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.
The program reaches underserved populations throughout western Massachusetts that don’t have access to healthy foods, including families, seniors and children.
Census specialist Mark Sebastino emphasized that all responses are protected by Title 13 of the federal code, which prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing personal information with any other government agency or court.
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.
State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump is calling on the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Health to address the barriers.
In a letter to the editor, MaryBeth Merritt writes: "Many mothers stop breastfeeding early if they lack help, time and privacy. When fathers, partners, families, employers and communities support new mothers, breastfeeding rates and duration increase."
This year’s WIC farmers’ market checks will be issued in the amount of $25 per eligible client. And the good news doesn’t stop there: Through the Market Match program, all WIC checks will be doubled.
For 25 years, Mel, along with many helpers and his well-worn pickup, drove to the markets, bakeries and cafes of Great Barrington each week collecting food donations and distributing them to a variety of organizations.
The pilot program, modeled on what a lot of markets across the country do, is rooted in a fundamental belief: The rich, local agriculture system belongs to everyone.
As the “social determinants of health” move into focus, we must reach beyond vital signs, the histories, the medication lists: We now ask patients about housing stability, transportation access, family relationships, caregiving challenges, friendships, food security.
The Great Barrington Farmers' Market is a producers-only market in the heart of historic Great Barrington and is lucky enough to be the host of 36 weekly vendors representing a wide array of the Berkshire dynamic food landscape.
The six candidates for Great Barrington Selectboard range from two men and one woman who have been on the scene for a long time to younger office seekers looking for generational change on the board.
At CHP Family Services, a rich tapestry of offerings is aimed at helping families cope with challenging circumstances and develop relationships in the process.
Each year five writers across disciplines will be awarded residencies for the Mastheads program that will include a $900 stipend, housing, daily lunch and exclusive use of one of five studios located throughout Pittsfield.