As we reflect on our second annual Fresh Picked, held May 16, 2024, at the amazing BLDG39 event space, we are filled with gratitude: From our incredibly supportive guests to our all-star roster of sponsors and event partners, the room was filled with people and organizations coming together to celebrate the power of delicious, nutritious food. Together, we raised critical funds to lift up communities in Philadelphia and across the country. (Check out our Fresh Picked webpage for a full listing of our sponsors, in-kind partners and event partners!)

This year, we chose to spotlight “Healthy Families, Healthy Futures” by lifting up the myriad Food Trust programs and initiatives that help children access, afford and learn about the nourishing foods that are crucial for a thriving future. One of our favorite activities of the evening, “Are You Smarter Than a First-Grader,” challenged guests to a blindfolded produce guessing game — it was surprising to learn which fruits and vegetables are easiest (and hardest) to identify using limited senses!

We were honored to host a special guest, Dr. Jamie Green, who serves as Eastern Regional Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. An eighth-generation grower, Dr. Green advocates for land access, controlled environment agriculture, emerging technologies and energy as key ingredients for local communities to produce what they need to sustain quality of life. Thank you so much to Dr. Green for joining us to share powerful words about the importance of food sovereignty to communities in Pennsylvania and nationwide!

We also honored the impact of the late Richard Jaffe Esq., who, with his firm Duane Morris, has provided The Food Trust with incredibly meaningful pro bono legal services for over three years and counting. Richard’s legacy of leadership and steadfast stewardship of our mission will always be remembered by our staff, and we were so happy to have his family join us at Fresh Picked to share memories of his lasting impact.

Front and center for the evening was a beautiful, carefully curated garden table brought to life by our catering partner Olive & Shea, flanked by Natalia from Midnight Pasta, making fresh pasta onsite and talking guests through the process. The night also featured local food truck Jerry’s Homemade, along with Frost 321‘s ice cream and sorbet frozen at the perfect temperature using liquid nitrogen. The bar was stocked with local options from our generous beverage partners, Penn Beer, Cellar Beast Winery and Top Dog Cocktails.

The evening also offered a Time Capsule Entertainment photo booth, curated silent auction, live auction of Food Trust services, and live music from local band Chuck Darwin and the Knuckle-Draggers, fronted by Ben Wenk of Headhouse Farmers Market favorite Three Springs Fruit Farm!

Thank you again to everyone who gathered with us to celebrate the work of The Food Trust! Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates about future events.

Why are we moving?

• Major construction for a large mixed-use building is underway at the corner of 43rd & Baltimore, creating significant physical barriers and safety issues
• The farmers market currently blocks the 43rd Street Health Center’s parking lot, which can no longer be blocked and must be accessible at all times
• Vendors and customers need adequate space and safe passage free of construction vehicles, equipment and debris

Where will Clark Park Farmers Market be located?

Using The Food Trust’s existing City of Philadelphia ordinance, the market layout will begin midway down 43rd Street and continue in the street toward Chester Avenue; then it will turn at Chester Avenue, continuing west on the sidewalk along the edge of the park. (Scroll down to view a map of the new layout.)

While the farmers market is in operation, all other vendors will be asked to refrain from setting up within the new footprint (including the north side of Chester Avenue).

When is this happening?

In true Food Trust fashion, food was front and center. Attendees enjoyed fare from some of the city’s favorite food trucks and vendors, including Mom-Mom’s Kitchen, Chewy’s Food Truck, Amira’s Delites and Sweet T’s Bakery. Throughout the evening, Olive and Shea Catering served up tasty bites that showcased fresh and local ingredients, from yakitori chicken skewers to a sweet pea, carrot and celery root parfait. And the star of the show was an incredible farmers market table, featuring a variety of fresh vegetables, pickles, breads and spreads — the perfect embodiment of food that’s both delicious and nutritious.

The bar was stocked with local options from Penn Beer, Deerfoot Winery and Top Dog Cocktails, who generously provided the beverages for the evening. There was a drink for every taste, from IPA to chardonnay to whiskey lemonade.

But Fresh Picked wasn’t all about eating and drinking — activities throughout the evening helped celebrate the 30+ year evolution of The Food Trust from a small South Philly farm stand to a national organization. Attendees could check out a timeline display showcasing milestones from throughout our history; enjoy a rotating selection of vintage Food Trust photographs on the big screen; and participate in a curated silent auction with special items donated by some wonderful Food Trust friends — from an empanada class at Mission Taqueria, to a baking lesson with High Street on Market’s head pastry chef.

Two musical guests provided the perfect soundtrack for the evening: Duo Quiana & Caselli greeted attendees with their acoustic tunes, and later on, Chuck Darwin and the Knuckle-Draggers turned up the volume with their boot-stomping songs. Fun fact: Chuck Darwin and the Knuckle-Draggers is fronted by Ben Wenk of Three Springs Fruit Farm, a Headhouse Farmers Market favorite!

During a special program, Food Trust President & CEO Mark Edwards honored those who have brought The Food Trust to where it is today, while also looking toward the future of the organization. Honorees included Duane Perry, who founded The Food Trust (then called the Reading Terminal Farmers Market Trust) in 1992; Gail Furman, The Food Trust’s longest-standing volunteer; and Board members Barbara Gold, Cindy Ayers and Debbie Cohen, whose collective 50+ years of service has shepherded the organization through its growth and evolution. Mark also thanked Harvest Sponsor Truist, as well as Cultivator Sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas and CSX, whose support of Fresh Picked was instrumental in its success.

Thank you again to everyone who gathered with us to honor our past and toast to our future! Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates about future events.

Our sponsors:

Reading Terminal Market Corporation | Comcast NBCUniversal | Duane Morris LLP
PA Preferred | Precision Benefits Group | Parx Casino
Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations
Total HR Solutions | Your Part-Time Controller, LLC

Beverage sponsors:
Deerfoot Vineyards & Winery | Penn Beer | Top Dog Cocktails

In-kind support provided by:
4imprint | BLDG39 | Cannon Graphics Inc. | Northfound Design

Event partners:
Amira’s Delites | Chewy’s | Dave Tavani Photography | Harsati Valet & Driving Services
Longview Flowers | Mom-Mom’s Kitchen | Nilaa Coffee | Olive & Shea Catering
South Jersey Party Rental | Sweet T’s Bakery | Time Capsule Entertainment

Live music by:
Chuck Darwin & the Knuckle-Draggers | Qiana & Caselli