by Ann Krawet
If you are looking for a place nearby to purchase fresh locally grown vegetables and staples (eggs, breads, meats, dairy products and honey) at fair prices, then stop by the Becket Town Pavilion (next to Town Hall) from 3:30pm to 6:00pm on Fridays from June 28th through October 18th. The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market connects local farms and food producers to rural communities to provide fresh and affordable food. Becket is one of six Berkshire County locations (Monterey, Becket, North Adams, Adams and two locations in Pittsfield) where the Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market operates.
A “FairShare” tiered payment system makes shopping at the market affordable for all. Customers can choose to pay full retail price (“I can comfortably meet all my basic needs”), or 50% off (“I can sometimes meet my basic needs”), or use the market as a food pantry (“Access to free food helps me meet my basic needs”) for up to $60 of free food per household. SNAP/HIP, WIC coupons, and Senior’s coupons are accepted. The state-funded healthy food incentive program (HIP) will refund an additional amount per household size back onto the EBT card for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at the market. Unsold food is donated to local food pantries.
The Mobile Market is funded by a USDA Regional Food Systems Partnership grant, market sponsors, various foundation grants, and income from shoppers who purchase food at full retail price or pay with SNAP/HIP benefits. Staff at each market location includes a Market Coordinator, Market Ambassador and volunteers from the community.
Statistics from last year’s 10-week pilot program at three local market sites (which included Becket), validate the program’s efforts to mitigate food insecurity in the Berkshires, experienced by 21% of children in MA: $31,533 in local food was purchased, 27 farms and food producers were supported, and 70% of the 1,300 shoppers received free food.
Donate, volunteer, sign up for their newsletter or get more information at:
www.berskhiremobilefarmersmarket.org
email: kate@berkshiregrown.org
call: 413-528-0041
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