Excerpts from the report Introduction: The Miami and Tampa - St . Petersburg produce markets are the main source of fresh fruits and vegetables for 3.5 million people from Key West 400 miles north to Orlando. The area population swells in the winter. This report describes the organization and operation of these markets, including the buying, selling, and operating practices of the wholesalers and chains in the markets, and the changes that have taken place during the past 20 years. The information on which the report is based was obtained as part of a nationwide study of the organization and operation of wholesale produce markets. The purpose of the study was to describe and appraise the current status of wholesale markets and the changes which have taken place in them. The findings should give firms in wholesale and shipping-point markets, farmers, interested citizens, and public agencies a better understanding of the forces at work in the marketing system for fresh fruits and vegetables, and provide a basis for making better decisions in adjusting to the changes taking place throughout the structure of marketing.