Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society hosts food drive

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – The Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society hosted a food drive Saturday.

This non-profit organization also manages the Three County Fair. Saturday many people dropped off non perishable foods like canned fruit, vegetables, pasta, and peanut butter. While food insecurity rates are high in western Massachusetts. Gerry Devine with the Three County Fair says it’s important to donate food to those in need.

Gerry Devine told 22News, “We started it back in the pandemic when we saw there was so much of a need for these kind of things and the fair wants to be more than just simply our fair, which is a great fair as well but we want to contribute to the community that does so much for us, so it is just one way for us to give back.”

These foods go to local food pantries all over the Pioneer Valley. This year’s recipients include the Providence Ministries Margaret’s Pantry in Holyoke, the Easthampton Community Center, and the Franklin County Community Meals Program in Greenfield.

Last year the organization was able to provide over 2,500 meals. This year Devine says that they hope to surpass that amount.

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