These marvelous ladies are switching it up! Instead of a worker cooperative, they are a five member producer cooperative representing four different businesses, Gustitos Boricuas, Delicias de mi Tierra, Bendicho Capricho, and Berkshire Decoration and Events. Ana, Mariam, Nubia Sandra, Marcela are super excited to join this year's Pittsfield Farmer's Market as an official producer cooperative. 

 

They are super excited that 1Berkshire has allied with Roots & Dreams to provide immigrant focused funds in the amount of $15,000 to activate the small inlet commercial kitchen at 117 Fenn St, while Karen Pelto, Director of Berkshire Funding Focus, supports us in co-writing a grant to rehab the former bar, 129 Fenn St. also within our community owned real-estate project. which will open up a much larger shared commercial kitchen to include seating options. Access to shared commercial kitchen space is a game changer and  officially launches this catering cooperative into a whirlwind of activity, as local kitchen rental spaces were too high to support profit margins for the start-up.

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Now in their second year of co-op development, the ladies have worked closely with thier co-op developer MariaElisa to strengthen their individual businesses plans, while also creating a collective plan. They have prepared individual menus and a shared collective menu. Thanks to a 1Bershire mini grant, they will officially incorporate with the state of MA this month!  They are currently working on passing all health and permitting requirements and will begin working on a marketing plan! Catch them at Pittsfield's Farmer's Market this summer to taste delicious traditional cuisines and delicatessens from Columbia, Puerto Rico and Ecuador.