When Hillary Hawk moved to Hillsdale, NY from California 13 years ago, they found themself traveling to the Berkshires every time they wanted to connect with people or purchase high-quality, local food. Without the proper infrastructure, they found it difficult to form connections in their immediate community and to support the local food and farming network. After having lived in Hillsdale for several years, Hillary finally resolved to take on the job of building a hub for local food and community gathering themself. With the support and partnership of many, Random Harvest was born in Craryville in 2015.
Or, more accurately, it was reborn. A neighborhood market called Random Harvest had once served Craryville for over 30 years offering local produce and high-quality food. The owners grew vegetables in the backyard and sold them in the store. After shutting its doors and sitting empty for 10 years, Hillary knew that the prominent Route 23 storefront would be the perfect space for their endeavor.
Random Harvest, in its current iteration, isn’t like any old neighborhood market—it describes itself as a “year round farmers’ market.” The business works directly with over 100 local producers using a unique consignment model. Local farmers and food producers own their own products until they are sold, at which point Random Harvest takes a commission for handling marketing, care, and point of sale. Producers decide what they want to display, set their own prices, and maintain autonomy over their products.
The locally-sourced consignment concept is not the only thing that sets Random Harvest apart: the business also operates as a worker-owned cooperative. Although originally dissuaded from structuring the store as a co-op by experts who thought it was too complicated, Hillary couldn’t shake the fact that it just felt right for the business—and they have no regrets. On the business’ structure, Hillary affirms: “I really love the cooperative model because I feel like it provides everyone with the opportunity to bring their skills and their gifts. We each bring our own unique stuff to the table and we all do better when everyone has a voice.”
And, more than serving as a source of local food and goods for the area, Random Harvest also acts as an invaluable community gathering space. The pandemic paused this element of their work, but they’ve slowly been reviving it. Currently, they offer two weekly yoga classes, a weekly community fitness class, and even the occasional dance party. And soon, Hillary says, they hope to revive the free community dinner once offered regularly before the pandemic.
The cooperative also gives back to the community in other ways. When Covid hit, Random Harvest promptly implemented their vision for a Food Access Fund to respond to growing food insecurity in the area. The business collects donations from customers at the register and then distributes the funds in the form of $40 food coupons to food-insecure folks in the Craryville community. Random Harvest also uses the Food Access Fund to support Multicultural BRIDGE’s food distribution work here in the Berkshires, which serves over 100 families.
Whatever the greater Hillsdale community needs, there’s a good chance that Random Harvest is either providing it or advocating for it. Whether you’re looking for direct-to-market local food and goods, made-to-order breakfast or lunch, an accessible yoga class, or just a space to foster community, Random Harvest is here for you. And with such a community-focused business model, it’s no surprise that they also accept BerkShares!
Learn about upcoming events on Random Harvest’s website or Instagram!
