AMHERST — A summer program to bring fresh produce directly to food-insecure residents in Amherst recently began.
The Amherst Mobile Market, a collaboration between Healthy Hampshire, Many Hands Farm Corps, Hilltown Community Health Center and the Amherst Mobile Market Planning Committee, is making four stops per week through Sept. 15.
The stops are at:
■ Olympia Oaks on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
■Fort River School on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
■Butternut Farm on Saturdays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
■The East Hadley Road ValleyBike station on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Operated by Many Hands, the produce is grown there and at other local farms and then sold, at wholesale prices, for purchase with cash, credit and debit cards, and through SNAP, WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Those who visit the John P. Musante Health Center will be referred to the mobile market by community health workers.
Ryan Karb, manager of Many Hands, said in a statement that the program “matches our goal of meeting our community where they are and we are happy to be branching out.”
“I’m glad that Many Hands is getting involved with distributing healthy food to Amherst residents who have found it difficult to get local food,” said Lauren Mills, a community activist who has been involved in planning for the market.
The market was created as a response to Amherst’s prevalence of food deserts, defined by the USDA as “an area where people have limited access to a variety of healthy and affordable food.”
A grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is supporting the market.
The Downtown Amherst Foundation announced that 27 businesses are receiving grants in the second round of the Relief and Resiliency program.
The recipients include Arigato, Kaiju, Momo Tibetan, Oriental Flavor, Osteria Vespa and Sunset Grill & Pizza restaurants, Wheelhouse catering company and the Subways on Main Street and College Street that are locally owned and operated.
Dion Tack, J. Austin Antiques, Knowles Flower Shop and Mystery Train Records are the retailers awarded grants, while Global Cuts, Absolutely Hair, Amherst Extensions & Beauty Supply, Artressa Salon, Casimir Kocot Salon, Eliana’s Barbershop, Electrolysis by Athena & Lorraine, Elements Hot Tub & Spa, Hair by Harlow, Hair East and Sandy’s Barber Shop are salons and hairdressers who are getting money.
Awards for the service sector went to Amherst Copy & DesignWorks, the Hampshire Athletic Club, Fitness Together and Paul’s Shoe Repair.
The grants help business owners and staff struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Glenn Barrett, Ellen Brout Lindsey, Tony Maroulis, Irv Rhodes and Ralph Tate were on the review committee.
People can continue to make donations to the foundation at downtownamherstfoundation.org or by sending a check to 35 South Pleasant St., Amherst 01002.
Before Pride Month concluded Tuesday, a video depicting members of the Town Council, School Committee and other local leaders was broadcast on the Mill District Facebook page.
A write-up preceding the video states, “Since we can’t parade our Pride down the streets, gather with hugs and love at Drag Brunches or outdoor movies … yet …We’re celebrating with a little dance video to get the wiggles out!”
The people in the video perform to a remix of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and wear rainbow clothing and face coverings.
The video can be viewed at facebook.com/702341846492594/posts/3263652733694813/?vh=e&d=n.
For the agricultural and ecological importance of pollinators, and their decline in recent years, the Town Council recently adopted a resolution calling for the protection and enhancement of pollinator habitat on town-owned land.
The resolution was offered by Amherst for Pollinators in coordination with the Western Mass Pollinator Networks.
Among the measures included are a adopting management practices that welcome pollinators, mowing lawns every other week and minimizing the use of pesticides.
John Root, a member of Amherst for Pollinators, said those interested in helping with the campaign or as volunteer gardeners can contact him at 413-961-9059 or info@earthwiselandscaping.com.
MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., virtual meeting.
TUESDAY: Finance Committee, 2:30 p.m., and Public Shade Tree Committee, 5:30 p.m., both virtual meetings.
THURSDAY: Finance Committee, 2:30 p.m., virtual meeting.
