Wholesale Markets for Fruits and Vegetables in 40 Cities

Report Foreword: Recent studies of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics show that the wholesale and jobbing markets for perishable agricultural commodities in many of the large cities need to be reorganized. In many of these cities there are too many markets. They are poorly coordinated with one another, and in only a few cities is there anything like adequate provision for the handling of motortruck receipts. If changes were made to correct this situation the cost of city wholesaling and distribution could be substantially reduced and better service could be given to the farmer, to the retailer, and to the consumer. The purpose of this report is to bring together certain statistical information and descriptive material concerning the wholesale fruit and vegetable markets of several of the principal cities of the United States, and to point out some of the general principles which need to be considered in any plan of improving these markets. Before any actual reorganization or construction is undertaken in any of these cities it would be necessary to make more intensive studies of the local situation. Failure to make such studies has already resulted in waste of millions of dollars in unsatisfactory and little-used market facilities in many cities. After an adequate study has been made of the markets of any city a definite program for market improvement should be drawn up. With a satisfactory plan worked out it is reasonable to expect members of the trade and others to cooperate in finding a way to effect these improvements. If this is not done, it is probable that city, State, and Federal Governments will have to play a larger and larger part in the planning of improvements and in regulating marketing methods.