Today, The Food Trust, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and Aetna were joined by Mayor Jim Kenney as the organizations announced the launch of what will be Philadelphia’s largest open-air market series on the waterfront: The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier, presented by Aetna.

This is not your average farmers market. Kicking off July 13 and running through November 16, 2019, The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier will boast fresh, affordable food from area culinary entrepreneurs, alongside some of Philadelphia’s best creative sellers, independent retailers and visual and performing artists. Every Saturday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., neighbors from across the region – from Camden to Northeast Philadelphia – are invited to make their way to Cherry Street Pier to grab fresh produce, purchase a gift from vendors, enjoy work from local artists and take in views of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

“The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier was born out of our desire to create an event that will connect neighborhoods through the communal experience of food, and a love for all things local,” said Yael Lehmann, President and CEO of The Food Trust. “Around the world – from Camden Market in London to Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco – the shared experience of sampling and purchasing affordable, locally made food, exploring crafts from homegrown creative sellers, and enjoying area performing artists is a universally binding thing. It brings communities together, and it increases access to the things that make our environment healthy and vibrant.”

“As we head into the first summer season for our newest destination, Cherry Street Pier, we are especially excited to partner with The Food Trust on what we know will be an incredible farmers market experience. Saturdays at Cherry Street Pier will be a highlight along the waterfront. Where else can you shop for produce and art while enjoying free entertainment, getting a bite to eat from fantastic local food vendors, having a drink in an open-air garden right on the water, and taking in spectacular views of the Ben Franklin Bridge? We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to share in this community-driven activity every week,” said Joe Forkin, President of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Since 1992, The Food Trust has worked to ensure that all Philadelphians have access to affordable, nutritious food, the information to make healthy decisions and a community that supports them. The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier is another way to advance this mission as it will connect communities with an opportunity to make healthy and affordable decisions, which will ultimately build a healthier and more connected city.

“Aetna is proud to call The Food Trust a longtime collaborator in our work to help communities make healthier decisions. Through initiatives like HYPE, wherein Philadelphia student-led wellness councils develop and carry out action plans to increase healthy food access in their schools and nearby corner stores, we have worked alongside The Food Trust to empower Philadelphians to take more control of their health and the factors that influence it,” said Remy Richman, Chief Growth Officer of Aetna’s Keystone Market. “Where you live and how you live determine how well you live – and, often, how long you live. That’s why Aetna is excited to help bring this major market to the waterfront that will help to improve the physical and economic health of our communities.”

“We are thrilled to partner with DRWC and Aetna on The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier,” said Douglas Durst, Chairman of The Durst Organization. “This market combines two of our family’s passions: sustainable agricultural and bringing people and development to the waterfront. We look forward to the success of the market and to the continued revitalization of the Delaware River Waterfront.”

“The revitalization of Cherry Street Pier brings Philadelphians and visitors of every background to the waterfront to experience art, festivals, food, and more,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Now, they can also enjoy access to fresh food and produce thanks to The Food Trust. This new market is a game changer for the health and wellness of all residents.”

The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier lineup is comprised of all Philadelphia-made products and sellers, and will include:

Birchrunhill Farms

Ca Phe Roasters

The Chilly Banana

Dump N Roll

Frecon Farm

Funkaesthetik

Hickory Grove Gardens

La Chocolatera

Little Noodle

Philly Tacos

The Potato Homestead

Pound Cake Heaven

Slurp

Sharrah Orchards

The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier is made possible by The Food Trust, The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, presenting sponsor Aetna, and The Durst Organization. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/CherryStreetMkt and follow @thefoodtrust on Twitter. And remember, on Saturdays, all roads lead to Cherry Street!

The Food Trust, a nonprofit founded in 1992, strives to make healthy food available to all. Working with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers and policymakers, The Food Trust has developed a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food. To learn more about The Food Trust, visit thefoodtrust.org.

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a 501(c)(3) created in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop, program and maintain public amenities such as permanent and seasonal parks, trails, and streetscape improvements to transform the waterfront into a vibrant destination for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia as is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan for Central Delaware. Daily programming throughout the entire year is changing the way Philadelphians see and converse about the waterfront and is helping to create spaces and communities that connect residents and visitors to the Waterfront. For more information, visit delawareriverwaterfront.com

Aetna, a CVS Health business, serves an estimated 39 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, visit www.aetna.com and explore how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

The Durst Organization, founded in 1915 by Joseph Durst, is the owner, manager and builder of 13 million square feet of premiere Manhattan office towers and 2,500 residential rental units with 3,500 in development. The Durst Organization is recognized as a world leader in the development of high performance and environmentally advanced commercial and residential buildings. www.durst.org