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Dear Friends,
For the fifth consecutive year, we are launching our Market Match Fund community campaign because the reality remains unchanged — too many of our neighbors experience hunger. In the Berkshires, 1 in 6 community members rely on food support from SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.
Through our Market Match Fund, BAV supports SNAP doubling up to $30 per transaction at Berkshire-area farmers markets — giving those in need more purchasing power for fresh, local food. We are honored to play this crucial role in feeding our neighbors while also supporting local farmers and strengthening farmers markets. And we are deeply grateful for the community generosity and market partnerships that make it all possible.
If you’ve given in the past — please consider renewing your support for the Market Match Fund!
If you’re new to the Market Match Fund — your support during this year of SNAP cuts and rising food costs will make a real difference for our community.
BAV’s Market Match Fund is one of just two centralized funds for SNAP matching in Massachusetts. Our program supports 10 Berkshire-area farmers markets — nine markets in Berkshire County and one in Litchfield County, CT. At all of these markets, BAV now provides 100% of the funds that make SNAP doubling possible.
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Since 2022, BAV has given out nearly $500,000 in SNAP matching support to our local farmers markets. These funds have doubled 20,000 SNAP transactions and generated nearly $1 million in farmers market sales for our local farmers!
Every year, we hear firsthand why this program matters. Here’s a reflection from one local family:
“I LOVE the match program because it helps my SNAP benefit go further and gives me the freedom to choose healthy, fresh, and locally sourced products. My family feels good about supporting our local farmers and we are happier knowing our spending is benefiting the community and our region.”
Supporting our community, our farmers markets, and our farms is why we created the Market Match Fund back in 2022 — and why I hope you will make a gift to the Market Match Fund today.
Read more about our campaign below, and thank you so much in advance for your support!
Warmly,
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Rebecca Busansky, Executive Director
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Photo: Lion’s Tooth Farm, West Stockbridge Farmers Market | | MARKET MATCH FUND CAMPAIGN 2026! | | |
🎉🎉It's time to support the Market Match Fund! Our spring community fundraising campaign is up and running. Your gift supports $1 for $1 SNAP matching up to $30 per transaction to help feed neighbors and support local farmers.
🥕10 PARTNER MARKETS SUPPORTED:
With your support, BAV is able to make SNAP matching possible and sustainable at 10 Berkshire-area farmers markets this year. Here's to our wonderful partner markets: North Adams, Williamstown, Pittsfield, Lee, West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Sheffield, Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Markets, and New Milford, CT!
🎯GOAL — AND A GENEROUS MATCH!
Our goal for the month of April is to raise $45,000 from our community. We are off to a strong start — thanks to a generous donor who will match all gifts dollar for dollar up to $20,000!
We can do this!! Thank you for your care and generosity.
| | Photos, clockwise from top left: Full Well Farm at North Adams Farmers Market; Great Barrington Farmers Market; Floodgate Farm at West Stockbridge Farmers Market; Sheffield Farmers Market; Kathy DeVarennes at Lee Farmers Market; Meg Bantle at Pittsfield Farmers Market. | | |
Jake Levin attended the MA Farm & Sea to School Conference last month to learn about new tools and connections that are expanding food education and bringing local food into school meals across the Commonwealth. Nearly 300 farm-to-school advocates from diverse backgrounds attended. Pictured is a field trip to Reed Farm’s pastured poultry operation in Western Mass.
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Dan Carr, a Board member of the Northwest Connecticut Food Hub, took part in that organization’s Annual Meeting last month. The NW CT Food Hub supports a network of over 40 farmers with food safety training, marketing, sales, and logistics — connecting farmers and wholesale buyers to ensure our communities have access to fresh and healthy produce.
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BAV supports Massachusetts FARM Bill
BAV recently added our statement of support for the Massachusetts Senate's passage of the FARM Bill, agricultural legislation aimed at supporting the Commonwealth's 7,000 farms, making it easier for families to buy fresh and healthy food, and protecting the state’s food supply for the future. “This comprehensive bill would create a strong foundation for farmers at all stages to thrive and protect our agricultural land and practices,” wrote BAV Executive Director Rebecca Busansky.
Among other provisions, the FARM Bill helps owners of small farms grow their businesses by removing hurdles and supporting a local option property tax exemption for new agricultural buildings. The bill also makes it easier for residents to access healthy food by codifying the HIP program and the Farm to School program. The bill is now in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for further review.
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Regionally focused farm-to-institution project begins
Announced last month, BAV’s new Farm-to-Institution Value Chain Expansion project is now underway! Funded with a significant award from the USDA, this collaborative project will identify key gaps, needs, and opportunities related to strengthening farm-to-institution relationships and opportunities across the Berkshire-Taconic region of MA, CT, and NY. As a key outcome, BAV and our partners will develop an action-focused plan for enhancing local food purchasing by our regional institutions and increasing sales opportunities and stability for local farmers. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months!
| | Photo: Full Well Farm, photo by Stephanie Zollshan | | 🐑🐂🐔DIVERSIFIED LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE | | |
Thursday, May 21, 9am-3pm
UConn Extension, in partnership with BAV, is presenting its first UConn Extension Diversified Livestock Conference on May 21 at the Tolland Agricultural Center in Vernon, CT.
BAV Local Food Systems Program Manager Jake Levin will present on meat processing, and other speakers will address topics including small-scale poultry production, prescribed grazing, and sheep farming in Connecticut. A post-conference session will present options for integrating product taste into marketing efforts. Learn more and register here! Conference fee is $50 (includes lunch and coffee break).
| | 📣Attention, farmers!! If you are planning to apply for upcoming grant opportunities, please feel free to reach out to BAV for grant-writing support. We work with farmers in the Berkshire-Taconic region of MA, NY, and CT to match them with professional grant-writers on a cost-share basis that makes these services accessible. | | |
Massachusetts
Farm Viability Enhancement Program. Grant funds for identified farm improvement projects in return for signing an agricultural covenant to keep farm property in agricultural use for a 10- or 15-year term. Application deadline is April 14.
Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA). Program assists beginning farms between 1 and 10 years in business by providing technical assistance (including a mentorship option) and business planning assistance. Application deadline is April 14.
Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program (FSIG). Farms can apply for capital infrastructure and equipment projects that build a stronger, more resilient, and more equitable food system within Massachusetts. Application deadline is May 4.
Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP). Funding for farms to support projects in food safety, composting, environmental improvements, and energy efficiency or renewable energy. Application deadline is May 7.
Food Ventures Grant Program. Supports Massachusetts food ventures that improve access to healthy, affordable food and expand economic opportunities in low-to-moderate income communities. Application deadline is May 28.
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New York
New York State Food and Fiber Processing Grant Program. Funding for the construction and renovation of facilities and the purchase and installation of equipment. Priority given to expanding processing for fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans for human consumption; and for plant and animal fibers. Application deadline is April 28.
New York State Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grant Program. Grant funds must be used to implement a program that prepares or leads individuals to employment in the agriculture or food system sector. Application deadline is April 28.
| | Your gift to BAV expands food access, grows opportunities for local farmers, and strengthens our food system. During a time of challenge and change in our world, thank you for making a difference! | | | | |
