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From Berkshires Farms to Berkshires Tables
By Cynthia Saunders Quinones
May 2009
I used to work at a local cafe when I was home from college for the summer. Every other morning or so, around 10:30a.m., I would take the cafe's largest colander and bring it up the road to the garden my mother and I planted each year at our house.  I would fill it with fresh lettuce, chives, peppers, and tomatoes from the garden, and get back to the cafe just in time for the produce to be washed and prepared for the lunch hour. Our garden was small, but we utilized it as best we could--it seemed the natural thing to do.
Back then, I didn't know anything about Berkshire Grown, an organization that unites Berkshire farmers, chefs, stores, and consumers. Today, the farm-to-table network has blossomed into a movement here in Western Massachusetts.
In an inspiring conversation, Berkshire Grown's Executive Director, Barbara Zheutlin, explained some of the reasons behind the movements’ evolution and the significance of this particular organization's work. The first and perhaps most obvious reason is one that anyone who has grown a garden knows: Fresh food tastes really good. And, on the flip side, farming is a challenging business.  If we want those farms to keep producing that wonderful food, they need our support to be strategic and consistent, as only an organization like Berkshire Grown can make it.
But there is something bigger happening here than just pleasing our taste buds. After all, when local farms are doing well, the local environment has that many more watchful eyes making sure that the land is taken care of in a healthy, sustainable way. The entire community becomes healthier--environment and economy both. And, if you really want to look at this through the wide-angle lens, buying locally is good for the whole planet. Think about the carbon footprint of trucking our food across states, countries, even continents, before we eat it. Keeping those "food miles" down adds up when you make a conscious effort to choose locally.
So, do I have you convinced? Are you as ready to try this as I am? Good news. Berkshire Grown is all about making it as easy and delicious as possible to do this. In fact, you can get started this weekend! For the first time in its ten year history, Berkshire Grown has organized a county-wide, local grown event called "Farmed + Foraged: A Weekend of Spring Flavors".  Throughout the area 18 participating restaurants will be offering delicious combinations of wild edibles and locally raised meats, artisan cheeses and other products, plus the earliest of spring greens and veggies from the Berkshire's own regional farms. Among the restaurants participating are those owned by the event's creator, Nancy Thomas: Mezze Bistro + Bar, Cafe Latino, and Allium. A full list of participating venues is available on the Berkshire Grown website, www.berkshiregrown.org. Prices, menus, and schedules vary by location; please call the restaurants in advance to confirm your plans and make a reservation.
The Farmed + Foraged event runs May 15-17, but rest assured that all of these Berkshire Grown members will continue to use locally grown and produced foods throughout the summer and beyond. And if you can’t make it for Farmed + Foraged, be sure to mark your calendars for Restaurant Week – June 7-11.
The Berkshire Grown website offers an easy-to-search online map that provides the locations, schedules, and contact information for just about every farmer's market,  farm stand, CSA (community supported agriculture), store, restaurant, and inn in the Berkshires that supports local agriculture and makes Berkshire County grown-or-produced foods available to the public. Whatever your purpose, Berkshire Grown can help you find the best way to take advantage of what is available here. Looking for a place to pick berries? Want to stay at an inn that will serve a locally grown salad with dinner? Or what about having organic local produce delivered to your home weekly throughout the summer? No more hoping to stumble into the perfect match, with the help of Berkshire Grown you’ll find exciting, delicious opportunities county-wide.
Cynthia Saunders Quinones is a freelance writer and the Director of Education for the Barrington Stage Company. A North Adams native and current resident, she is excited to live within walking distance of her favorite restaurants, yoga studio, and movie theatre. She can be contacted at cynthia.saunders@gmail.com.
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