Local Pennsylvania farm launches fundraiser after carjacking destroys produce van

Hayday Farms, a five-acre operation near Philadelphia, was hit by a vehicle theft when a suspect in medical scrubs attacked a driver at a stoplight and drove off with a van full of fresh produce. The employee received a black eye but is recovering, while the stolen van was retrieved by Bensalem police after two days, leaving the farm with a ripped vehicle, missing equipment and rotting fruit inside. The loss includes a cash box, honey supplies and weighing scales, and the damaged van may not return to service for several weeks.

In response, owner Hank Whittenberg opened a GoFundMe page, urging local support; the campaign has amassed more than $11,000 within days. Whittenberg expressed surprise at the outpouring, noting it shows strong backing from the Philadelphia community.