Wild
Oats, located in the beautiful hills and valleys of western
Massachusetts, is close to many small organic farmers and food
producers.As a small, independent cooperative business,
we are guided by the high standards, taste preferences, and healthy
eating habits of our members and customers -- not by a sales plan from
corporate headquarters.
We are able to offer a large and changing
variety of locally grown produce every day, in addition to local
artisanal cheeses, local handmade yogurt, and local dairy products. We
also stock locally raised eggs, grass-fed beef, local naturally raised
poultry, locally produced bulk nuts and seeds, kombucha, and much, much
more. When you visit our store, you will find that every one of our
departments offers local items. Just look for the Eat Local decal, or
ask one of our staff members for help.
These organizations support farmers and food producers, access to healthy food for all regardless of income level, and the environment in Berkshire County and Western Massachusetts.
Berkshire Grown is a non-profit
organization dedicated to supporting farmers and food producers in
Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Berkshire Grown sponsors events and
classes that encourage people in Berkshire County and the surrounding
areas to "Eat Local" by visiting local farmers' markets, joining CSAs
(community supported agriculture farms), and by educating themselves
about the variety of local foods offered by food producers in
throughout the county.
The mission of The Food Bank of
Western Massachusetts is to work with the community to reduce hunger
and increase food security. The
Food Bank works behind the scenes of nearly every
charitable organization that provides food to people
in need in western Massachusetts.
Our 400 member agency programs include soup kitchens,
food pantries, homeless shelters, childcare centers,
and elder programs throughout Berkshire, Franklin,
Hampden, and Hampshire counties.
New England Tropical Conservatory
NETC is devoted to conserving the
world’s natural resources and sustaining plant diversity. At its Education Center in Bennington,
Vermont it offers classes and school programs that explore the plant world and
teach sustainability. Its current Reserve shows
the diversity of plant life from meadows to wetlands to forests. NETC is planning a
future conservatory, which will house tropical plants indoors and be
surrounded by native plants outdoors.This botanical display will be the first of
its kind in New England.
The mission of the Coalition is to
improve the quality of life for
people in Northern Berkshire County by organizing, supporting, and
empowering
the community. The Coalition works to achieve its mission by providing
a public place for the community to gather and discuss issues; building
stronger neighborhoods; and promoting positive youth development
through programs and events.
Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity
Northern Berkshire Habitat For Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat
for Humanity International, with offices in North Adams,
Massachusetts. It is a non-profit, all volunteer organization and
receives no financial support from Habitat International. Currently, it is the only organization in
northern Berkshire County actively working to alleviate the shortage of
housing for low-income working families. Habitat for Humanity selects families based on
their need for housing, ability to repay a no profit mortgage, and
willingness to partner with HH. The family must provide a minimum of
250 hours of sweat equity in the construction of their home or other
community service. The family pays a mortgage just like any other
homeowner. These payments are then used to build more houses for more
families.
The
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) is a non-profit
organization of nearly 5,000 farmers, gardeners and consumers working
to promote healthy food, organic farming practices and a cleaner
environment. NOFA has chapters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.
