PHILADELPHIA: Selling in the City of Brotherly Love

“Organics is a huge business with huge demand,” confirms Maxwell, but this side of the business is not without its challenges. “It’s very tough to manage,” he concedes. “You have to procure product from all over the world to maintain a consistent supply throughout the year.”

“It’s tough to sell organics at the terminal,” agrees Steve Secamiglio, in sales for Colonial Produce, Inc. “The chains aren’t buying off the market, and the customers here are usually looking for deals.”

PHILDADELPHIA WHOLE SALE PRODUCE MARKET
Merchant Listing & Phone Numbers

A. Vassallo, Inc. (215) 336-1984
B.R.S. Produce Company (215) 336-5454
Collotti & Sons, Inc. (215) 389-3335
Colonial Produce, Inc. (215) 748-6650
Coosemans Philadelphia, Inc. (215) 334-3634
E.W. Kean Company, Inc. (215) 336-2321
First Choice Food Distrubutors (215) 336-0500
Frank Monte, Broker (215) 336-3766
G & G Produce, Inc. (215) 336-9922
Hunter Bros., Inc. (215) 336-4343
James F. Pontari & Bros., Inc. (215) 336-7000
Jerry Bader, Inc. (215) 336-7340
John Vena, Inc. (215) 336-0766
Kaleck Brothers, Inc. (215) 336-3027
Klinghoffer Bros., Inc. (215) 336-3800
M. Levin & Company, Inc. (215) 336-2900
Nardella, Inc. (215) 336-1558
North American Produce Company (215) 525-6444
Paul Giordano & Sons, Inc. (215) 755-7900
Pinto Bros., Inc. (215) 336-3015
Procacci Bros. Sales Corp. (215) 334-1400
Produce Interchange (215) 389-1782
Ryeco, LLC (215) 551-8883
Sam Ricelli Brokerage, Inc. (215) 462-3111
T. M. Kovacevich (215) 336-3160
Tom Benigno Fruit & Produce Broker (267) 443-2651
Tom Curtis Produce Company, Inc. (215) 336-1370
Wick & Brother, Inc. (215) 336-2252

M. Levin & Company, Inc. is taking the plunge into organics slow while assessing the pros and cons. “Every year, we get a little more into organics,” shares Mark Levin, chief executive officer.

“It’s a tough pull, though. You have the Whole Foods-type of stores that offer a lot of organics, but most retailers pick and choose certain items, and organics usually cost more than most people can afford unless you’re selling into an affluent area,” Levin remarks. “From the wholesale side, the gross profit is higher but the volume is significantly lower.”

Levin says this imbalance could change if demand for organics leads to more farms and dedicated acreage. Like Maxwell, he believes more consistent volume and availability would go a long way towards normalizing price.