Looking Ahead
While times have been tough, merchants are optimistic about the future. “Chicago seems pretty vibrant,” Fleming says. “We had a good Thanksgiving business, a good Christmas business. We get a lot of opportunities that we can pass on to our customers.”
Coming up, Vega sees people trending toward organics and products certified for food safety. He is confident the market’s sellers can provide what customers need.
The Chicago International Produce Market is many things to many people, and is certainly a unique part of the Windy City’s history and future. “You have your old-school guys,” says Schmit, “who were there from a long time ago, and you have the newer generations. It’s neat to see the different ways they communicate.” Gonzalez agrees, saying the produce business is “in the blood!”
