‘Locally Grown To Local Homes’ Campaign

Heart & Soil Collective addresses local food access across Berkshire County by paying small farms, getting fresh food to local homes for free, and empowering communities to connect with the land.

But the challenges are many. Small farms face increasing expenses for transportation, equipment, and packaging. Federal funding for farms and nonprofits has an uncertain future. On top of all that are problems of labor shortages and climate change. At the same time, nearly 14% of our county’s population are single seniors, living alone. And there are over 50 families with children receiving care through Pediatric Palliative Care Hospice of the Berkshires. It’s impossible for many of these community members to shop at farmers markets and purchase fresh, local foods. Families and seniors lose out on healthy delicious meals. And the farmers lose opportunities to sell their goods.

We found ways to address all these challenges by purchasing directly from small farms and delivering at no cost to local homes. 

Since 2020 our Community Produce and Soup Programs have expanded to serve seniors and families across the Berkshires reaching a total of 219 homes/ 416 individuals, paying our Partner Farms $45,500, cooking and delivering 600 gallons of soup and delivering 3,529 bags of free, fresh, locally grown produce. USDA funding allowed us to expand this work even more in 2023 and 2024.

Now is the time to purchase more food from farms and feed more neighbors. But USDA grant funds have ended. Future Federal funding is up in the air. Now, it’s up to you.

This campaign is your opportunity to sustain and grow our programs throughout Berkshire County. Let’s come together to connect people with local food!

Here’s where Campaign Funds will go: 

• • 70% goes to paying our Partner Farms for fresh produce they grow locally 
  • 15% pays staff to deliver produce, cook BIG batches of soup and covers rental fees for commercial kitchen use
  • 10% creates jobs through two paid Summer Internships with Heart & Soil Collective where interns pack and deliver produce, maintain community gardens & help with farm tours
  • 5% Covers expenses for delivery bags, soup cartons and labels so produce & soup arrive fresh to local homes

• 100% provides free, fresh food to seniors & families in your community!

At Heart & Soil Collective, we rely on volunteers. That can be a challenge when schedules or availability change. But because we partner with such a large network of local farms, organizations, and businesses, as well as our amazing volunteers, our programming can sustain these challenges.

Climate change is a challenge that impacts each growing season for our Partner Farms, but there isn’t much (aside from a natural disaster) that will stop our Community Produce and Soup Programs from succeeding when you join in!

Each year our tree of community connections grows new branches and deeper roots. Join in now to be part of this year’s growth!