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Date: 11/30/2022
CHICOPEE – The equity-based food market Center Fresh Chicopee returns for its indoor marketplace on Dec. 1 at Ames Privilege at 1 Springfield St. The indoor marketplace created by the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce will also take place on Dec. 8 and 15, with each market running from 4 to 7 p.m.
The indoor market will conclude Center Fresh Chicopee’s second year of operation. Former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie Copoulos spearheaded the marketplace project two years ago after hearing ideas from residents and businesses.
“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 in 2021 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 was 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.
Under the leadership of the chamber’s new executive director, Melissa Breor, Center Fresh Chicopee continues to prosper. Breor said the market served as her initial connection to the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce.
“I grew up in Chicopee, and when I saw there was a new food market started last year, I was really excited, especially activating the downtown space,” said Breor.
Breor served as a volunteer for Center Fresh Chicopee before taking over as executive director the Chicopee chamber in August. Like Copoulos, she views farmers markets as essential community projects.
“It’s really something special. I’ve seen farmers markets really become great community hubs, like what Tuesday market has done in Northampton and the Easthampton market has really taken off in the last couple years. They just really bring life and vitality to a city center,” said Breor.
With Center Fresh Chicopee’s second indoor market, Breor said the chamber is experimenting with new ideas. The market’s later hours will look to take advantage of holiday shoppers, while the market itself will also include more artisan vendors alongside farms and produce.
“It’s kind of like a proof of concept to see how valuable it would be to have something like that open year-round … This is testing the waters for it,” said Breor.
The local food truck staple, Island Spice food truck, will also be at the marketplace. Breor aspires for the indoor marketplace to be a local option for Chicopee residents looking for produce and one-stop shopping for the holiday season.
“It should be a nice one-stop shop for the busy holiday season,” said Breor.
Readers can learn more about Center Fresh Chicopee at https://www.facebook.com/centerfreshchicopee.