Over the past couple of years, the New England Produce Center (NEPC) and the Boston Market Terminal (BMT) have undergone some impressive improvements, from ecofriendly practices to infrastructure upgrades.
“The Boston Market Terminal has been initiating greener practices, such as waste separation, for some time now and this continues to evolve,” points out Tommy Piazza, in sales for Community-Suffolk, Inc., BB #:101225 a wholesaler operating out of both the BMT and NEPC.
For instance, he says disposable pallets at the BMT are turned into wood chips and offered for sale or donated to the community when needed.
“Composting and working with local hog farmers makes good use of any vegetable matter being discarded,” he adds. “All of this benefits the market, the community, and the planet.”
Additionally, to enhance safety, the BMT recently installed additional cameras throughout the facility, Piazza says.
The NEPC also has some improvements in the works.
“There are plans for infrastructure upgrades to the current water system as well as new paving,” notes Paul Travers, president of Travers Fruit Company, Inc., BB #:278519 located on the NEPC.
In addition to overall market improvements, some NEPC merchants are incorporating innovations on their own. Patrick Burke, sales manager with Garden Fresh Salad Company, Inc. BB #:101286 on the NEPC, says Garden Fresh is constantly upgrading and improving its space.
“This year, we updated the cooling systems in both of our buildings, and we put all new automatic doors in our plant,” said Burke.
Another upgrade with food safety in mind revolves around foot traffic. “We also added a foot spray for when you walk in and out of the prep room, which sanitizes your feet.”
This is a multi-part spotlight feature on Boston produce adapted from the October 2019 issue of Produce Blueprints.
