News / Pittsfield MA

The Downtown Pittsfield Farmer's Market is off to it's best season yet on the First Street Common. The new location, with plenty of parking right across the street and ample picnic and play space- including a splash park for children of all ages, isn't the only big upgrade this season. The exciting and much anticipated Double Value Program begins Saturday July 4^th . The DVP will allow shoppers to double their SNAP, WIC and Senior farmers market benefits. Basically, when you shop at the market for food using your SNAP/WIC benefits you can take home twice as much of the local harvest. How awesome is that?!

“We want everyone in our community, regardless of income, to have access to quality, nutritious food,” said market manager Jess Conzo in the 2014 Farmer's Market Report. She continued, “The Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market is dedicated to providing access to fresh, local, affordable food to low income and under-served residents. The market has the potential to serve more low-income residents than any other farmers market in the Berkshires, because of its location. Pittsfield is the largest community in the Berkshires with a population of 45,000. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2011 Low/Mod Income Summary Data, 52.4% of Pittsfield’s entire population is considered to be low-income.” The Double Value Program seems like a very effective way to serve our community and fulfill the mission of the market.

Another market initiative, the Farm-to-table Food Drive, is a collaboration with the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsfield. Over the course of the 2014 season the Downtown Farmer's Market donated between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds of fresh, local food to local shelters and food pantries. The beets, kale, lettuce, corn, carrots, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, coffee, bread and more are a big change from the non-perishables that these organizations typically receive. You can support these programs that directly benefit our community simply by coming to the market and enjoying all that it has to offer, every Saturday from 9 am til 1 pm through October. Want to do more? Get your tickets for the Blue Moon Rooftop Party, a benefit for the market on July 31^st. More information about the benefit party is available online at www.farmersmarketpittsfield.org under special events. 

"Farmers markets have become a critical ingredient in local economies, food systems and communities. Not only are they an economic boost to local farms and businesses, they can also strengthen community ties and promote healthy eating." - USDA That statement really rings true for me- the Downtown Market is so much more than a place to stock up on weekly staples, there are also chef demos, workshops and live music, it is the perfect Saturday morning family activity! Last Saturday I saw a basket of picnic blankets to borrow for a spontaneous picnic, a free lending library and yes, there's always plenty of good, strong coffee, hot or cold- I'll see you at the market!