Market 32 Supports Local Food Banks Through May

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Market 32 has launched its two-month-long "Fill A Glass with Hope/Fill a Plate with Promise" campaign in partnership with the Northeast American Dairy Association, Garelick Farms, and local food banks. 
 
From May 1 to June 30, customers will be given the opportunity to round up their totals at the register to help provide local food banks with the means to purchase milk and other nutritious foods for the families they serve.
 
When school lets out this summer, more than 22 million children lose access to free or reduced-price meal programs. For many children in need, even basic staples like milk – and the nutrients that help power the simple joys of summer – are missing. Participating in this campaign will help get milk and food items to those who may miss it most.
 
"The American Dairy Association continues to go above and beyond in its efforts to bring fresh milk to those in need," said Pam Cerrone, Price Chopper/Market32's director of community relations. "We are proud to support their work in helping local families, especially during these times of increased food insecurity."
 
The American Dairy Association is leading the way to bring fresh meals to families in need. Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks, yet it is rarely donated. Raising funds through grants, individual donors and corporate sponsors, the American Dairy Association keeps 100 percent of all donations local to help deliver milk and essential nutrition to families with children in need in the community.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

ServiceNet Cuts Ribbon on Vocational Farm to 'Sow Seeds of Hope'

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lori Carnute plants flowers at the farm and enjoys seeing her friends. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Smiles were all around as farmers, human service workers, and officials cut the ribbon Friday on ServiceNet's new vocational farm on Crane Avenue.

Whether it is planting flowers or growing fresh produce, the program is for "sowing seeds of hope" for those with developmental disabilities.

"What Prospect Meadow Farm is about is changing lives," Vice President of Vocational Services Shawn Robinson said.

"Giving people something meaningful to do, a community to belong to, a place to go every day and to make a paycheck, and again, I am seeing that every day from our first 17 farmhands the smiles on their faces. They're glad to be here. They're glad to be making money."

Prospect Meadow Farm Berkshires held a launch event on Friday with tours, music, snacks, and a ribbon cutting in front of its tomato greenhouse. The nonprofit human service agency closed on the former Jodi's Seasonal on Crane Avenue earlier this year.  

It is an expansion of ServiceNet's first farm in Hatfield that has provided meaningful agricultural work, fair wages, and personal and professional growth to hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since opening in 2011.

Eventually, the farm will employ 50 individuals with developmental disabilities year-round and another 20 to 25 local folks supporting their work.

The pay is a great aspect for Billy Baker, who is learning valuable skills for future employment doing various tasks around the farm. He has known some of the ServiceNet community for over a decade.

"I just go wherever they need me to help," he said. "I'm more of a hands-on person."

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