Submitted by Nina Keller
Josh Young says he doesn’t know how he would live without his beard, but he is happy to shave it off now that he lost a bet. He asked his loyal shoppers at his New Lebanon Farmers Market & Grocery to step up to the plate to aid those whose food benefits ran out, promising that if they raised $10,000 he would shave off his beard.
The market runs a companion food aid program that extends the benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). That program, called Market Match, started the year with a grant of $17,500 from Berkshire Ag Ventures, whose Market Match Fund awarded more than $100,000 to a number of other Berkshire-area farmers markets that offered similar programs in 2022.
When the money ran out in New Lebanon, Young turned to his loyal customers to help those in need buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and other essentials.
“A helping hand can help transform people’s lives,” said Market Match donor Carol Reichert. “It’s a great program that uses money carefully, and what better way to symbolize transformation than to watch Josh lop off his 10-year-old beard!”
The program doubles SNAP benefits with a daily cap of $30. In a town where the census estimates that 56 of its 302 children live in poverty, that’s a big boost.
“Market Match has been a real boon to me and to others in our community,” said Sarah Westwind. “It has enabled us to buy produce grown by local farmers, while keeping within our budgets. Many thanks to you who contribute to this excellent cause.”
Young will cross state lines to face his shaving fate at Castoldi’s Barber Shop at 764 Tyler St. in Pittsfield, MA, where Alec Foisy has agreed to do the shave. The appointment is scheduled for 1 pm on Monday, February 6.
The New Lebanon Farmers Market & Grocery is located at 528 Route 20.