Hello, Friend of the Franklin County CDC
Spring is in the air (humor me, ok?). With the smell of maple syrup and the sight of daffodils poking through the ground, it's been difficult not to catch that spring fever. At the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center, we are gearing up for the upcoming harvest season. We are filling our schedule with all kinds of fun things, like frozen strawberries, garlic-scape pestos, bread-and-butter pickles, and a range of salsas for local farms. Each season, we are inspired by the many small farms that are starting, growing, and creating exciting new value-added products for our communities.
This past week, our Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center team kicked off the season with a trip to Wayland, MA, to attend the Local Food Trade Show, hosted annually by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts. This year the show was at Russell's Garden Center and we got to spend our morning meandering around the greenhouses there, which were filled with a wide variety of vendors from across New England. We sampled raw cow's milk cheeses crafted in Hardwick, MA; Mysore Chutney (Chili Garlic Sauce) from Brattleboro, VT; kombuchas that were naturally fermented in Bristol, RI (pictured in the header of this newsletter); and Misala Kichadi carefully blended in Melrose, MA. We scooped up plenty of treats to share with coworkers too...ginger candies from Watertown, coconut caramels from Saugus, wing sauce from Shrewsbury and cashew "cheeze" from Boston. What a day!
And then of course we had to order more treats online to share with foodie friends and curious family members (websites from vendors are listed in an article below). We encourage you to do the same for the local businesses you love–support them with your business, blast them in your social circles, and share their products and services on your social media platforms.
As economic and community development advocates and business advisors, we are forever in awe of the bravery, hard work, and grit it takes to launch and run a business. Food entrepreneurs who run food trucks, restaurants, and consumer packaged goods companies are particularly tenacious people and we are lucky to be along for the ride with so many wonderful businesses owners in our communities. Thanks for letting us come on the journey with you!
Sincerely,
Kate Minifie
Food Entrepreneurship Program Manager
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Our friend, former Congressman John Olver, died in late February, and here at the Franklin County CDC we've been remembering him as a true champion of Franklin County and of the first congressional district he served. He got involved, and really cared.
While Olver represented a large region, he was very accessible and always had a great grasp on what the Franklin County CDC did. He supported our programs because he knew they had an impact on people in this region. He saw the value in the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center, and as our Congressman, he made sure federal funding was available to match the state funding to get it off the ground back in 2001. He was also the creator of the Northern Tier Projects, which provided more economic development opportunities along the Route 2 corridor from Athol to North Adams.
John Olver continues to live on thorough the important projects he helped see through to fruition. We send our condolences to members of his family.
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Ending Hunger in MA with McGovern: A Progress Report This Friday |
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Those involved in efforts to end food insecurity are invited to attend an update from Congressman Jim McGovern on Friday, March 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This event is co-hosted and organized by The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Springfield Food Policy Council, Growing Places, Stone Soup Cafe, CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture), MA Food System Collaborative, and members of the western Massachusetts state legislative delegation. Register here to receive a link and call-in information. |
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Boston Local Food Trade Show |
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Several participants in our Wholesale Readiness Program, as well as current and former clients (see list below), exhibited at the Boston Local Food Trade Show earlier this month. Food Entrepreneurship Program Manager Kate Minifie attended and connected with them. She also compiled this rad video from the Instagram stories of attendees. If you feel inspired to sample some unique and delicious specialty food products, while supporting small start-up businesses, check out their websites below to order–or find their products locally! |
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We're Hiring!
Small Business Lending Associate
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Franklin County CDC is looking for a Small Business Lending Associate with financial analysis and small business experience. This person will work directly with potential borrowers and offer support in underwriting and portfolio management of FCCDC’s loan funds. Responsibilities include communicating with clients, financial statement analysis, loan documentation, loan monitoring/reporting, and relationship management. This is a great opportunity for someone interested in supporting small businesses and community lending. Join us and help make a difference! The full job description and information on how to apply are on our website.
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Client Focus: Carson's Cans |
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Walter Kleeberg Finds Success Through Commitment to Clients and Securing a Niche of His Own
There’s a vital piece of infrastructure without which many businesses can’t function: the portable toilet. Walter Kleeberg, owner of Deerfield-based Carson’s Cans, understands that he’s filling a niche. “It’s not for everybody,” he concedes.
And when it comes to the odor emanating from the products he supplies and services for countless farms, construction sites, outdoor recreation facilities, and festivals throughout the Pioneer Valley, don’t worry about Walt. “I don’t smell it,” he said with a smile. “It all looks like cash to me.”
The business he took over in 2012 has come into its own after much hard work and reinvestment. Walt recently was able to purchase a $120,000 truck fitted with a 900-gallon split-tank for servicing the toilets, as well as erect a 30-foot by 50-foot garage on his Deerfield property where he keeps three trucks. He owns a plot of land in the Greenfield Industrial Park that’s just shy of 2 acres where he stores toilets and other equipment, and he just put an offer on some land in Montague with a 40-foot by 70-foot garage. In addition to Walt and his wife, who manages the office, two drivers and a part-time office worker make up the team.
