‘A Critical Training Ground’: North Adams Farmers Market Vendors Grow Into Downtown Staples

Originally published by The Berkshire Eagle, May 19, 2026. By Gillian Heck.

NORTH ADAMS — Red Shirt Farm is one of four North Adams Farmers Market vendors who have grown their businesses into downtown storefronts over the past year, alongside Door Prize Restaurant, Steeple City Social, and Hexagon Bagels. Owners said the market, which draws customers every Saturday through October, let them test ideas, find customers, and learn food service with lower risk.

Red Shirt Farm has been selling its local vegetables at the market for years, which the farm credits with helping build a loyal customer base. The farm’s newsletter now has 1,500 subscribers.

Selling at local markets helped Red Shirt founder Jim Schultz grow the farm’s community-supported agriculture program, providing reliable early-season revenue for the farm. On good days, the farm was grossing $3,000 at the market.

“Over time, it became clear there was enough trust and demand to serve the same community more consistently, in a place we could keep the lights on year-round,” he said.

The farm has since expanded significantly, growing 40 crops, with CSA memberships now making up about a quarter of its income.

When they were still at the market, Jim Schultz said SNAP and the state’s Healthy Incentives Program customers were about 30 percent of their customer base. He said the farm is working to attract more SNAP and HIP customers to Lanesborough.

At Red Shirt, Schultz’s farm store is expanding offerings with its commercial kitchen and hosting food events and workshops.