Berkshire Grown Indoor Winter Farmers Market Season Begins

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — In Great Barrington, the first in the season of six indoor Winter Farmers Markets will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Housy Dome (Housatonic Community Center).
 
Starting in December the five remaining indoor markets will run every third Saturday through April 19, 2025. The Housy Dome is located at 1064 Main Street in Housatonic and is included on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority BRTA route #21.
 
In North County, the Winter Farmers Market will take place at Greylock WORKS in North Adams on Sunday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 22, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Berkshire Grown is once again partnering with host Greylock WORKS to offer a mini maker market within the Winter Farmers Market, featuring a carefully curated gathering of local artisans.
 
Local musicians will play live original music at both market locations.
 
"We look forward to bringing back some of the extras that add sparkle to these wonderful winter farmers markets, including live music and the local artisan crafts at both markets," said Executive Director Margaret Moulton. "Raising our SNAP match to $30, thanks to BAV's Market Match program, is another highlight of the upcoming season."
 
Berkshire Grown's Winter Farmers Markets host farmers and producers from Berkshire County and the surrounding region, proving that the season to buy locally-grown food never ends for farmers and food producers in the Berkshires. Shop for locally-grown food, including fresh greens, winter squash, root crops, apples, meats, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, prepared foods, and more. Meet the artisans whose creativity, craftsmanship, and traditions are inspired by the Berkshire landscapes and farms.
 
Admission to the Winter Farmers Markets is free and food access is an integral part of the markets. Shoppers using SNAP will receive a match up to $30, and the HIP incentive reimburses shoppers who spend SNAP funds on fresh fruits and vegetables. SNAP and HIP can be processed at the market manager's station, as well as at several farmers' booths.
 
Berkshire Grown abides by current local health regulations regarding COVID-19. Masks are welcomed but not required, and shoppers are encouraged to stay home if they feel ill.
 
The market is made possible through sponsors: Berkshire Money Management, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Berkshire Food Co-op, Ed Herrington, Inc., Fairview Hospital, Rolling Rock Salt, Vitality Chiropractic, 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance, Inc., 328North: Farm + Flower + Food, Adams Community Bank, Blue Spark Capital Advisors, Fiber Connect, Guido's Fresh Marketplace, Lee Bank, Marty's Local, State Food +Drink, Blue Q, Housatonic Real Estate, Mercantile One / Sett, Mungy, Prairie Whale, Ward's, Wheeler & Taylor, Wild Oats Market and Williams College Zilkha Center for the Environment.
 
SNAP matching at the Winter Farmers Markets is funded by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures' Market Match program. Berkshire Grown also thanks the Town of Great Barrington and Greylock WORKS for hosting the Winter Farmers Markets, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for their ongoing support.
 

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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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