Holiday Farmers’ Markets offer local gifts

If you are looking for some healthy and tasty locally-grown gifts this holiday season you are in luck.

Berkshire Grown will host its popular Holiday Farmers’ Markets in Great Barrington and Williamstown  Nov. 17 -18 and Dec. 15 -16.

The markets feature locally-grown and produced food during months when farmers’ markets are not open in the region and extend the opportunity for community members to purchase directly from area food producers and farmers.

“We’re thrilled to host our fourth annual farmers’ markets,” says Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. “We’re extending the season for our local farmers, and offering the community an opportunity to support our local farmers and food producers. The success of these markets depends on everyone participating – we count on the community to celebrate our local food and farmers.”

The Thanksgiving markets will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School (318 Monument Valley Rd. in Great Barrington) and Sunday, Nov. 18 at Williams College Towne Field House (at 82 Latham St. in Williamstown).

Locally-grown, produced and prepared foods for the holiday table will be offered from farmers and food producers in the region including produce, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry, bread, pies, other baked goods and preserves, including pickles and jams.

The Christmas markets will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School and Sunday, Dec. 16 at Williams College Towne Field House.

Pre-order pickups will be available at the Holiday Farmers’ Markets as well as lunch items and live entertainment. Activities for children will be offered at the Williamstown markets, including crafts, face painting and a scavenger hunt. Admission to the markets is free of charge.

The Holiday Farmers’ Markets began in 2009 with two market locations and were held the weekend before Thanksgiving. Given the success of its first markets, Berkshire Grown increased the number of markets to four in 2010, adding the weekend before Christmas as a second economic opportunity for the food and farming community.

Last year the four markets were attended by 5,100 people and generated more than $100,000 in revenue for local vendors, a nine percent increase over the previous year’s figures.

Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy and landscape. The non-profit organization’s mission is to “Keep farmers farming!” and is the “go-to” network linking farmers and the Berkshire community.

Through events, workshops, promotions, advocacy and education highlighting locally grown and produced food, Berkshire Grown helps to create a thriving local food economy. For more information or to become a member, seeberkshiregrown.org or call (413) 528-0041.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on November 1, 2012. Filed under Community Events,Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry