The Organization of Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets in Detroit, Albany-Schenectady-Troy, and West Virginia

Excerpts from the report Introduction: The Detroit wholesale produce market is the sixth largest in the Nation, supplying over 4 million people with fresh fruits and vegetables. The Albany-Schenectady-Troy market is a medium-sized market, serving over 700,000 people. The Charleston, Huntington, and Wheeling markets in West Virginia supply from 200,000 to 300,000 people each. The other markets in West Virginia are all relatively small. 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 quarter century. The information on which the report is based was obtained as part of a nationwide study of the organization and operations 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.