Roots Rising and the Berkshire Black Economic Council have partnered to create the BIPOC Vendor Fund at the Pittsfield Farmers Market.

 

The fund supports BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers and entrepreneurs, and is funded thanks to the generous support of Greylock Federal Credit Union.​

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Through this fund, Roots Rising recognizes that there are institutional barriers that farmers of color have endured for centuries. From discriminatory practices at the USDA to unequal access to credit, land and resources due to systemic racism, we know that the tools required to build a fair livelihood and generate wealth are not equally available to all members of our community. As such, this fund is meant to be a concrete step towards remedying that injustice by expanding access to sales channels for BIPOC farmers and entrepreneurs.

 

The 2023 award will cover the cost of an outdoor season booth fee as well as a maximum of $500 towards supplies, permits or business development. A limited number of awards are available, and the maximum grant award is $1,000. More information is available on the application page.

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Note: When applying for the fund, please fill out the Vendor Application at the same time.

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