Financing from the Franklin County CDC’s PVGrows Investment Fund helped secure some of those investments, as his toilets help farmers comply with federal Food Safety Modernization Act rules, along with third-party audited Good Agricultural Practices, which are a requirement for many wholesale buyers.
He’s also a longtime client of the Franklin County CDC’s traditional lending department, seeking out financing–and advice–along the way.
“Without the CDC, I wouldn’t be here,” he said.
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Looking Back: A History of Entrepreneurship |
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For the Women's History Month edition of our series Looking Back: A History of Entrepreneurship, we are spotlighting LuJuana Hood, who founded the Pan African Historical Museum in Springfield in 1995. Ms. Hood passed in 2019, but the museum continues to showcase the contributions of Black Americans. A recent article in The Republican by Aprell May Munford quoted museum board member Andrew Keaton saying Hood worked to create programs that would bring history to life, be informative, and instill confidence in young people by teaching them who they are and the greatness from which they come. "She was always willing to teach, and her eyes sparkled when it came to teaching Black history. It is what she loved doing and it was like the ancestors were with her when she taught,” Munford quoted Keaton as saying.
Hood had been a volunteer at the Springfield Museums and worked at a printing company in Chicopee when she saw a need to shine a light on Black and Brown citizens. She quit both positions to found her own museum. Read Munford's article.
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The Shelburne Falls Initiative (SFI) pocket park and mosaic projects on the Buckland side of the village have are getting closer to meeting their match from MassDevelopment, but could use a boost from you! The deadline to donate is March 31.
SFI was grateful to receive an investment of $30,000 from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts last month. The donation pushed SFI past the halfway mark as it seeks to raise $50,000 in matching funds for a Commonwealth Places Grant from MassDevelopment. It now has $13,575 to raise. Thanks to those who have already donated!
The funds will be used for the construction of a new bicyclist-friendly pocket park and the installation of five or six new mosaic murals along Conway Street and the Deerfield River. The two linked projects are intended to boost the area’s arts community, support the local economy, and increase enjoyment of the historic village downtown and its rural region. The grants require a one-to-one match from the community.
Those interested in donating can go to the crowdfunding site Patronicity or mail a check made out to FCCDC/SFI to the Franklin County CDC, the group's fiscal sponsor. Our address is 324 Wells Street, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Mosaic below by Cindy Fisher
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FCCMP Welcomes Executive Director |
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The Franklin County Community Meals Program, a tenant of the Franklin County CDC's Venture Center, welcomed a new Executive Director this week, Kimberley Croce, MPH.
Kim has lived and worked in Franklin County as a public health and human services professional for more than 20 years. Most recently, she worked at Greenfield Housing as a Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator as well as serving as Board President of the Board of Directors of Just Roots.
"I am passionate about ensuring everyone has access to healthy, local food regardless of where they get their food," she said.
Interested in volunteering or donating to the meals program? Visit their website. |
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The fourth annual VegFest413 is coming up on Sunday, April 23, from noon to 5 p.m. at Rebecca Johnson School in Springfield. Organizers celebrate plant-based food and have been working to bring a grocery store to the city to give residents more healthy options. Several clients of the Western Mass Food Processing Center, as well as other vegan food entrepreneurs, will be on hand. Speakers include regenerative health practitioner Detox Tori, healthy food activist and Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group board member Sister Anna Muhammad, and Elizabeth Wills-O'Gilvie, board chair of Gardening the Community and Chair of the Steering Committee of the Springfield Food Policy Council.
The Franklin County CDC is a sponsor of this event and will be tabling there. Tickets are on sale now. Come join us! |
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Love the FCCDC? Review Us on Google |
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Positive Google reviews help the Franklin County CDC present itself in the best light. We invite you to think about what you love about this organization and write a Google review (or just give us 5 stars!) using this link. The Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center also has a link for Google reviews! Feel free to share these links with others who know about us. |
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Hiring
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is accepting applications for a full-time Program Assistant focused on helping farmers run thriving businesses. Find details and application on their website. |
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Donations Always Appreciated! |
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Donations of any size are needed now to continue free and subsidized business support for your neighbors!
Please consider the FCCDC in your yearly budget for charitable donations. As a non-profit organization we rely on donations to provide services to low and moderate-income residents. Many entrepreneurs turn to their family and friends when starting their business. For a lot of people in our area, their family and friends do not have much either, so they turn to their community–that’s all of us!
If you donate $1,000 or more, you may qualify for the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program.
CITC Credits help us maximize your gifts, while you get 50% back in state tax credits! Email Kate Lawless for details.
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Free Classes at the FCCDC |
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Starting a Food Product Business
Got a dream product? We can help!
Third Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Upcoming virtual session is on March 21.
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Grow Your Farm with Value-Added Food Products
We'll guide you through the food business roadmap!
Fourth Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Upcoming virtual session is on March 22.
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Grow Your Business
For businesses of all types at any stage
First Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
Upcoming virtual session is on April 5.
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Financing Farms and Healthy Food Retail
Professional guidance on local food businesses
Second Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
Upcoming virtual session is on April 12.
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Franklin County CDC | 324 Wells Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 | 413-774-7204 | fccdc.org
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