or Ben Grosscup, Keep Farming® Regional Representative for Massachusetts Glynwood Center  Office: 413-549-1568   bgrosscup@glynwood.org

PVGrows Loan Fund to provide up to $1 million for agricultural enterprises

Loans aim to expand availability of local food

"A new $1 million Pioneer Valley-based loan fund has begun making direct loans to small businesses that strengthen local agriculture and the food system. The PVGrows Loan Fund aims to bring more local food to local markets through the financing of post-harvest agricultural infrastructure such as packing, processing, storage, and distribution.

"Beginning in December, start-ups, established enterprises, cooperatives and non-profits are eligible to apply for the loans, which range from $35,000 to $250,000. Successful applicants do not need to be farm-based business, but do need to demonstrate how their business model supports local farms. Ideal projects will also increase the availability of nutritious, local food to the many residents of underserved communities who are located in close proximity to the highly productive farmland of our region.

"'Demand for local food in the Pioneer Valley is booming,' said Philip Korman, Executive Director of the South Deerfield-based Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). 'Farmer-to-consumer direct sales at farmstands and farmers' markets are the path to economic sustainability for many farmers, but they are only one piece of an economically robust local food system. We need processing facilities and other infrastructure that adds value to agricultural products in order to make more locally grown food available throughout our region. Together, the organizations that make up the PVGrows loan fund can support the creation of that infrastructure.'

"The fund's first loan will go to Athol-based Organic Renaissance, LLC to facilitate the provision of fresh, locally grown farm products to restaurants, retailers and other buyers. Organic Renaissance operates a unique web-based portal called the Northeast Food Exchange which allows local food producers to list products, availability, and pricing for direct sale to restaurants, retailers, schools, or other buying groups...."

Buy Locally!

Looking for locally grown or produced gifts for holiday giving? Check out Berkshire Grown's web site for ideas! Browse our Food Producer members here

and you'll find a wide variety of locally made foods, baked goods, yarns, candles, sheepskins, books such as The Locavore Way, and other items for a meaningful gift that supports farms and the local economy!

Or call us at Berkshire Grown, 413-528-0041, for our own notecards, tote bags, visors - or our custom-designed silver charms from local sculptor Dai Ban in the shapes of apples, forks, pea pods, cheese wedges or pigs.

Or you can always give the gift of a Berkshire Grown membership here!