PHOTOS: Franklin County CDC celebrates entrepreneurs with block party

GREENFIELD — About 150 people gathered for the Franklin County Community Development Corporation’s “Celebrating Entrepreneurs” block party last week, providing an opportunity to get to know local business owners.

Two speakers — Revan Schendler of the Compost Cooperative and Michael Ayittey of Benny’s Organic Market, both of whom are Franklin County CDC clients — addressed attendees, speaking about the importance of businesses that work for good and preserve the environment.

The Compost Cooperative is a service that picks up compost from residential, institutional and commercial clients, diverting material from landfills. Schendler mentioned that some of the employees of the worker-owned cooperative were previously incarcerated, and that the entity is working to supply affordable housing options for employees.

Ayittey works with farmers to create food products using imperfect vegetables that are not accepted by grocery stores, but are still nutritious, thus minimizing food waste. Benny’s Organic Market at 205 Main St. in Greenfield sells those and a variety of other food products, which are available online as well.

Visitors got to tour the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center; dance to music by DJ Lazer Chicken; and eat pizza from Za’s Hot Slices, shwarma from Mohawk Shwarma Grill and ice cream from Bart’s Ice Cream. Beverages from Artisan Beverage Cooperative and Four Phantoms Brewing Co. were also available. Venture Center tenants Massive Bookshop, the Franklin County Community Meals Program and Silver Screen Designs staffed informational tables at the event, as did Mpress Nembhard, organizer of Greenfield’s upcoming Juneteenth event.

“It was exciting to meet new members of our community,” Franklin County CDC Executive Director John Waite said in a statement. “The vibe of the event was very welcoming and people seemed to have a good time. We are always working to make sure folks know that if they want to start or grow their business, they can come to us.”

]]>