August 21, 2026
Provided Image/Hayday Farms
A van owned by Hayday Farms was carjacked while heading to a farmers market at Headhouse Square in Philadelphia on Aug. 16. Co-owner William Whittenberg, above, says the famers market community rallied to support the small farm in the aftermath.
William Whittenberg, the co-owner of Bucks County's Hayday Farms, arrived bright and early for the weekly Sunday farmers market at Headhouse Square in Society Hill on Sunday.
As vendors got themselves set up for the day's crowds, Whittenberg unloaded about 600 pounds of heirloom tomatoes and waited for his son to arrive with the rest of their produce for the day. The father and son duo operate the organic farm on about five acres in Doylestown. They're best-known for their juicy heirloom tomatoes and garlic products.
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To keep on schedule, Whittenberg and his son share their locations while they're on the road. Whittenberg's son was driving their Ford Transit 250 cargo van — the kind used by many Amazon drivers — with crates of vegetables and herbs neatly arranged in the back. As time ticked by, Whittenberg grew concerned.
"The tracking thing wasn't moving at all," he said.
About 19 miles away, on the 14000 block of Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philly, Whittenberg's son had been carjacked. Whittenberg's son asked not to be identified by name for this story, preferring that his father recount the experience instead.
Just before 8 a.m., while the cargo van was stopped at a traffic light, a man jumped onto the rear platform, Philadelphia police said. The younger Whittenberg was startled, but he used quick thinking to put the van in reverse so he could observe what was happening on the mounted rearview camera.
"He tried to swerve a little bit to get the guy to jump off, going super slow, but the van was full of produce — crates of watermelon and cantaloupes — so you can't really swerve much or it all falls over," William Whittenberg said. "And so the guy was still there. Then the guy starts hitting at the backup camera and knocks if off along with the rear brake light at the top of the vehicle."
Whittenberg's son was on the way to Interstate 95 en route to Headhouse Square. He knew he couldn't get on the highway with a man on the back of his van. Even continuing to drive around on local roads could have risked the suspect's life or put himself and others in danger. He decided to pull over at a bus stop.
"He starts yelling at the guy. They have a verbal back and forth — less than kind words, frankly," Whittenberg said. "And then the guy jumps down and punches him in the face, jumps in the van and takes off. Then he throws the cell phone out of the window."
Police confirmed the carjacking suspect fled after assaulting Whittenberg's son, who was left with a black eye.
After the attack, Whittenberg's son suddenly found himself stranded without a phone. That's why the discarded device appeared to be at a standstill on his dad's tracking app. A bystander called 911, and a police officer in Bensalem helped him get in contact with Philadelphia police to investigate the carjacking.
At Headhouse Square, unaware of what had happened, William asked other vendors to take over the Hayday Farms stand.
"We had customers coming, jumping behind the table, selling our tomatoes for us," he said. "It started to rain. Another vendor gave us a tent. We had a literal cash box from from our jams that we were using. Everyone just sort of jumped in and filled the gap. It's really pretty remarkable. The farmers market community is unique."
While driving to the location of his son's abandoned phone, Whittenburg got a call from an unfamiliar number. It was his son.
"He goes, 'I was carjacked.' I said, 'What? I don't understand. You were what?' So I'm driving up, thinking the worst. It was more surreal than traumatic," Whittenberg said.
The Whittenbergs lost their van, all of their prepared food products and fresh produce, their main cash box and essential equipment like tents, tables, shelves and other market supplies.
Once word of the incident spread to other vendors in the tight-knit farmers market community, the Whittenbergs were encouraged to start a GoFundMe campaign.
"Within 12 hours, we had $7,600, which is just nuts," Whittenberg said. "Vendors at our at our farmers markets have reposted it and it's been broadening to their communities as well for people that hop on and are making gifts. It's really just been an amazing response."
Two days after the carjacking, Bensalem police found the cargo van at an undisclosed location, authorities said. Whittenberg said it was damaged, but salvageable. Police are still searching for a suspect, but did not provide a description of the offender.
As of Friday afternoon, the Whittenbergs' GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $11,700. Whittenberg said that will be more than enough to cover Hayday Farms' losses. The Whittenbergs plans to continue taking donations for a period of time to direct all additional proceeds back into supporting farmers markets in Philadelphia.
Since the Whittenbergs started their small farm during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayday Farms has become a regular vendor at four weekly farmers markets in the city. They go to the Northern Liberties Farmers Market at the Piazza on Saturdays and the Headhouse Farmers Market on Sundays. They also partner with the Food Trust as a vendor for the Tuesday market at Fourth Street and Lehigh Avenue in Kensington and the Wednesday market at 52nd and Haverford Avenue in West Philly. Those two markets accept SNAP benefits and offer discounts through the Food Trust's Food Bucks program.
"A big part of our business model is doing markets in areas that need access to food," Whittenberg said. "Clean, fresh fruits and vegetables. Everybody deserves that. We're going to commit a certain amount of that money to help bolster support for our food access markets."
The Whittenbergs have spent the past week sending thanks to those who have donated money, and William said the experience has shown how helpful farmers are to one another.
"They're very responsive and they care about you," Whittenberg said. "It's really hard to ask for help, you know?"
Hayday Farms plans to attend this Sunday's Headhouse Farmers Market at Second and Lombard streets, and Whittenburg said he and his son will be giving away some free heirloom tomatoes as a show of thanks for the support they've received.
"It goes without saying, but it is important to say it and to express that because of how grateful I am," Whittenberg said.
Philadelphia police said anyone with information about the carjacking suspect can call the department's anonymous tip line at (215) 686-8477. An investigation is ongoing with Northeast Detectives.
