Greylock boosts access to local food through support of Berkshire Grown’s Mobile Farmers Market
Oct. 21, 2025 (PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – The Berkshires is synonymous with farm-to-table culture, yet more than a third of Berkshire County experiences some level of food insecurity, and many farmers struggle to sustain their livelihood.
In service of caring for the Berkshire community, Greylock Insurance Agency, along with partner Arbella Insurance Foundation and Greylock Federal Credit Union, has awarded a combined grant of $4,500 to Berkshire Grown to help fund the Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market.
“Before you can think about insurance and other forms of financial health, you have to first meet your most vital needs, like feeding yourself and your family,” said Lori Goodell, Senior Vice President, Greylock Insurance Agency. “All of us at Greylock do our best to lead with heart. Supporting Berkshire Grown and this incredible program is part of our commitment to caring for our community. We are thrilled to continue partnering with Arbella to help fight food insecurity in the Berkshires.”
According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, food insecurity rates in the Berkshires is at 39 percent, with children experiencing even higher rates at 43 percent statewide. Rural regions, such as the Berkshires, have limited transportation, higher housing costs, and lower wages, which create obstacles to affording fresh food.
The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market is one way Berkshire Grown helps feed people while supporting farmers. The Mobile Market uses funds from donations and grants to purchase fresh local food from more than 50 area farms. In collaboration with partner organizations, including Berkshire Bounty, the Mobile Market distributes seasonal produce, dairy, meats, and other goods such as honey and bread, to low-income, underserved, and often rural, communities of the Berkshires.
“Many areas, like the hill towns and Pittsfield’s inner city, lack nearby, walkable grocery stores or pantries,” said Katie Rubright, Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market Manager. “Not only does the Mobile Market make accessible fresh, nutritious food, it also strives to create an inclusive, stigma-free shopping experience with a tiered payment system. Shoppers can choose a price that fits their budget.”
In addition to the tiered payment system, which allows customers to pay retail price, a 50 percent discount, or receive up to $50 worth of food for free, the Mobile Market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program. Over the course of 17 weeks from June through October, the Mobile Market stopped weekly at sites in Adams, Becket, Cheshire, Monterey, and Pittsfield.
A key component of Berkshire Grown’s mission is to assist farmers in growing the food the community needs; the Mobile Market pays full prices for all products, regardless of how much the consumer is able to pay.
“The program specifically benefits seniors, children, and historically underserved communities, particularly those in Environmental Justice neighborhoods,” said Rubright. “We have the highest percentage of people more than 80 years old in the state, and many of them face mobility challenges. Our goal is to make locally grown food more accessible to the people who need it most, and at the same time, support small and mid-sized farms by helping bring their products to a wider market.”
Margaret Moulton, Executive Director for Berkshire Grown, sees the relationship between the farms, Berkshire Grown, and the Mobile Market as an important way to bolster the health of the Berkshire economy.
“Local agriculture is vital to the Commonwealth’s food supply and economy, but too often farmers earn less than it costs to grow our food, on average, just 95 cents for every dollar. Choosing to buy local strengthens farm businesses, expands access to fresh, healthy food, and helps preserve the farmland that defines our communities,” said Moulton.
For more information about Greylock’s charitable giving, visit greylock.org/sponsorships.
About Greylock:
Greylock Federal Credit Union’s vision is to be the face of financial equity and inclusion in the communities we serve by offering personal and business accounts; mobile, online, and phone access to your finances; free financial education for the community as a whole; unique lending products to suit the specific needs of our Members; investment services through Greylock Investment Group; and insurance products through Greylock Insurance Agency.
Greylock is wholly owned by its Members and offers full-service branches in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee, Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Lanesborough, and Lenox, Mass., and Greenport/Hudson, N.Y. Greylock has a Low-Income Designation (LID) from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and certification by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund allowing the Credit Union to offer expanded services to low- and moderate-income families. More information is available at www.greylock.org. Insured by NCUA.
About Greylock Insurance Agency:
The Greylock Insurance Agency serves the insurance needs of individuals plus small and medium sized businesses throughout the Northeast. As a trusted insurance provider, Geylock Insurance Agency is committed to finding the right fit for each customer through our complete line of asset protection products. As a subsidiary of Greylock Federal Credit Union, Geylock Insurance Agency will add to the value Greylock provides to customers and credit union members. Learn more at www.greylock.org/greylock-insurance-agency.
About Berkshire Grown:
Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local farms, creates community partnerships that connect people to local food, and builds an equitable and resilient food system that strengthens local food security. Their vision is a thriving regional food system where farmers can access affordable farmland and grow the food the community needs. Berkshire Grown’s roots reach back to 1985 when a group of community members began raising awareness about the loss of Berkshire farms and creating local food networks. Learn more at berkshiregrown.org.
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