The Changing Structure of the Philadelphia Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market

Excerpts from the report Introduction: The structure (or organization) and operation of wholesale fresh fruit and vegetable terminal markets in the United States have changed considerably since the 1930's. Although the volume of fruits and vegetables in the United States sold by farmers and imported for fresh use increased about 12 percent between the late 1930's and the late 1950’s, the volume handled by the wholesale marketing system declined about 10 to 12 percent. The Philadelphia wholesale produce market, the Nation's fourth largest market, experienced changes similar to those of other wholesale markets during this period. Of particular interest in Philadelphia since 1958 has been the impact of a change in location of produce market facilities. In 1969, a modern wholesale produce market was opened in Philadelphia as part of a new Food Distribution Center. This report describes the organization of the Philadelphia market and the buying, selling, and operating practices of the wholesalers in the market in 1964, 6 years after the opening of the new market facility. It also describes and appraises changes which have taken place in the market, with particular emphasis on changes between 1958 and 1964.