The fourth Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class — including produce retailer and supplier professionals — saw first-hand the increasing complexity of the produce logistics and distribution system with a tour of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and Holt Logistics.
“This tour is the kick-off event of our leadership program and provides crucial insight into these parts of the supply chain,” Susan McAleavey Sarlund, council executive director, said in a news release. “We are excited to mentor another great class this year with diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
The group began its program at the wholesale market with a presentation from General Manager Mark Smith. Smith explained how the fully enclosed facility harnesses technology and why it is unique in the terminal market arena. The group then walked the concourse and met with several market merchants.
Mark Levin of M. Levin Co. at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market speaks to the Eastern Produce Council class. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Produce Council.
The next stop on the tour was Holt Logistics Corp at the Gloucester Marine Terminal in Gloucester City, N.J. After lunch, Sander Daniel of Holt explained the facilities; the value-added services encompassing the Philadelphia port; and its role and importance in the import supply chain.
“Geographically we are in the largest economic region on the planet,” he said, according to the release. “We are also adjacent to the second largest D.C. hub in the U.S. Additionally, we are skilled at handling perishables — about 55% of imported containers at Packer Marine Terminal are refrigerated and we have on-dock CBP-Ag inspection facilities.”
Participants gleaned new insight from the real-world nature of the tour.
Anyone in the produce industry can register to attend Eastern Produce Council's Casino Night gala April 9 at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, N.J., the council's biggest fundraiser and event of the year.
“I was very excited to visit the port in particular because I have purchased imported product and had never been to the port,” Noelle Neary, category manager at Wakefern, Elizabeth, N.J., said in the release “I loved learning about the different areas of the port and how there are specific USDA and fumigation areas, as well as learning that the turnaround time at the port does not begin until the container is unloaded, transferred in ownership and plugged in.”
Daniel escorted the participants on a tour of the Del Monte facility given by John McCann, vice president of the Northeast region for Del Monte Fresh Produce and council member. McCann explained the company's system of receiving, processing and shipping imported product. He provided samples of ripe Del Monte pineapple and cantaloupe.
John McCann showcases new Del Monte products to the leadership class. Photo: Courtesy of Eastern Produce Council
Dan Oettinger, retail supervisor at JOH, Paramus, N.J., said in the release that he was impressed with the measures employed for the safety and transport of food.
“This is my first time visiting a facility like Del Monte's,” he said. “It's been eye-opening to see what it takes to secure delivery of our products.”
The council's program delivers a dual-medium learning environment, including tours and classroom learning activities throughout the year.
“It was great to see how the participants were already very engaged with one another and the tours,” McAleavey Sarlund said in the release.
Participants selected for this year's program include:
- Mohammed Bouzaidi of Global Fresh Vision LLC;
- John Carapella, Jr. of Sierra Produce;
- Shanna Deegan of Suja Juice;
- Catherine DeLettera with Zespri;
- Louis Getzelman of Canyon Sales Company LLC;
- Patrick Hallock of Four Seasons Produce;
- Brendan Haslam of Bolthouse Farms;
- Peter Machala of Wakefern Food Corp.;
- Krystal McCusker of The Oppenheimer Group;
- Juliet Moran with Suja Juice;
- Noelle Neary of Wakefern Food Corp.;
- Dan Oettinger with JOH Metro;
- Garett Sebor of Key Food Stores;
- Kate Watson of The Oppenheimer Group; and
- Shawn Wen with Zespri.
Also participating in the tour was current council Vice President Theresa Lowden, executive vice president of produce and floral at JOH, and council Board Member Al Murray.