BCC to Hold Farm-to-table Community Gathering Oct. 22

07:14AM / Tuesday, October 06, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC), together with Heart & Soil Collective, presents "Sharing Our Abundance: A Heart & Soil Collective Community Gathering" on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6–8 pm in the BCC Cafeteria, located in the Susan B. Anthony building on the main campus at 1350 West Street.

The evening will feature farm-to-table mocktails and appetizers, a family-style farm-to-table dinner with ingredients purchased from Berkshire County farms and dishes prepared by local chefs, and a silent auction raising funds to host free farm-to-table cooking classes in partnership with BCC's Essential Needs Program. Essential needs assistance at BCC includes a wide variety of support services related to food, disability services, mental health, financial help, employment, housing, transportation, healthcare and more.

In 2026, Heart & Soil launched a series of grant-funded farm-to-table cooking classes with BCC's Essential Needs Program. Each class featured a local chef sharing practical skills and simple recipes using locally grown ingredients purchased from Berkshire County farms. Participants learned skills, enjoyed food stories and a delicious meal together. The series was a success, and proceeds from the farm-to-table dinner will go toward cooking classes in 2027.

Tickets are $60. To reserve a seat, visit www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/PAQ9CC4GB2NUL. Every $1,000.00 raised covers the cost of a farm-to-table cooking class for 30 people.

"Sharing Our Abundance, A Heart & Soil Collective Community Gathering" is sponsored by Berkshire Money Management and Greylock Federal Credit Union.

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Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

By Brittany Polito03:00PM / Monday, September 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release.

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs.

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community.

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program. Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment.

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