CEO Mark Smith highlights Philadelphia wholesale produce market's $1B impact on community

The Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee convened on March 6, 2025, to discuss key issues impacting Pennsylvania's agricultural landscape, with a focus on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM). Mark Smith, CEO and General Manager of PWPM, provided an extensive overview of the market's history, operations, and community contributions.

Smith began by highlighting the market's roots, tracing back to the early fruit and vegetable marketplace on Dock Street in Philadelphia. He emphasized the market's evolution, noting its relocation to South Philadelphia in the late 1950s and the subsequent construction of a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2011. This facility, the largest refrigerated building in the world, spans 686,000 square feet and plays a crucial role in ensuring the freshness and quality of produce delivered to customers.

The PWPM operates as a cooperative of mostly multi-generational family-owned businesses, employing over 300 local workers and generating over $1 billion in annual sales. Smith underscored the market's significance in Pennsylvania's agricultural community and its role in the state's food security infrastructure. He noted that the market serves a wide geographic area, with customers traveling from as far as North Carolina to purchase goods.

A key aspect of Smith's presentation was the market's commitment to community support through food rescue and donation initiatives. In partnership with local organizations, PWPM has donated over 10 million pounds of produce annually to food banks and community programs, significantly reducing food waste and contributing to sustainability efforts. Smith reported a 50% decrease in overall food waste, with much of the excess produce redirected to donation streams or converted into energy through biodigestion.

Smith also addressed the importance of ongoing partnerships with state and federal entities for facility upgrades and operational support. He highlighted a recent $3.2 million funding initiative that enabled the replacement of refrigeration system condensers, ensuring the facility's long-term operational efficiency.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the PWPM's commitment to delivering high-quality produce while supporting local communities and minimizing waste. The committee acknowledged the market's vital contributions to Pennsylvania's agricultural sector and the importance of continued collaboration with state partners to maintain its operations.