The Food Trust facts for kids

The Food Trust is a special group based in Philadelphia. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it works to help people, not to make money. Their main goal is to make kids and adults healthier by helping them get good food. They work with different groups like neighborhoods, schools, and farmers. They also help people find healthy food that doesn't cost too much.

The Food Trust runs many farmers' markets in the Philadelphia area. At these markets, people can use special cards and vouchers to buy fresh food. Money for The Food Trust comes from different places, like charities, government help, and people who donate.

How It Started

The Food Trust began in 1992. Back then, it was called The Farmers' Market Trust. Duane Perry started the organization.

It first started teaching kids about healthy eating. These classes were for children in the city and took place at Reading Terminal Market. This is a famous farmer's market in Philadelphia.

First Farmers' Market

The group then opened its very first farmer's market. This market was at Tasker Homes in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of Philadelphia. It was a public housing area.

Once a week, a small team from The Food Trust set up a table of fresh food. They got help from the Tasker Homes Tenant Council. Duane Perry remembered that people in the neighborhood had not seen such good quality produce before.

For over 20 years, The Food Trust has grown. They work with communities, schools, and farmers. They help people in Philadelphia and across the country understand healthy food. They also make it easier to find.

Working Together

The Food Trust works with many partners to help more people. One important partner is the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI). This is a special program that helps bring fresh food stores to communities.

Helping Communities Get Fresh Food

Since 2004, the FFFI has helped fund 83 supermarket projects. These projects are all over Pennsylvania. This partnership is worth $85 million and is managed by The Reinvestment Fund.

It has helped open or improve 88 fresh food stores. These stores are in 34 counties in Pennsylvania. This work has also created or saved over 5,023 jobs.

In 2013, The Food Trust and its partners launched the Healthy Food Access Portal. This website shares information and tools. It helps people who want to improve access to healthy food. It also helps new businesses that focus on healthy food.

The website uses facts and resources. It helps communities plan and carry out projects. These projects make it easier for people to get healthy food. This is especially true for communities with lower incomes.

The Food Trust also holds events with other groups. These include the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and Philabundance.

Farmers' Markets

The Food Trust runs many farmers' markets. Here are some of their locations:

• 10th & Germantown – 10th Street at Germantown Avenue
• Schuylkill River Park – 25th Street at Spruce Street
• Frankford Transportation Center – Bustleton Avenue at Frankford Avenue
• Kingsessing – 58th Street at Chester Street
• Haddington Friday – 52nd Street at Haverford Avenue
• Strawberry Mansion – North 33rd Street at Diamond Street
• Palmer Park – Frankford Avenue at East Palmer Street
• Norris Square – West Susquehanna Avenue at Howard Street
• Schuylkill River Park – 25th Street at Spruce Street
• Point Breeze – 22nd Street at Tasker Street
• Oxford Circle – Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, 900 East Howell Street
• Broad & Ritner – Broad Street at Ritner Street
• Grays Ferry – 29th Street at Wharton Street
• Fairmount – 22nd Street at Fairmount Avenue
• Broad & South – Broad Street at South Street
• Cecil B. Moore – Cecil B. Moore Avenue at Broad Street
• Overbrook Farms – Overbrook Presbyterian Church, Lancaster Avenue at City Avenue
• Germantown – Germantown Avenue at Walnut Lane
• Clark Park Thursday – 43rd Street at Baltimore Avenue
• Hunting Park – West Hunting Park Avenue at Old York Road
• Haddington Wednesday – 52nd Street at Haverford Avenue
• Olney Transportation Center – Broad Street at Olney Street
• West Oak Lane – Ogontz Avenue at 72nd Avenue
• Cliveden Park – Chew Avenue at Johnson Street
• Headhouse – 2nd Street at Lombard Street