by Erica T. and Sarah M. of the Community Engagement team at The Food Trust
On a beautiful Saturday morning at the Clark Park Farmers Market in the fall of 2025, The Food Trust team came together to celebrate elders in our community with a special Day of Appreciation. More than 200 older adults from across Philadelphia joined us for the event, filling the park with laughter, conversation, and the vibrant colors of peak-season produce.
Thanks to the generous support of The Claneil Foundation, event organizers helped seniors stretch their food budgets by offering matching funds for existing produce subsidies—ensuring that fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables were even more accessible. Foundation funds also made it possible to provide bus transportation for local senior centers, helping neighbors overcome mobility barriers to attend the celebration.
Throughout the day, Food Trust staff and volunteers spent time with guests, helping them navigate the market, connect with local farmers, and shop for fresh ingredients. Attendees also enjoyed lively cooking demonstrations led by our nutrition education team, who showcased easy, affordable recipes featuring seasonal produce. Seniors sampled a simple corn salad dish, inspiring new ways to bring more fruits and vegetables to the table at home.
Among the many familiar faces at Clark Park was Mickey, a regular at our farmers markets who was born and raised in West Philadelphia. Mickey attends Food Trust markets across the city, from Headhouse to Clark Park, drawn by the sense of community and the opportunity to connect with others while prioritizing his health.
“The markets are about more than just shopping for food,” Mickey shared. “They’re about connection, joy, and taking care of ourselves and each other. Every time I visit, I see old friends and meet new ones—it keeps me healthy in more ways than just the physical. Keeps me young!”
Another senior shared, “My friends at the senior center encouraged me to come on the bus trip to Clark Park. I used to stop by the farmers market once a month, but during COVID I lost my leg and I was a little apprehensive to go. Honestly, I wasn’t leaving my house as much as I should have. The morning of the trip, I was still worried. It was so wonderful that someone from your staff spent the whole day with me; they brought me to the park in their car, shopped with me, and brought me home. I didn’t realize people would treat me so kind. Sometimes you get preoccupied with the way that people are going to treat you. That was so encouraging for me. And with the extra vouchers, I bought everything I needed for two weeks. The produce at the market lasts longer. I still have an apple that I’m going to eat tonight. I haven’t gone shopping for myself in a long time; normally I pay for one of those online services. It was so nice to pick out what I wanted.”
This celebration is part of The Food Trust’s ongoing commitment to supporting seniors’ access to nutritious food across Philadelphia. Over the past year, through partnerships with senior centers citywide, our programs have reached hundreds of older adults. We know that seniors face some of the highest rates of food and nutrition insecurity—often due to limited income, mobility challenges, and health concerns—and our team is dedicated to helping close those gaps through connection, education, and fresh food access.
Events like the Clark Park Senior Day remind us that food brings people together, strengthens community bonds, and nourishes both body and spirit. We’re grateful to everyone—our partners, funders, volunteers, and elders—who make this work possible.