berkshires.

Berkshire Bounty co-founders Mark Lefenfeld and Jay Weintraub thanked the supporters for the critical funding, which will aid both daily operations and the Food Purchase Program, enabling the distribution of more food to local emergency food sites.

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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

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.

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