Picnic with a Purpose

According to the New York Health Department, 25 percent of New Yorkers struggle with food insecurity. That’s one in four people who live in the Empire State, and with the steadily rising cost of living, it’s only going to get worse. Dan Colen founded Sky High Farm in 2012 with the purpose of addressing the urgent need for nutritious, healthy food in upstate New York and New York City. Four years later, he established it as a 501(c)3. 

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This Saturday, Sky High Farm will hold a Spring Picnic at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli, New York. Led by co-executive directors Joshua Bardfield and Sarah Workneh, the afternoon benefit—which is the follow up to a 2021 gathering of the same name—is all about community. It’s also headlined by Grammy-winning hip-hop legends The Roots, along with performances by Kelsey Lu and Moses Sumney, plus a DJ set by Michaël Brun. 

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In addition to listening to live music, picnic goers can peruse through the Sky High Farm Universe Marketplace, which will feature brands like Cecilie Bahnsen, Nike, Eckhaus Latta, Birkenstock, Awake NY, Tekla, Parley for the Oceans, Erewhon Market (whether their smoothies will be available is still TBD), the non-profit’s fashion partner, the clothing label Sky High Universe, and more. Converse will unveil its latest Sky High Farm Universe collaboration sneaker, while Tata Harper Skincare will debut its new Nourishing Hand Cream. 

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Gagosian (who represents Colen), Nike, Chanel, Nine Orchard Hotel, and Ruby Hibiscus Water are among the sponsors and with an advisory committee consisting of Chioma Nnadi, Derek Blasberg, Julia Chiang, and Family Style cover star Chloë Sevigny, along with a host committee including another Family Style cover girl, Paloma Elsesser, Ryan McGinley, Carlos Nazario, Laila Gohar, Jen Brill, Kunle Martins, and Marc Jacobs. 

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All proceeds from the Spring Picnic will benefit Sky High Farm’s goal of solving urgent and long-term issues at the intersection of climate, food access, and education. Who doesn’t want that?

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Sky High Farm’s Spring Picnic will take place on May 18, 2024 at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli, New York. Tickets are available online now.

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