A sixty-nine vendor lineup is slated for the Great Barrington and Williamstown markets, held on November 17 and 18 and organized by Berkshire Grown, supporting agriculture and food producers in the Berkshire County region.
The most highly anticipated farmers’ markets in the Berkshires are hosted by Berkshire Grown during the autumn months when the chance to buy from local farmers and food producers is a rare special occasion.
Berkshire Grown’s Holiday Farmers’ Markets will be the largest Thanksgiving markets held to date in the organization’s four-year-history of providing the opportunity for local farmers and food producers to market during an extended season in New England.
This year, Berkshire Grown will present 69 regional vendors between two locations at their fourth annual Thanksgiving Holiday Farmers’ Markets on Nov. 17 and 18 in Great Barrington and Williamstown. Additional markets produced by Berkshire Grown will be held on Dec. 15 and 16 at each location.
Berkshire Grown’s Holiday Farmers’ Markets are a seasonal tradition for Berkshire residents and visitors alike who are offered a bountiful and dizzying array of choices for the holiday table. Shoppers will find locally grown eggs, meat, poultry, produce, micro greens, and tasty prepared delights such as handcrafted cheese, wine, pickles, kim-chee, sauerkraut, tempeh, marinara sauce,
"Berkshire Grown’s aim is to keep our farmers farming," says Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. "Our Holiday Farmers’ Markets extend the season for Berkshire area farmers. The markets are the most delicious way to strengthen our local economy because when we buy from farmers the money goes directly into their pockets and we get to eat locally grown food. It’s a win-win."
Berkshire Grown’s Thanksgiving Holiday Farmers’ Markets will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Muddy Brook Elementary School Gymnasium, 318 Monument Valley Road, Great Barrington, and on Sunday Nov. 18 at the Williams College Towne Field House, 82 Latham Street, Williamstown. Each market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be live music at both venues and a selection of lunch items will be available for purchase. The markets are free and open to the public.
The Great Barrington November market will present 34 vendors including Barrington Bites, Bean Yarn, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Berkshire Organics, Berkshire Wildflower Honey, BerkShore, Berle Farm, Broody Hill Cookies, Bug Hill Farm, Cedar Farm, Community Cooperative Farms, Cricket Creek Farm, Farm Country Soup, Farm Girl Farm, Foggy River Farm Vegetables, Fox Hill Farm Grassfed Beef, H.R. Zeppelin Handmade Chocolates, Hillhome Country Products, Indian Line Farm, Justamere Tree Farm, Klara’s Gourmet Cookies, Leahey Farm, Markristo Farm, Mayflower Farm, Maynard Farms, The Meat Market, Naga Bakehouse, North Plain Farm, Ooma Tesoro’s, Project Sprout, Raven & Boar, Sweet Brook Farm, Tortured Orchard, West River Creamery, and Zehr & Sons Mushroom Farm.
The Williamstown market will host 35 vendors in November including 3-Corner Field Farm, BabyCakes, Berkshire Organics, Berkshire Wildflower Honey, Berle Farm, The Berry Patch, Bug Hill Farm, Cedar Farm, Climbing Tree Farm, Community Cooperative Farms, Cricket Creek Farm, East Mountain Farm, Elmartin Farm, Farm Country Soup, Gammelgarden Creamery, Gramercy Bistro, Green River Ambrosia, Hawk Dance Farm, Hosta Hill, Ioka Valley Farm, Jaeschke’s Orchard, Klara’s Gourmet Cookies, The Meat Market, Mighty Food Farm, Mountain Sea Wearables, Naga Bakehouse, Ooma Tesoro’s, Peace Valley Farm, Queen’s Greens, Raven & Boar, Sweet Brook Farm, Tortured Orchard, West River Creamery, Wild Oats Market and Wildstone Farm.
A major sponsor of the markets is the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources which provided financial support to promote buying directly from Massachusetts farmers as part of the state’s "Massachusetts grown Š and fresher!" campaign.
Williams College is also a major sponsor of the markets. As part of Williams College’s ongoing commitment to sustainable food and local agriculture, the College is again co-sponsoring the markets by donating the Williamstown venue as well as providing funding toward the event. The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program and The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives are supporting the markets as a community partnership to further incorporate the principles of sustainability into the fabric of campus life.
In addition to generous support from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Williams College, a major sponsor of the event is The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce. Additional sponsors include Berkshire Co-op Market, Berkshire Organics, Kimball Farms, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Mezze Bistro + Bar and Allium Restaurant + Bar, Sweet Brook Farm and The Red Lion Inn.
Berkshire Grown’s Holiday Farmers’ Markets connect farmers and food producers directly with members of the community, strengthening the Berkshire Grown farm-to-table network. The Holiday Farmers’ Markets create new opportunities for farmers and food producers to increase sales of locally produced and preserved agricultural products, helping to boost the local economy.
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!" It 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 info or to become a member: berkshiregrown.org, 413-528-0041.
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