The Berkshires Welcomes Back Teen-Run Pittsfield, MA Famers Market Returns Next Weekend, New Vendors and Events for 2022

Roots Rising is excited to announce that their teen-run Pittsfield Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 14 for its 10th anniversary season. The market will run weekly, rain or shine, from 9 am to 1 pm in the First Street Common through October 8. Each week shoppers will find fresh, local, and seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, flowers, artisan goods, as well as live music and children’s activities.

This season will feature many longtime and beloved vendors as well as new vendors. Crosswalk Coffee was voted “Fan Favorite” in Berkshire EforAll’s 2021 Pitch Contest. It is the area’s only human-powered cafe on wheels. Owner Nicholas Russo will be preparing coffee drinks entirely by hand- from the bean grinding, to the espresso extracting, to the milk steaming- all from behind a three-wheeled cargo bike.

In addition, Les Petits Choux joins the market. A new business was launched by Pauline and Louis Lassalle, a French husband and wife duo. Their specialty is a cream-filled puff pastry, or Choux, in both classic and seasonal flavors.

Also new this year, SECOND SATURDAYS! Once a month we will be serving up a SUPERSIZED market in partnership with CozQuest and the City’s Cultural Development Office. These days will include a Makers Market, kids yoga, obstacle courses, the Roaming Railroad, community workshops, contests and more!

In addition to providing local grown fresh food to area residents, the Pittsfield Farmers Market was founded with the belief that everyone has the right to fresh, healthy food, and we strive to make the market accessible and inclusive for all. The Farmer's Market accepts SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior FMNP benefits as well as debit and credit cards.

The Pittsfield Farmers Market is rooted in social justice. In the past 9 years, our market has facilitated more than half a million dollars in fresh food put on the table of those in need. One way we have accomplished this is through our food justice program Market Match, which doubles SNAP, WIC, and senior benefits. While the food is subsidized for our shoppers, our farmers receive 100% of the sales. In this way, our market helps build a just and thriving community

Jess Vecchia and Jamie Samowitz, Co-Directors of Roots Rising

Lastly, the market plays an essential role in increasing food security for the community’s youth. Summer Eats bridges the summer hunger gap by providing free, healthy lunches to all youth under the age of 18. This season, Summer Eats at the Pittsfield Farmers Market will run 11am to 1pm from July 2nd to August 20th.

For more information about the market, visit farmersmarketpittsfield.org and for more information about Root Rising visit rootsrising.org.