Roots Rising’s mission is to empower youth and build community through food and farming. Their vision is to lift up teens as community changemakers and to strengthen the local food system through the transformational power of meaningful work in Berkshire County.
Roots Rising has two main initiatives: their Youth Crews and the Pittsfield Farmers Market. The market's closure has had a huge economic effect on their farmers. It’s also a strike against food security for their low-income neighbors.
So, with generous emergency funding and support from many community organizations they have launched a Virtual Farmers Market. You can now order food online from a variety of farmers and food producers and have it delivered right to your door - Berkshire county-wide!
Roots Rising co-directors Jess Vecchia and Jamie Samowitz joined us.
