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Welcome to high summer!
 As farmers' markets fill up with the bounty of the season, we are working to make that bounty more available to more people, and to bring more shoppers and dollars to those markets.
Through our SNAP & Save program, if you're using SNAP/Food Stamps, you can swipe your EBT card at participating farmers' markets, and we will double your money up to $10 per week! It's easy and free to participate, and available at markets throughout Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. Find a full list of participating markets and details on the program here, and a recent segment we did on Mass Appeal about this program here.
Tell your friends and neighbors!
Thanks,
The CISA Staff
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Next Barn Over Farm, Hadley
Photo by Jason Threlfall
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Well, it's July, so ... there's LOTS in season! Farmers' markets, farm stands, and grocery shelves are bursting with early tomatoes, all sorts of greens and herbs, squash, fennel, eggplant, cucumbers, you name it! And of course you can still find year-round goodies like cheese, meat, honey, maple syrup, and more. Visit our searchable online food guide to look for whatever you like!
We've also moved into blueberry and raspberry season. Looking to pick your own? Click here for a list of options!
And check out our weekly Valley Bounty column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette for seasonal inspiration and recipes. Recent columns showcased basil, garlic scapes, and green beans.
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Help make Taste the View a success!
CISA is seeking volunteers for our September 23rd harvest celebration and auction, Taste the View. From flower arranging to set-up, we've got a job for you! Contact Lisabeth to help out. Thank you!
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Visit our press room for recent news stories, including an interesting look at the wholesale dairy industry in western Massachusetts, coverage of State Sen. Eric Lesser's efforts to get more Pioneer Valley farms to the Boston Public Market, and special Dairy Month segments on both WWLP's Mass Appeal and WGBY's Connecting Point. You can also listen to our weekly radio interview series on WRSI with Local Hero businesses. Featured this month: Pete Mitchell of Headwater Cider in Hawley, Mike and Dave Wissemann of Warner Farm in Sunderland, Kate Parsons of Mayval Farm in Westhampton, and Erek Brown of Brown's Provin Mt. Farm in Feeding Hills.  Local Hero Profile: Roundhill Orchards
Asked what he loves best about farming, farmer Andrew Carl of Roundhill Orchards in Southampton points to the range and diversity of the work he and his partner Kate do. "There's no redundancy. Every day is a new challenge," he says. With a wide variety of fruit already being grown and plans for more on the horizon, life at Roundhill sounds anything but boring. Read the full profile here.
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Tough weather for some crops
A couple of recent news stories on the weather: the challenge that this extremely dry summer has posed to farmers is covered in The Recorder here, and the lasting impact of a late cold snap on the peach trees at orchards around the Valley is covered in the Daily Hampshire Gazette here. Despite these setbacks, markets and stands are still packed with fruit and veggies, so don't be dissuaded from local food shopping!
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CISA's events page is constantly updated with farm tours, field days, festivals, and more! Here are a few upcoming highlights:
1st Annual Franklin County Beer Fest
July 16, 12pm to 5pm
Berkshire East Lodge, Charlemont Join Berkshire East and The Recorder for an afternoon of food, music, and drink, featuring a number of Local Hero breweries and cideries. Find tickets here. River Valley Ice Cream Ride
July 30, starting at 9am
Unity Park, Turners Falls
The River Valley Ice Cream Ride blends the best of summertime fun: bikes, gorgeous roads and ice cream. With loops ranging from 5 to 50 miles, farm visits throughout each ride, and ice cream and tasty local food at the end, it guarantees to be a good time for everyone! Proceeds support CISA and MassBike. More details here, and register here.
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Do you value the news you get from CISA? Join 1,100 others in supporting CISA's work. We've been strengthening farms and engaging the community to build the local food economy since 1993!
Please do not take images or content to use on your own site or project without CISA's explicit permission. Please feel free to link to our newsletter. Archives can be found at buylocalfood.org. |
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Email: communications@buylocalfood.org
Phone: (413) 665-7100
Website: buylocalfood.org
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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