In 2014 the MFCA received an award from the World Union of Wholesale Markets, based in Netherlands, for a project replacing the produce terminal market’s dock canopy. “That was a direct response to the needs of our produce tenants for maintaining their HAACP plans,” notes Harrell. Due in part to the terminal market’s food safety and abundance of customers, she adds, “We have a waiting list for produce tenants.”
Harrell also emphasizes how the MFCA works with local and state authorities during traffic and weather events, like the historic blizzard from Winter Storm Jonas that pummeled the area this past January. “The market management did a phenomenal job clearing the snow out,” says Vitrano. “We did close for one day, mainly because our employees couldn’t get out of the side streets.”
Overcoming the Off-Season Problem
Wholesalers say weather related transportation issues are not a concern during the Maryland season. Winter is different—but wholesalers here are used to it. “We brought in as many inbound loads as possible before the blizzard,” recalls Sam Cefalu, vice president of procurement at G. Cefalu & Bro. Produce, Inc. “We made sure our fleet of 80 vehicles were all back at our place by four o’clock (pm) and our employees were home safe before the blizzard hit.”
Even with planning, G. Cefalu & Bro. still had to improvise. Drifting snow collapsed the roof of the company’s facility (nearby, but not part of the Jessup terminal market). “We were for all intents and purposes in ‘catastrophe’ mode. But we have an incredible employee team, which made the seemingly impossible possible,” says Mark Moderacki, president of G. Cefalu.
Despite the difficulties and moving to another location, Moderacki says business has increased by two-thirds over the past four years. This summer, the company will move into a new state-of-the-art facility at the Baltimore-Washington Logistics Center in Jessup, the former site of a Giant Foods warehouse.
Production and Shipping
Trucks hauling local product can arrive at Jessup within two hours—without traffic—from Caroline County and neighboring Talbot County (Easton). “We do see an uptick in regional shipping,” says Steve Covey, executive vice president at Choptank Transport, near Preston in Caroline County. “Shipments are not going as far as they used to, I’d say 200 miles is the max,” and direct store delivery from Maryland farms continues to increase as well, he says.
Virginia leads the region for tomato production, though shipments are also increasing from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee, according to some wholesalers. “Retail consumers and some foodservice accounts prefer the quality and taste of Eastern tomatoes in the summer,” notes Ari Pappas of Pete Pappas & Sons, Inc., which is featuring East Tennessee-grown round, Roma, cherry, and grape tomatoes this year.
