PMA leaders, Janet Erickson, chairman of the board; Peter Goulet, chairman-elect; Dave Corsi, chairman of the retail division; Bud Floyd, executive committee member; and Bryan Silbermann, PMA president, met with Hunts Point Market co-president Matt D'Arrigo of D'Arrigo Brothers of New York and other members of the market's board.
Discussions focused on issues ranging from market modernization to transportation challenges facing the industry. As co-chair of PMA's transportation task force, Floyd briefed the group on recent research conducted on the subject of produce transportation practices and outlined the task force's plan to publish best practices later this year.
"Meeting with the leadership of Hunts Point Market gives PMA a great opportunity to learn more about this vital market and the pivotal role it plays in New York, especially for the many thousands of restaurants and independent food stores that make this city's food scene so unique," Erickson explained.
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The New York visit was the most recent of a series of visits by PMA leaders to wholesale markets in the United States and Australia. In late June, Silbermann visited New England Produce Market in Chelsea, MA. Leaders of the New England Produce Council hosting the meeting included council president, Bob McGowan, Advantage Sales and Marketing/ESM; council first vice president Paul Kneeland, Roche Bros. Supermarkets; council executive committee member, Jack Salamon, Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc.; and executive director, Laura Sullivan.
Also present was industry activist Manny Costa, president of ID Top 50 distributorship Costa Fruit & Produce, Boston, a member of the ID Editorial Advisory Board, founder of Pro*Act, and a past member of the PMA's board of directors.
"This visit is another way that PMA reaches out to members and brings them together to learn from one another," said Silbermann. "We are very proud of our close relationship with the New England Produce Council and I believe it shows how well we combine forces to deliver a valuable experience."
Silbermann also visited Costa's facility during the tour.
In early June, Erickson and Steve Junqueiro, PMA chairman of the executive committee, were in Sydney, Australia to present their respective viewpoints during a sold-out PMA seminar examining trends in the retail and foodservice sectors. While there they also toured the Sydney Wholesale Market and visited with some of the dozens of PMA members in Australia.
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