Berkshire Grown works to establish food justice in our community, and recognizes the importance for everyone to have access to fresh, nutrient-dense food. We have two programs that address food insecurity at the same time as supporting our local Berkshire farmers and food producers.
Farm to Food Access, established in 2021, is a collaborative effort managed by Berkshire Grown. Currently we work with Berkshire Bounty, the Community Health Program in Great Barrington, the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington, and the South Congregational Church in Pittsfield, MA Farm to Food Access sets up large-scale purchasing contracts between local farmers and food pantries, providing a reliable year-round link to fresh, local, nutrient-dense produce, meat, and eggs.
Share the Bounty, is a long-running program. In the 2021 farm season, Berkshire Grown purchased 93 CSA shares from 22 Community Supported Agriculture farms delivered to food pantries, community kitchens, and participating WIC families for weekly shares of fresh produce, meat, cheese, and eggs.
Market Match helps boost food budgets by matching the balance on SNAP shoppers’ EBT cards. At the Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Markets, we accept SNAP and HIP and provide a 100% for match the SNAP balance on your card, up to $25.
Find out How to Apply for SNAP. In Massachusetts an additional $40, $60 or $80 a month is put back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy local produce via the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).
Take the opportunity meet local farmers and producers at the eight indoor Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Markets, held monthly, November through April. Click here for more information about the Winter Farmers Markets.
The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market will begin its new season to bring locally grown food to areas in our community of low income and/or low access to fresh food. Shoppers will find a variety of locally-sourced products at the market, including seasonal produce, eggs, meat, dairy products, bread, maple syrup and honey. We strive to make shopping at the market a stigma-free, welcoming experience for all and offer a FairShare payment system where shoppers can choose their payment category based on factors such as household size and income level. We invite shoppers to pay what feels right, based on their unique life situation.
We accept cash, credit/debit, Venmo, and Mobile Market Gift Certificates. We are working hard to be able to accept SNAP & HIP. Please stay tuned for updates at Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market.