“We survived a tough winter, and we’re looking forward to having a good 2014,” said Chip Wiechec, owner and president of Hunter Bros. Inc. “Hopefully people will want to buy fresh produce as spring unfolds. We also hope that there won’t be strong resistance to prices. Between the increased transportation costs and produce shortages in California, prices are going be higher. But we’re also hopeful that the local growers, despite the cold winter that extended into part of spring, will have a great year. That will help us to all have a great year.”

Todd Penza, sales representative for Pinto Bros. Inc., located on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, told The Produce News that Alex Penza, the son of Fred Penza, one of the company’s three principles, joined the company last year. The 23-year-old is working in the sales department.

“Alex joining us makes three of the third generation that now work in the business,” said Penza. “My father, Louis Penza, is another principle, and the third principle is Buddy Lombardo. His son, Michael, also works for the company.”

Mark Levin, chief executive officer of M. Levin & Co., located on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, stands more strongly than ever on the words he said to The Produce News shortly after the new facility opened for business in June 2011: “If I were a box of produce, the PWPM is where I’d want to be.”

Since moving to the new building the company has diversified, especially in its deliveries.

“Locally grown programs are a strong focus for our company,” Jack Collotti, president of Collotti & Sons, located on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market told The Produce News. “Our company has operated in Philadelphia for over 50 years, and during our history — in addition to our many other programs — we have always been committed to local produce. We support locally grown initiatives in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and other regions we source from that have programs in place.”

Heading toward its third anniversary in June, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market continues to set standards around the world for its cutting-edge technology, cleanliness and unbroken cold chain that result in numerous benefits for tenants as well as for customers.

Dan Kane, general manager of the PWPM, pointed out that the advantages reaped by everyone involved in the market are numerous.

Clifford Produce, a longtime produce marketer based in Ruthven, ON, has apparently closed its doors.

On April 22, the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation in Ottawa issued an expulsion notice regarding Clifford Produce Sales Inc. The memo stated, "Clifford Produce Sales Inc., 1593 Essex County Rd. # 34, Ruthven, ON, Canada, N0P 2G0, has been expelled from the DRC membership effective April 17, 2014."

The reason given for the expulsion in the memo is due to Clifford Produce Sales not meeting its debts as they came due.