Other improvements include new cameras to monitor the premises and gather more information on market activities to help ensure food safety, and working with an engineering firm for an overhaul to the dock canopy. Only a year ago, the Jessup Market replaced the roof for the market buildings to the tune of $780,000.
There has also been movement towards enclosing the docks, a trend among older terminal markets nationwide, to update facilities for better cold chain management and food safety protocols. While enclosing the docks is viewed positively by many, the age of the buildings creates an obstacle. After reviewing their options in terms of both the actual price tag as well as the impact such work would have on the Market’s merchants and operations, market officials decided it was a no-go, at least for the time being.
MARKET STATS
Maryland Wholesale Produce MarketThe Maryland Wholesale Produce Market or Jessup Market is readily accessible to both buyers and sellers, retail and wholesale. It is nestled between routes 175 and 195, and serviced directly by the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. On a significant rail line, there’s easy access to international shipments coming through the Port of Philadelphia and air freight from Dulles International Airport in nearby Washington DC.
Location:
7460 Conowingo Avenue, Jessup, MD 20794Contact Information:
• Security Guardhouse – 410-799-3880
• Market Administration – 410-379-5760
• Website – www.mfca.info
• Market Manager – Gary Decker, gdecker@mfca.info
• Fax – 410-379-5773
“Unfortunately, the cost to upgrade the building to current-day building codes,” Harrell explains, “is extremely costly when you’re talking about a 43-year-old building. At this time, the MFCA does not have plans to enclose the docks,” she concludes.
Environmental Mindfulness
Another major effort by merchants and others at the Maryland Food Center is participation in the annual U.S. Food Waste Challenge each year, which ran from the end of March through June. The effort, begun in 2013, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to curb food waste at businesses and organizations throughout the United States and turn it into low or no-cost meals for families in need.
Participants in the Waste Challenge include not only national conglomerates and sports teams, but schools and universities, county governments, and an increasing number of food and produce businesses as well. The Philadelphia Flyers, Con Agra Foods, Chipotle restaurants, 7-Eleven, Costco, and several terminal markets make up the ranks.
