We are thrilled to share that this year’s Friends of the Farm benefit dinner raised an incredible $250,000 to advance our mission of transforming food systems and building healthier communities.
This year was especially meaningful as we hosted Friends of the Farm for the very first time on the 4Roots Farm Campus in partnership with Outstanding in the Field, whose signature “restaurants without walls” created an unforgettable dining experience under the stars. Guests gathered to celebrate the hardworking hands that feed us and to support a healthier, more sustainable food future for Central Florida.
The evening featured a spectacular multi-course farm-to-table feast prepared by an incredible lineup of chefs — Nikk Burton, Mike Collantes, Hari Pulapaka, Norman Van Aken, Derek Perez, and 4Rivers Central Bakery’s Jenny Deutsch — using the freshest seasonal ingredients. Guests also enjoyed live music from Nashville’s 3-Peace Band (D. Vincent Williams, Emily Henline, and Dillon Dixon), interactive farm tours, and an exciting live and silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences such as a Captiva Island getaway, a private test kitchen dinner with Chef John Rivers, and a Culinary Health Institute cooking and wellness experience.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Friends of the Farm Awards:
Farmer of the Year was awarded to R.C. Hatton, Inc. for their decades of innovation in crop production, generous donations of fresh corn to our Meet the Need program, participation in the Reverse Demand Model, and support of employment opportunities through the Sunshine Spectrum Society for individuals with autism.
Friend of the Year was presented to Dr. Phillips Charities for their extraordinary partnership — from donating the land for the 4Roots Farm Campus and providing over $11 million in grants for Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction to supporting the launch of the Packing District Farmers Market.
During the Fund the Need moment, guests raised more than $50,000 to provide immersive food education programs for the 4,027 children living in food deserts within two miles of the 4Roots Farm Campus. These programs teach soil health, hydroponics, aquaponics, plant science, pollination, renewable energy, and culinary arts through hands-on experiences at the farm and with the Culinary Health Institute.
This unforgettable evening would not have been possible without the generosity of our presenting sponsor, Dr. Phillips Charities, and our event element sponsors, AdventHealth (Outdoor Kitchen) and Light Orlando (Photo Op). We are deeply grateful to our Silver Sponsor, Disney, and Bronze Sponsors Brasfield & Gorrie, DeAngelis Diamond Construction, University of Central Florida, Enterprise Fleet Management, and Winter Park Health Foundation. Additional support came from DPR Construction, DUDA Company, Florida Blue, Florida Citrus Sports, Hello! Florida Destination Management, Lowndes Law, Massey Services, Orlando Health, Posies Flower Truck of Winter Park, Denise & Stuart Saiki, and VHB.
We also thank our generous in-kind donors, including Orlando Ballet, Todd & Ashley Woodard, United Parks & Resorts, Westgate Resorts, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Orlando Science Center, 1-800-Flowers, Topgolf, Fun Spot America, Thrive Coffee, City of Orlando’s Lake Eola Park, 4.22 Organics, Crooked Can Brewing, WonderWorks Orlando, Timbers Resorts, and Brevard Zoo.
Thanks to all of our partners, farm partners, and sponsors, Friends of the Farm 2025 was a record-breaking success that will fund critical initiatives to connect people to the land, educate the next generation, and create a healthier food future for our community.
Save the date for Friends of the Farm 2026: Saturday February 28: https://4rootsfarm.org/event/friends-of-the-farm-2026/
Learn more about 4Roots, explore our programs, and discover ways to support our mission at 4rootsfarm.org. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates on upcoming events.