FOOD & DRINK: The Food Trust

The Fresh Makers

by Adam Erace

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Published: Oct 20, 2010

Neal Santos TRUST EXERCISE: Yael Lehman (front center) with the Food Trust team, photographed Oct. 11 at the 1501 N. Broad St. Fresh Grocer the organization helped open.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, the night of the Food Trust's inaugural Night Market, Yael Lehmann called her husband from her home on 10th and Carpenter. "I asked him if people were there yet. He said, 'I can't talk about it. Come down here immediately.'"

When Lehmann, executive director of the Food Trust since 2006 (she's been with the nonprofit since 2001), arrived at the Bermuda Triangle of East Passyunk, 11th and Tasker, there were people, all right. Four thousand of them, and easily as many adorable dogs.

The Asian market-inspired series, which will resume in the spring in different neighborhoods, is one highly visible reason we love the Food Trust. Another is the city-living-at-its-finest Headhouse Square farmers market. But their less visible projects are why this 80-strong team deserves our Big Vision Award.

In 2010, they launched four new farmers markets in low-income areas, with six more rolling out next year. The Food Trust also partnered with the Philadelphia Health Department and began putting $15 million of stimulus money into programs like Philly Food Bucks, which gives food stamp recipients a $2 fresh-fruit-and-vegetable coupon for every $5 spent at a farmers market (resulting in a 70 percent increase in food stamp sales at markets) and leveraged state funds to bump WIC recipients' farmers market vouchers from $20 to $80. "We're also creating wellness councils at a hundred local schools," says Lehmann, "and working to improve food choices at 1,000 corner stores over the next three years."

"I was in Texas recently, where someone said, 'You shouldn't have to use a gallon of gas to get a gallon of milk.' That's where we're coming from. We believe that everybody deserves to have access to delicious, fresh, healthy food." Many Philadelphians still do not. The Food Trust has their backs.

Food and Drink Honorable Mentions

Han Chiang
The Han Dynasty restaurateur, who opened his first city outpost this year, lures the spicerati with his liberal use of chilies and Sichuan peppercorn.

Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran
The power-couple whose spots include Lolita, Grocery, Verde and now Barbuzzo are leading the 13th Street revival.

Jose Garces
With Garces Trading Co., the brand-new JG Domestic and even a taco truck (Guapos Tacos) added to his résumé in 2010, the Iron Chef's shown no shortage of energy or ideas.

Art in the Age
The taste-making label's spirits, ROOT and SNAP, balance a unique aesthetic — throwback Americana and über-trendy.

City Paper Choice 2010
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS: Seth Williams
LITERATURE & JOURNALISM: Barbara Laker & Wendy Ruderman
MUSIC: Girls Rock Philly
PERFORMING ARTS: Beth Nixon & Pig Iron Theater Co.
SPORTS & RECREATION: Charlie Manuel
SUSTAINABILITY & DESIGN: Rina Cutler
VISUAL ARTS: Philagrafika
ACTIVISM/WATCHDOGS: South Philadelphia High Asian Student Advocates
FILM & SCREEN: Don Argott