No Place Like Philly: Part 1

Summer 2026 was something of a milestone for the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market BB #:296053, marking 15 years since the market and its tenants moved into the then-new state-of-the-art Essington Avenue facility.

In the years since, Mark Smith, the market’s general manager, says tenants continue to benefit from the city’s excellent location as a distribution hub, with direct access to major highways, rail, and huge swath of consumers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

“One of our greatest strategic advantages is PhilaPort, the Port of Philadelphia, which is the leading U.S. gateway for imported fruit,” notes Smith.

“The strong working relationship between PhilaPort and the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM) helps support an efficient supply chain for produce arriving from around the world and being distributed throughout the region.”

News and Views

Economic woes are nothing new, but recent food safety challenges have proven difficult for many in the industry. following are snapshots of several businesses at the PWPM, sharing what’s been going well, what’s not, and new products or services.

M. Levin & Company, Inc. – M. Levin & Company, Inc. BB #:104129 which recently celebrated 120 years in business, is one of the longest-running tenants at the market with six units, encompassing 14 state-of-the-art ripening rooms.

Although it carries a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and more, it’s probably best known for bananas, available in both conventional and organic.

Now run by third- and fourth-generation family members, Tracie Levin, company controller, describes 2026 as “quite a year” in the produce world and beyond.

She cites overall higher costs on everything including transportation, plus tariffs, major food safety concerns, and a plethora of climate-related issues in the United States and around the world. 

“We’re always adding to our product line to meet customer needs, but we’ve seen a shift away from leafy greens, especially salad mixes and those in plastic bags due to food safety issues,” Levin says.

“We’re always adding to our product line to meet customer needs, but we’ve seen a shift away from leafy greens.”

Another affected category is organic bananas, which M. Levin & Company carries all year. Although Levin says demand remains steady, she believes the potential of the product has been limited by the U.S. economy.

Fortunately, there are reasons for optimism. Despite a slower than usual start to the year due to snow and ice in the Northeast, Levin says business has since picked back up, with the company experiencing sales comparable to those of 2025.

Ryeco, LLC – Fellow market tenant Ryeco, LLC BB #:190496 which recently added a newly renovated, off-site warehouse in Swedesboro, NJ, supplies a broad variety of imported fruits and vegetables, including specialty and exotics.

The company has also begun providing private label packaging for regional retail customers, in addition to its own Ryeco brand.

Bryan Gomez, import operations director, says the first two quarters of 2026 were extremely good in terms of overall revenue and growth. There were, however, two detriments: the foodborne illness outbreak and tariffs.

The Cyclospora outbreak, which began in May and reached its height in the summer months across 21 states, had an adverse effect on produce in general, not just lettuce and leafy greens.

“It created a pull back from most customers that resulted in an overall downturn in business,” he says.

“It created a pull back from most customers that resulted in an overall downturn in business.”

The only other item experiencing a drop in demand, Gomez adds, is grapefruit, which he believes is largely being shunned by younger generations despite numerous health benefits.

When it comes to tariffs, Gomez describes them as “a bit of a curveball,” although he stresses that most importers and exporters now have a much better understanding of how to manage the process after the fraught early days of their imposition.

“I think some exporters remain cautious of sending product to this market, but the fact is we consume so much—it’s hard not to export to the USA,” he points out.

Going forward, he reports mainstays continue to have ample demand and will continue to drive the market.

John Vena Inc. – Another of the longtime tenants—dating back to the Philadelphia market’s early Dock Street days—is John Vena Inc. BB #:104221, which offers an extensive array of fruits and vegetables, including tropical and specialty items, and herbs.

More recently, the company introduced a new program for greenhouse and baby lettuces, which have seen growth since the start of the year. It’s also expanding its imported line of mature coconuts to include easy-open options.

According to John Vena, company president, tariffs on imported products have negatively affected margins and in some cases caused customers to reduce volumes or discontinue certain items.

“As an importer, we’re also suffering from the effects of a weak dollar,” he explains. “For example, prices for goods we source in Europe are 12 to 15 percent more costly due to the exchange rate.

“As an importer, we’re also suffering from the effects of a weak dollar.”

“The cost of energy, especially surcharges for diesel and jet fuel,” he continues, “have resulted in higher costs for all aspects of our business.”

One way to offset surging costs is better use of technology and all it offers. Casey Spencer, senior marketing coordinator, confirms staying competitive digitally is a key strategy moving forward, especially for marketing.   

“Marketing-wise, we’ve adapted parts of our website, like our blog, for GEO (generative engine optimization) to adapt to the changing technology landscape and AI,” Spencer shares.

That’s it for Part 1 of our extended Philadelphia coverage, be sure to read Part 2, which can be found here.