Market 32 and Freihofer's Baking Company Partner in Support of Parkinson's Foundation

12:20PM / Sunday, March 16, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market32/Price Chopper and its trade partner, Freihofer's Baking Co., are raising money to advance treatment and help find a cure for Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative condition that affects nearly one million people in the United States.

During March and April 2025, a $.10 donation will be made to the Parkinson's Foundation with each purchase of specific Freihofer's products, specially marked with shelf tags in most stores.

"The Parkinson's Foundation helps people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure," said Adrienne Casano, the Parkinson's Foundation northeast regional director. The money raised by Market 32/Price Chopper will help the foundation's mission of propelling us toward a cure. Every six minutes, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and we're grateful to Market32/Price Chopper and Freihofer's for supporting families in our communities impacted by Parkinson's."

"Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurogenerative condition after Alzheimer's, and its cause is largely unknown," said Pam Cerrone, Market 32/Price Chopper director of community relations. "By partnering with Freihofer's, Market 32/Price Chopper hopes our customers will join us in making a meaningful impact and helping fund groundbreaking research and vital resources for those living with the disease.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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