Hunts Point Produce Market is feeding New York

With roots dating back to 1790, the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, NY, is an invaluable hub for produce reaching all corners of New York and surrounding areas.

Hunts Point is the largest produce terminal market in the world, with more than 210 million packages of produce trading annually, representing nearly $2.3 billion in sales and reaching more than 23 million people.

Between the 30 member firms working on the market — many family-run companies — there’s not a produce request a customer can’t fill.

Hunts Point operates as a “spot market,” meaning prices fluctuate throughout the delay based on supply and demand.

Phillip Grant, general manager of Hunts Point, noted that unknown creates a very dynamic and exciting environment to do business which also makes the market an exciting place.

“The ecosystem of Hunts Point and the generational experience in each firm are keys to the market running so smoothly,” he said. “What I love about this market is everyone is willing to pitch in or point you in the right direction and impart their knowledge. It’s very important that we’re engaged within the community and giving back.”

Grant leads a team of 125 supporting the day-to-day market operations and capital planning for the over 1 million-square-foot market.

Stefanie Katzman, executive vice president at S. Katzman Produce, which has been at Hunts Point for five decades, noted the location of Hunts Point just makes the terminal market instrumental in feeding so many.

“It’s in the middle of everything. We’re in one of the most densely populated areas of the country and we’re surrounded by so many different types of stores and such a diverse population,” she said. “The surrounding tristate area — New Jersey, Connecticut, upstate New York, they take advantage of the market because of where we are and the trucks we are able to send out. We have about 40 delivery trucks every single day and run our trucks six-and-half days a week.”

Gabriela D’Arrigo, vice president of marketing for D’Arrigo New York, which operates 36 stalls at Hunts Point, noted the market provides approximately 65 percent of all fresh produce that goes into New York City and the surrounding areas.

The pandemic did cause some challenges for those at Hunts Point, and there’s still some companies that are dealing with labor and truck issues. Thankfully, things are looking better in early 2022.

“We’re seeing a lot more foot-traffic come into the market, so that’s a positive and more people are coming in and looking for jobs,” D’Arrigo said. “There’s still a demand for labor though, drivers in particular, but we’re getting more applications online.”

But those working Hunts Point today are getting the job done and ensuring that New York continues to receive the best produce available — just as it’s always been able to do.

Hunts Point also partners with local food rescue and foodservice organizations to donate surplus produce, with more than 6 million pounds of food annually going to those who need it in the five boroughs and Westchester County through great organizations like City Harvest and Food Bank for New York City.