November 7, 2001

CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit , 617-626-1752
Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us Diane.Baedeker@state.ma.us

WHAT: Grand Opening of the new Western Mass. Food Processing Center, hosted by the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC). Developed by the FCCDC with grant funding totaling almost $800,000, the new food processing center dramatically increases the opportunities for local growers and food producers to start or grow their businesses. The fully equipped, state Board of Health certified kitchen facility will be rented to businesses and groups on an hourly basis. Classes and technical assistance will also be available. The new facility is the first commercial kitchen of this size in Massachusetts

WHEN: Thursday, November 15th, 4:00 p.m.
The Grand Opening will be followed by the FCCDC Annual Meeting Dinner featuring local foods prepared in the new commercial kitchen facility.

WHERE: The Venture Center, 324 Wells Street in Greenfield.

WHO: John Waite, FCCDC Executive Director; David Tuttle, State Director for the USDA Rural Development Office; and Jonathan L. Healy, Massachusetts Commissioner of Food and Agriculture will attend. U.S. Senator John Olver, State Senator Stanley Rosenberg, and state representatives Stephen Kulik, John Merrigan and Shaun Kelly have been invited.