PHILADLEPHIA, PA – A historic dinner meeting took place at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market on May 15.
The meeting marked the first time that the Eastern Produce Council convened in Pennsylvania. It benchmarked the EPC’s aggressive membership outreach beyond its traditional territory of New York City and New Jersey. The meeting also represented several firsts for the year-old Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM).
The 200 people attending the meeting established a new record attendance for groups hosted by the Philadelphia market.
For the first time, the cold-chain controlled terminal market erected tents within its one-quarter-mile-long shopping concourse. Heated tents – one for a cocktail hour and another to seat the large dinner meeting – protected the crowd from the 50-degree ambient temperature, which protects produce quality and freshness.
Sonny DiCrecchio, PWPM president and CEO, said May 16: “We were thrilled that EPC’s membership was so supportive of this event. It was phenomenal participation from those who live in the New York metropolitan area, as well as down-state New Jersey. We hope to host the EPC again very soon.”
John McAleavey, EPC executive director, indicated: “The Philadelphia market dinner was a win for everyone. You must see the new market to understand its immensity, cleanliness and efficiency. Our members were very impressed by the facility, as well as the market’s ability to swing from an active market in the morning to become a wonderful social destination in the afternoon.
“We at the EPC are very excited about increasing our members’ involvement from the Philadelphia area, as well as Baltimore-Washington,” McAleavey added. “This was a huge first step in that direction.”
Source: Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market & The Eastern Produce Council