Since opening three years ago, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market has been touting itself as the world’s largest, fully-refrigerated wholesale produce marketplace.
With 700,000 square feet of space, this modern facility has indoor, consistently chilled facilities keeping customers and produce safe from the elements, while maximizing shelf life and ensuring freshness and crispness. It is a quarter-mile-long, multi-story, skylit, fully refrigerated fruit and vegetable warehouse.
The main benefits of being in the new produce market is not having to break the cold chain, which is very important in maintaining the quality for fresh produce. The Philly market also is ahead of the curve as far as keeping up with new standards and government sanctioned food safety regulations.
This prevents product that is being staged for orders from sitting in the 100 degree heat during the summertime in Philadelphia. This past winter was a true test of the market’s value to the merchants and to their customers. Business was conducted in a clean, safe temperature controlled environment, while some other wholesale terminal markets dealt with freezing temps and blowing snow.
The lay out of the market also makes it easier for refrigerated big rigs to maneuver, with less delays. The market now employs 1,500, up from 1,100 at the former Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal on Galloway Street in South Philly. It is now located on Essington Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.
On the other hand, just 25 produce firms now operate in the new center, down from 40 at the old terminal, though surviving firms have expanded to fill the available space.