Introductory Comments for The Food Trust

Introduced by Mike Groman (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society)

The next recipient of this year’s Greater Philadelphia Sustainability Award is a longtime leader in urban agriculture—an organization that recognizes how healthy food nourishes not only people, but communities as well.  

From its modest beginnings, this organization has quickly expanded to become a leader in its field. Though its capacity has grown, the organization has never lost sight of its mission to increase access to affordable food, improve health through better nutrition, and protect the environment by supporting local farms.  

This organization shares its message of “healthy living through a healthy diet” with more than 50,000 students each year. Not only do the children learn the benefits of broccoli and the merits of melons, but they are also taught the concept of sustainability and are made aware of the impact of their food choices. These lessons come to life as youngsters sample fresh, nutritious snacks and take fieldtrips to local farms. Even the youngest children learn about food, farms, and nutrition through the innovative Kindergarten Initiative. 

Particularly noteworthy is the School Market Program, a hands-on learning curriculum through which students create, own, and operate fruit and vegetable markets in their schools. This program helps students improve their diets and educate themselves about the role of nutrition while developing entrepreneurial skills.  

Outside of schools, this organization has established farmers’ markets in communities throughout the region. Its staff provides nutrition information, shopping tips, and recipes, helping shoppers make informed, healthful decisions for their families. Beyond nutrition, the farmers’ markets provide residents with opportunities to get outdoors, interact with neighbors, and make new friends.   

In recent years, this organization has also become involved in supermarket development. By creating incentives for supermarket development in existing commercial corridors, it is working to turn the tide of suburban sprawl and improve access to fresh food in underserved communities. 

These are just a handful of this organization’s outstanding accomplishments. It gives me great pride to present the Philadelphia Sustainability Award to The Food Trust.