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Date: 8/8/2023
HATFIELD — During a meeting on July 21, the Hatfield Planning Board approved a site plan review for Myers Produce, the regional distributor and trucking company that will set up shop at 97 N. Hatfield Rd. by the end of this year.
The company plans to move its Hadley operations into the same spot where the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has housed its headquarters since 1987. The Food Bank is moving its operations to Chicopee by the end of September.
According to Annie Myers, the owner of Myers Produce, her company buys food from farmers that are primarily from Vermont and Massachusetts and then distributes the food to customers in New York City and Boston. She said they have operated out of Hadley for 10 years but have been looking for a more permanent space.
“We’ve been looking for the appropriate warehouse for a while, and it’s exciting because this facility is pretty much exactly built for what we do, and it’s similar to what the Food Bank is currently using it for,” Myers said, during the meeting.
The Food Bank’s new headquarters in Chicopee will be 63,000 square feet and is located at 25 Carew St. According to past Reminder Publishing reporting, the Food Bank elected to move its operations in the wake of rising food insecurity rates, which were driven by the conclusion of coronavirus pandemic-based assistance programs and rising inflation figures.
The Hatfield location was deemed insufficient by the Food Bank for the increased need. A lack of storage space forced the food entity to turn away more than 1 million pounds of food donations over the last three and a half years. The food bank’s current location also possesses insufficient loading docks and persisting supply chain issues.
“Sad to see [the Food Bank] leave because they are such a staple in town, but [I’m] excited to see a similar business supporting local farms taking over that spot,” said Hatfield Planning Board Chair Stephanie Slysz.
Myers said no exterior changes will be made to the property and she also expects traffic to be at a minimal volume.
The Hatfield Planning Board unanimously approved the site plan review after discussing minor conditions around traffic calming.
The board also passed a site plan review for a new hair salon at 22 West St.
Kate Poole, a Hatfield resident, and owner of Vici Hair Studio in Amherst said she wants to move her current salon to town.
“Over the years living here, we’ve noticed that there are no hair salons in the area between Deerfield and Northampton,” said Poole, who has owned her Amherst studio for a decade. “We think the town would benefit from a hair salon.”
When opened, Poole’s new salon will slot next to Sisters’ Convenience Store and replace the old bank that used to be there. She said three chairs will be available.
“I think this is a great fit for this parcel,” Slysz said.