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Suffield Food Pantry Receives Fresh-Grown Produce From Prison Garden Program

The 15-week-old Crossroads Food Pantry relies on grants and donations to help serve the hungry.

A newly-opened food pantry in West Suffield got a boost Thursday with a large donation of fresh vegetables from several area correctional facilities.

The Crossroads Food Pantry, based at the , received nearly 300 pounds of cabbage, potatoes, basil, butternut squash, peppers and tomatoes.

Dominic Faretra, church deacon and director of the food pantry, said the facility is self-supporting through grants and donations from area businesses and organizations.

"We're a night food pantry, the only one in the area that's open at night because people have a hard time getting to pantries during the day," Faretra said. "It's wonderful that we could work with the prison program."

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Faretra said the pantry has reached an agreement with FoodShare. "We will soon have a FoodShare truck here Tuesdays in the early afternoon," he said.

Crossroads, which began operation May 3, is open Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.

"It's a little different that we don't have any requirements to come here, whereas the other towns do," Faretra said.

For more information about the food pantry or to make a donation, call 860-668-2271.

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Maria Giannuzzi May 15, 2013 at 07:40 am
The problem is resurfacing all the roads in Suffield would cost a great deal of money. Suffield is aRead More big town. I do understand that some roads in Suffield do not have enough adjacent suitable land to create a separate bike lane, but I believe bike lanes could be constructed along sections of some scenic roads. Half a loaf is better than none at all. Salvatore, if you have not already been there, you may want to consider cycling on the island of Nantucket. I have not been there in years, but outside of its main town, Nantucket did offer good riding conditions and peaceful surroundings--at least when I visited.
salvatore iervolino May 14, 2013 at 09:13 pm
Thank you for your comment. Actually, I was simply suggesting that roads are resurfaced. There isn'tRead More probably enough room for bike lanes on most of these backroads, but if at least the pavement was brought to an acceptable condition, that would make biking much more pleasant (I should say "possible") and, let's not forget, much safer. Some particularly damaged areas represent a serious danger to bikers' safety.
Maria Giannuzzi May 14, 2013 at 08:10 am
There may be a solution--a compromise of sorts. Put a narrow, but well-maintained bike lane on largeRead More sections of each scenic road in town, the roads with fewer cars and trucks. Just having the bike lanes may be draw for out-of-town cyclists to visit Suffield and spend money at local businesses. Instead of attempting to change Suffield into a metropolitan area, with all the problems that brings, celebrate (and financially support) its original identity--a scenic, peaceful agricultural town with some nice amenities.