On May 14, 2026, more than 150 friends of The Food Trust gathered at BLDG39 for our fourth annual Fresh Picked fundraiser. The event was a testament to the power of community, as we raised more than $100,000 in critical funds to support our work in Philadelphia and across the country. We are incredibly grateful to our amazing guests, sponsors, and partners who came together in support of our work to ensure delicious, nutritious food for all, especially our Cultivator Sponsor: Truist.
This year’s event theme was “In Food We Trust,” highlighting the power of food to bring people together, strengthen communities and improve health. Our emcee for the evening’s festivities was Food Trust Board Member Susan Buehler, who also serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for the Clean Energy Buyers Association.
A particular highlight of this year’s program was the presentation of our inaugural Community Champion Awards, honoring community partners who go above and beyond to improve nutrition security in their neighborhoods. Our first awardee was Erica Lewis of The Caring Center; a leader in Farm to Early Care & Education, Erica 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. Next up was Hank Whittenberg of Hayday Farms; a familiar face across The Food Trust’s farmers markets, Hank has been 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.
It wouldn’t be a Food Trust party without incredible food! Our catering partners Ule and Feast Your Eyes Catering provided a cornucopia of delicious bites, featuring fresh vegetables, local cheese, breads, spreads produced by Food Trust Farmers Market vendors Aaji’s, Birchrun Hill Farms, Hayday Farms, and Ursa Bakery. Also featured were fresh pasta dishes from Midnight Pasta. The bar was stocked with cocktails and mocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, as well as a selection of local wine and brews from Hilltop Haven Win Winery and Brewery Techne.
Luckily, folks saved room for dessert, because our Taste of the Farmers Market dessert spread — featuring sweet treats from even more of our farmers market vendors — was not to be missed. Darnel’s Cakes, Popcorn for the People, Shevy’s Babka Paradise, The Tartery, and Underbites Bites served up a selection of their signature confections.
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 Lady FX 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! Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates about future events, including Fresh Picked 2027!
