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October 8, 2026Award-winning NBC 4 New York journalist Pei-Sze Cheng will emcee the event on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury
LONG ISLAND, NY — October 7, 2026 — Long Island’s most anticipated fundraiser, Island Harvest Food Bank’s Taste of the Harvest Celebration, returns on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, New York. Award-winning journalist Pei-Sze Cheng, a member of NBC 4 New York’s investigative unit, the I-Team, will be emceeing the food bank’s largest fundraising event of the year.
The Taste of the Harvest Celebration is a casual, cocktail-party-style event where guests can leisurely sample an array of delicious food and desserts prepared by some of Long Island’s top restaurants, caterers, country clubs, and other fine eateries. The food and desserts include offerings from Long Island’s top restaurants, including Lessing’s Bayberry, Mirabelle, Sandbar and View; Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace; SerendipiTea; Sysco Long Island; Limani; and Prime 1040.
This unforgettable evening brings together over 40 of Long Island’s top restaurants and more than 500 guests to celebrate food, community, and giving back in support of Island Harvest’s mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island.
This year’s fundraiser will honor Sysco Long Island with Island Harvest’s Above & Beyond award. Sysco Long Island is part of the world’s leading food-away-from-home food distributor with a deep commitment to the customers and communities it serves. As a trusted partner to restaurants, healthcare, educational institutions, hospitality businesses and others across the region, Sysco Long Island provides access to an extensive selection of fresh produce, premium proteins, specialty products, equipment, and supplies, along with expertise and personalized service to help its customers succeed. Sysco Long Island was selected for Island Harvest’s prestigious Above & Beyond award for its long-term leadership in showing that success is more than business—it is about supporting the community and making a difference, especially through its steadfast support for hunger relief on Long Island.
Receiving the Linda Breitstone Spirit Award (named for Island Harvest’s founder) is Michael D’Onofrio, managing partner and president of Massapequa-based Premier Payroll Solutions. A lifelong Long Islander and accomplished entrepreneur, Michael has built his career on relationships, exceptional service, and a commitment to the community he calls home.
For more than a decade, Michael has championed causes across Long Island, including families facing food insecurity. Each year, he rallies his colleagues and network to raise funds to purchase turkeys for Island Harvest’s annual Turkey & Trimmings Collection Campaign. From personally delivering hundreds of turkeys at a time to funding complete holiday meals, Michael has fed countless Long Island families and made giving back a family tradition.
His professional success and commitment to his family and the community embody the values of generosity, hard work and service that personify the Linda Breitstone Spirit Award, honoring Island Harvest’s founder and the legacy she left behind.
Key sponsors for the Taste of the Harvest Celebration are Amazon, Jill & Jay Bernstein, Sysco Long Island, The Frank J. Antun Foundation, Farrell Fritz, National Grid, Northville Industries, Premiere Payroll Solutions, PSEG Long Island, Purity Products, and the Sanders Family Charitable Foundation.
Tickets for the Taste of the Harvest celebration are $400 per person, and the purchase helps Island Harvest continue its hunger-relief efforts throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. The celebration also features an exciting raffle and a silent auction with prizes including New York sports tickets and memorabilia, weekend getaways, luxury items, restaurant gift certificates, and more.
For more information about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Franca Gerrard, Associate Director of Marketing and Special Events, at 631-873-4775, extension 228, franca@islandharvest.org or www.islandharvest.org.
About Island Harvest Food Bank. Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. This is accomplished through innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, its Healthy Harvest Farm, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, and efficient food collection and distribution. Island Harvest’s work directly supports children, families, seniors, and veterans who turn to them in times of crisis and supports a network of community-based nonprofit organizations. Island Harvest Food Bank is a member of Feeding America®, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to solve hunger in the United States. To learn more, visit www.islandharvest.org.
Contact: Don Miller
West End Strategies, Ltd.
516-330-1647