GIVING BACK
Despite the ups and downs of the wholesale world, merchants at the PWPM are driven to give back to their community, especially by donating food and trying to keep otherwise safe and edible—though imperfect—food from landfills. The PWPM donates between 1.5 and 2.2 million pounds of produce annually to a local group, Philabundance. Philabundance, the area’s largest hunger relief organization, distributes food to those in need, ranging from 20 to 30 million pounds annually.
Philabundance’s refrigerated truck makes daily stops at the PWPM, and some wholesalers on the market such as Procacci Brothers and M. Levin & Company, Inc. load items from their warehouse locations and coordinate additional donations through trading partners. Three years ago, Philabundance opened the nation’s first nonprofit grocery store called ‘Fare and Square’ in Chester, about 15 miles southwest of the city, erasing one of the Delaware Valley’s 35 food deserts in the process.
FRESH FORUM
What keeps you up at night?Stephen Secamiglio – Colonial Produce, Inc.
What keeps me up at night? I love this business; there is no business like this in the world. It’s a challenge every day, and no one day is the same as the previous day. You never know what to expect doing this.John Dohanicz – G&G Produce, Inc.
Maintaining good integrity with good product on a consistent basis. It’s not a problem getting product, we just hope the quality of the product is consistent, that it comes in clean and consistent, so we can maintain good standards with our customers.John Vena – John Vena, Inc.
Besides the everyday challenge ofmanaging a small business, I spend a lot of time trying to determine what changes in shopping and shipping styles will mean to my business. As wholesalers, we face strong direct competition each day, but the indirect competition growing out of new and innovative technology applications is really daunting. Our biggest challenge is to maintain our relevance in the marketplace for our customers.Mark Levin – M. Levin & Company, Inc.
I buy the grapes, watermelons, berries, and one is always keeping me up at night—it’s produce and it’s perishable, so I’m always thinking about it. We treat it like ourchildren. For forty years, I’ve looked at every package and tried to make sure it leaves the same way it came in.Todd Penza – Pinto Bros., Inc.
I think the produce industry just needs to keep pushing to increase consumption. We sell the healthiest food in the supermarket, and the industry needs to get the next generation on board with enjoying fruits and vegetables.Mike Maxwell – Procacci Brothers
This business moves fast, so any number of factors will tend to stick in your mind in that regard. From products to packaging to service, we’re continually trying to innovate and be of the best value we can to our customers. This business and the consumers who affect it move fast, and we need to ensure we’re doing our best to move even faster.Filindo Colace – Ryeco, LLC
We want to be a full-line provider and small family business service—that’s what keeps me up. We want to move large amounts of produce and have the service of a mom-and-pop deli. We need good people, good technology, and shippers that supply year-round with quality items. I want my customers to have everything they need and no reason to go anyplace else.Tom Curtis – Tom Curtis Brokerage, Inc.
Weather and trucks: getting trucks with the least amount of problems, whether it’s loading, coming, or a responsible truck driver to check in if there’s a problem. In this day and age, the biggest sin is not calling. And the weather—I don’t think anyone in California thought it would be this bad five years ago.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
When speaking of the challenges and obstacles faced by distributors, Levin jokes that his ‘dynamic personality’ is how he has gotten through the years. It is, however, less of a joke than any shared laughter may insinuate.
As Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Diligence is the mother of good luck”—and just like the generations prior to the many dors who share space at the Philadelphia market, they work hard to make their own luck.
Through character, charisma, and a continuous cultivation of relationships, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and its merchants keep their evolving supply of fruits, vegetables, and herbs fresh, healthful, and inviting.
Image: ©iStock.com/jgroup/Jeff Biglan
