Market 32 and Freihofer's Launch Campaign for Parkinson’s Research

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Market 32 and Price Chopper have partnered with Freihofer's Baking Company to launch an in-store fundraising campaign benefiting the Parkinson's Foundation.

The initiative, running through March and April, provides financial support for research, patient care, and efforts to find a cure for Parkinson's disease.

During the two-month promotion, $0.10 from every purchase of select Freihofer's products will be donated to the foundation. Participating items are identified by specially marked shelf tags in most Market 32 and Price Chopper locations.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition and the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States. According to the organizations, the disease affects nearly one million Americans, with a new diagnosis occurring approximately every six minutes.

"Parkinson's disease touches countless families across our communities," said Pam Cerrone, director of community relations for Market 32 and Price Chopper. “By partnering with Freihofer's, we're inviting our customers to join us in making a tangible difference."

The collaboration is part of a decade-long charitable history between the retailers and the baking company. Since 2014, the partnership between Market 32, Price Chopper, and Freihofer's has raised a total of $2.5 million for various non-profit and charitable organizations.

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EPA, GE Conducting Vernal Pool Study on Housatonic River

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A pilot study will determine the best way to remediate PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, from vernal pools in the Housatonic River. 

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric held an open house for the Vernal Pool Pilot Study on Reach 5A, a five-mile stretch between the river's confluence and Lenox border.  Despite the rain, several people attended the event at the Berkshire Athenaeum. 

EPA project manager Josh Fontaine explained that it is an evaluation of which remediation method to use for the remaining vernal pools in Reach 5A. 

"We're going to be testing two different methods. One is an excavation method, which we already know has been very successful with another vernal pool cleaned up much earlier in the project," he said. 

"And then the other is the application of two different carbon amendments. It would be the application of powdered activated carbon and the application of granulated activated carbon." 

Ten vernal pools will be cleaned using these methods: five with excavation and five with active carbon; seven additional vernal pools will be monitored as controls. Construction will be complete around October, but the pools will be left to their natural processes and monitored with surveys and sampling for three years. 

Fontaine said there is no frontrunner for methodology. 

"We know the excavation method is effective, but we would like to see if the less invasive method of using the amendment will be as effective for potential use," he said. 

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