Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market Returns for Third Season

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market will launch its third season on June 17, 2025, bringing fresh, locally-sourced food directly to six communities across Berkshire County through October 17. 
 
The mobile market addresses food access challenges by delivering seasonal produce, eggs, meat, dairy products, and pantry staples such as bread, maple syrup, and honey to areas with limited access to fresh, healthy food options.
 
Operating on a tiered pricing system, the market ensures affordability for all community members. Customers can choose to pay full retail price, receive a 50 percent discount, or access products at no cost through the market's food pantry option. The market also accepts SNAP/HIP benefits and Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons (WIC and Senior coupons).
 
"We envision a food system where everyone is working together to support regional agriculture and food access in the community," said Katie Rubright, Mobile Farmers Market Program Manager. "Our mission is to bridge the gap between local food producers and community members by making fresh, healthy, local food accessible for all."
 
Market Schedule and Locations
 
The 2025 season will serve six locations across Berkshire County:
  • Cheshire (Town Offices, 191 Church Street): Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00 PM
  • Becket (Becket Town Hall, 557 Main Street): Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30 PM
  • Pittsfield (Wahconah Park, 105 Wahconah Street): Wednesdays, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
  • Pittsfield (Sheriff's Office, 264 Second Street): Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00 PM
  • Adams (Town Offices, 19 Depot Street): Thursdays, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (no market June 19)
  • Monterey (Community Center, 468 Main Road): Fridays, 3:30-5:30 PM (no market July 4)
 
Addressing Growing Food Insecurity
The mobile market model addresses rising hunger in the Berkshires, particularly in areas with limited access to fresh, locally grown foods. The collaborative effort supports both community food security and local agriculture by providing farmers with higher direct-to-consumer sales, lower marketing costs, and stronger social connections.
 
The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market represents a partnership between Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Bounty, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network, Berkshire United Way, and Community Health Programs. Each partner contributes expertise in different aspects of food production, storage, purchase, and distribution.
 
Stigma-Free Shopping Experience
The market prioritizes creating a welcoming, stigma-free environment where all community members can access fresh, local food with dignity. All products are sourced from local farms and food producers, supporting the regional agricultural economy while ensuring quality and freshness.
 
For more information about the Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market, visit berkshiremobilefarmersmarket.org.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough OKs Open Space Plan, Short-Term Rental Forms

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday set fees for short-term rentals and adopted an Open Space and Recreation Plan.
 
Town Administrator Gina Dario discussed the draft for STR registration and certificate of inspection since the new bylaws were passed at the annual town meeting.
 
The draft shows the process to file for inspection through Permit Eyes, the town's online permitting system that includes the state building code and safety requirements. Dario said members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals and the building commissioner looked at other town models to come up with the best process for registration.
 
Inspections will be annually for non-owner occupied units and five years for owner-occupied. The inspection fee is a flat $50. The last suggestion discussed was the posting requirements for key information.
 
Dario said they looked at about four other communities on how they used non-sensitive information on owner contacts. Chair Deborah Maynard motioned to have the information posted both inside and out to help with law enforcement if needed.
 
"I'm going to make a motion that we put that relevant information not only on the inside of the short-term rental but on the outside, so if the police need to respond, ambulance needs to respond, fire especially needs to respond, all that information is there, nobody has to go searching for it," she said. "If push comes to shove, and it's a matter of minutes, that's going to make a big, a big difference in the outcome of the incident."
 
The board then heard a presentation from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's community planner Andrew McKeever and Open Space and Recreation Committee Vice Chair Mark Hawthorne.
 
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