Fresh Picked:
An Evening to Support The Food Trust

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Fresh Picked is The Food Trust’s annual spring celebration — bringing together friends, partners and supporters for an evening of great food, music and community.

At The Food Trust, we believe that everyone deserves access to affordable, nutritious food. Each year, Fresh Picked helps power that work — supporting farmers markets, healthy corner stores, nutrition education, affordability initiatives, and policy efforts that make healthy food more accessible in communities across the country.

Join us on May 14 for a night that celebrates what’s possible when we invest in good food and thriving communities.

Space is limited — reserve your spot today!

What: Fresh Picked 2026 – An Evening to Support The Food Trust
When: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 6:30-10 p.m.
Where: BLDG39 at the Arsenal, 5401 Tacony St. (BLDG 39), Philadelphia, PA 19137
This is an indoor/outdoor cocktail-style event with limited seating

What to Expect

Fresh Picked is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration. Here’s what’s in store for the evening:

🍓 A Taste of the Farmers Market
Explore a curated spread of small bites and sips inspired by The Food Trust’s farmers market vendors — from savory breads and spreads to seasonal sweets. It’s a chance to sample, discover and celebrate the flavors that bring our markets to life.

🎶 Live Music & Dancing
When the program wraps, the party begins. Philadelphia-based DJ Lady FX will keep the energy high with a set designed to get everyone on the dance floor — no matter your style.

✨ Silent Auction
Bid on a thoughtfully curated mix of experiences, local favorites, and one-of-a-kind packages — all while supporting The Food Trust’s mission.

Silent Auction Highlights

Get ready to bid on some incredible items, including:

Premium game-day experiences with the Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies
An unforgettable dinner for four at High Street
Hands-on cooking classes and culinary experiences
A luxury getaway
And more to be announced

Community Champion Awards

Each year at Fresh Picked, we honor partners who go above and beyond to support healthy food access and strengthen their communities. These champions are educators, farmers, advocates, and community leaders whose work brings The Food Trust’s mission to life every day.

Erica Lewis, The Caring Center

A leader in Farm to Early Care & Education, Erica Lewis brings food to life for her students through cooking, nutrition education, and gardening, always utilizing a hands-on-learning approach. Beyond the classroom, she is a passionate advocate for families across Philadelphia, lending her voice to efforts that strengthen access to healthy food.

Her approach is rooted in partnership—always showing up with a “yes, and” mindset to deepen and expand this work.

Hank Whittenberg, Hayday Farms

A familiar face across The Food Trust’s farmers markets, Hank Whittenberg is a dedicated partner in expanding access to fresh, affordable food. From supporting multiple markets to visiting classrooms, hosting pop-ups, and participating in advocacy efforts, he shows up wherever he’s needed.

Known for his flexibility, generosity, and deep commitment to community, Hank consistently goes the extra mile—even when it means putting community needs first.

We’d also like recognize this year’s nominees, whose work continues to make a difference in communities across the country:

Ryan Oberly, 16th & Haak Elementary School (Reading School District)
Loren Pola, Honey Brook Harvest
Jiana Murdic, Global Leadership Academy / Get Fresh Daily / Black Farmers Market
Khalil Morrison, Office of Reentry Partnerships, City of Philadelphia
Tito Caba, Historic Fairhill
Just Harvest, Pittsburgh-based anti-hunger organization
Alan Singer, Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF)
Dianne Shenk, Dylamato’s Market
Robin Abreu, Riverfront Supermarket (Camden, NJ)
Greater Easton Development Partnership
Barbara Brown, Free Library of Philadelphia (Lucien E. Blackwell Branch)
Harry Reichlin, Spectrum Health

Meet Our 2026 Visionary Award Honorees

Congressman Dwight Evans

For more than two decades, Congressman Evans has championed the health and well-being of communities across Philadelphia and the nation. From helping launch the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative to his steadfast support of SNAP and SNAP-Ed, his leadership has shaped the field of food access and strengthened our mission in powerful ways.

Evans’ commitment to equitable access to nutritious food continues to inspire our work every day.

Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad

Dr. Ahmad’s leadership has had a profound impact on nutrition security across Philadelphia. This year, she helped secure a first-time $500,000 investment in Food Bucks — a transformative commitment that strengthens families’ ability to bring home healthy food with dignity and choice.

Her advocacy is helping shape a future where good health is the floor, not the ceiling, for every Philadelphian. We are proud to recognize her vision and partnership at Fresh Picked.

Join Us!

Every ticket to Fresh Picked supports The Food Trust’s work to ensure everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of food, music and community.

Seats are limited!

Thank you to our sponsors!

CULTIVATOR

GARDEN

SPROUT

The Fresh Grocer

Duane Morris

CFGI

NVG

Local Enterprise Assistance Fund

OneDigital

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in joining Fresh Picked as a sponsor? Click here for more information, or contact Jessica Borger (jborger@thefoodtrust.org or 215-575-0444, ext 127).

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Fresh Picked: An Evening to Support The Food Trust