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Date: 5/23/2022
CHICOPEE – The city-funded, equity-based food market Center Fresh Chicopee returns for its second year on June 2. The market will run weekly every Thursday until October 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The market continues to operate outside at 31 Springfield St. in front of the former Chicopee Public Library space. Center Fresh Chicopee debuted in the summer of 2021 and ran throughout the year. After driving activity to the Chicopee Center area during the warmer months, the marketplace opened at the Ames Privilege apartment complex on 1 Springfield St. from October to December.
Center Fresh represents a partnership between the city and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. In an interview with Reminder Publishing, Chamber of Commerce Director Julie Copoulos explained that the idea initially came from Chicopee Center occupants who sought more fresh food options in the area.
“The idea came from a group of residents and businesses in the Chicopee Center area. They were making a call for more food options and more regular lively activity in the center,” said Copoulos. Center Fresh Chicopee’s first year marked a successful debut, with the marketplace establishing a loyal customer base and developing partnerships with other community endeavors, according to Copoulos.
Copoulos said providing equitable food access is one of Center Fresh’s key initiatives. The marketplace offers equitable access through a $10 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) match funded by Theory Wellness. Customers can also purchase farm shares from Bardwell Farm, which comes with seven to nine vegetables each week.
Interested customers can pre-order a farm share at https://www.bardwellfarm.com/csa.html.
Center Fresh will feature an assortment of weekly staples, like Bardwell Farm and Kim Cote Granola, alongside new options each weekly. The marketplace will also include live entertainment and a food truck with each gathering. Center Fresh’s June 2 debut will feature the Lemon Street Band and Batch Ice Cream.
For 2022, Copoulos said the marketplace welcomes a few revisions. She shared that a greater focus on capturing the lunch crowd through new food offerings and an earlier 11 a.m. opening time will be key ingredients to the market’s second year.
“We were able to make our first year as successful as a first year can be. Going into 2022, we’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going and growing it. Like any business, you have to invest a little bit of time to build up your consumer base,” said Copoulos.
Readers can find updates from Center Fresh Chicopee at https://www.facebook.com/centerfreshchicopee.