Even though I consider it a goofy, boring waste of time, it has been difficult for me to understand why the federal government has been in such a lather about TikTok.
A growing sea of similar stories that swell amid these trying times - when kids are out of school, parents are out of work, and the infrastructure of community that so many rely upon in order to survive feels tenuous at best.
People of all descriptions shop at the Pantry and some don’t speak English. The Pantry has translators who can help. When a new client shows up, a volunteer will escort them around and talk about the availability of different items.
In Berkshire County, roughly 10 percent of residents are food insecure, which means they do not have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
It is difficult for her to source local textiles because fabric is considered a low-end good in the United States. However, Kane recognizes the importance of supporting the local economy.
And at the center of this work is connecting people who are already interested in local food and farm-to-table ideas but don’t have on the ground experience; getting folks on the farms and in the field.
“Our day is about collaborating — in particular the collaboration of farmers,” said Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown, to an impressive group of participants who gathered at Sky View Farm in Sheffield to kick off the day-long farm tour.
"The concept of eating healthy shouldn't be unique but sadly it is. If we treat people equally regardless of their economic status, it becomes habitual and I think we can have a healthy Massachusetts."
--- State Rep. William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli
“Community Supported Agriculture is a relationship between farmers and consumers. It is sharing the risk and also sharing the bounty... the term was literally coined in my dining room in 1986.”
-- Elizabeth Keen, owner of Indian Line Farm in South Egremont, Massachusetts
This year there are 140 members who pick up their shares on Tuesday or Friday from June 1 through to the end of October. Indian Line also offers working shares, which is a discount in exchange for 30 hours of work on the farm. Some people will work the barn on pickup days, and others help in weeding or harvesting.
“We wish all the local markets good success in supporting farmers and customers. We welcomed the GB Farmers' Market because we believed our missions to be in good alignment and worked hard last year to support a mutually successful season.”
--- Statement from Great Barrington Fairgrounds, upon learning the Farmer’s Market would move back to downtown Great Barrington after one year at the Fairgrounds
There is a fresh menu every day so no matter how regularly you dine at Allium, there’s always something new to taste. "I like food that’s fun and interactive."
-- Allium chef Daire Rooney
The full name of Smith’s restaurant is “John Andrews, a farmhouse restaurant.” Thus it is not surprising that each week Smith presents a special menu highlighting the bounty of a local farm. Recently the menu featured Susan Sellew’s Rawson Brook Farm goat cheese.
