By: Liz Weihmann
On May 15, 2025, more than 200 friends of The Food Trust gathered at BLDG39 for our third annual Fresh Picked fundraiser. The event was a testament to the power of community, as we raised more than $110,000 in critical funds to support our work in Philadelphia and across the country. We are incredibly grateful who came together in support of our work to ensure delicious, nutritious food for all: our amazing guests, our all-star sponsors, and the partners who, behind the scenes, made the evening possible.
This year’s event theme, “The Power of Produce,” focused on our programs and partnerships that improve nutrition security for our most vulnerable neighbors. We were delighted to welcome Nebeyou Abebe, SVP of Social Determinants of Health at Highmark Health as our keynote speaker. In his remarks to attendees, Mr. Abebe described how both Highmark and The Food Trust are harnessing the power of fresh, healthy food to transform lives, strengthen communities, and build a more just society.
We also launched our inaugural Community Champion Awards, honoring community partners who go above and beyond to improve nutrition security in their neighborhoods. Our first awardee, Keila Canete, MPH, founder and President of Mi Salud Wellness Center, has worked with The Food Trust to launch a number of wellness initiatives, including bilingual nutrition education for pregnant and postpartum individuals. We also honored Tyra Elam, Activities Director at Firehouse Active Adult Center, who worked with The Food Trust to organize three successful pop-up farmers markets. Interested in learning more? Check out these blog posts on our work with Mi Salud and Firehouse.
It wouldn’t be a Food Trust party without incredible food! Our catering partner Olive & Shae created a stunning “garden table” of delicious, nutritious bites, featuring fresh vegetables, pickles, local cheese, breads, spreads and more! Camden’s La Ingrata dished up a selection of tacos, and South Philly’s Agricola fired off hand-tossed pizzas (including a special Food Trust pie that celebrated the ingredients of spring). The bar was stocked with local libations: cocktails from Top Dog Cocktails, wine from Cellar Beast Winehouse, a selection of brews from Penn Beer, and a specialty cocktail courtesy of our President & CEO, Mark Edwards.
Luckily, folks saved room for dessert, because our Taste of the Farmers Market dessert spread — featuring sweet treats from our farmers market vendors — was not to be missed. Aurora Grace, Hayday Farms, Lost Bread Co. and Madcrumbs served up a selection of their signature confections. By the end of the night, there wasn’t a single macaron, bonbon, or piece of shortbread left!
The night’s soundtrack started with acoustic duo Qiana and Caselli, who greeted attendees with their original tunes and covers. Later in the evening, DJ Touchtone turned up the volume with dance-worthy beats. The evening also offered a Time Capsule Entertainment photo booth, curated silent auction, and live auction in support of Food Trust programming.
Thank you again to everyone who celebrated and supported the evening, including our Cultivator sponsors Truist and CSX. Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates about future events, including Fresh Picked 2026!
