To mark the golden anniversary, the produce market will offer free admission to its customers during the week of October 19 - 23, 2009. In addition, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 a.m., a continental brunch will be served under a huge 30' x 60' tent. Joseph Poon, famous produce carver, will give lively demonstrations on Tuesday, 10/20, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Poon has appeared on Jay Leno and The Ellen Show.

When the PRPM opened its doors in 1959, a new era in produce marketing began. Dozens of competitive produce wholesalers united under the same roof to give the customer the finest in selection, price, convenience, and quality. Reflecting on the occasion, the merchants recall the many great years they've spent on S. Galloway Street. "We're nostalgic and honor our past," says Sonny DiCrecchio, Executive Director, "but we've outgrown our facilities and look forward to moving to a brand new market in the fall of 2010."

The new market, located at 6700 Essington Avenue, will boast 667,000 square feet - nearly doubling the space of the current market. "It will be a model for terminal markets around the world," says DiCrecchio. With a location that is convenient to air, truck, boat and rail, it will be set up as an indoor "mall style" market, fully refrigerated, ensuring that the cold chain will never be broken.

The produce market is a huge part of Philadelphia's past, present, and future. Begun centuries ago on historic Dock Street, the market now employs 1,500 people and is expected to create 375 more jobs once the new market opens next fall. No other source can match the healthy selection of year-round produce supplied to the Philadelphia region. The PRPM contributes more than 3 million pounds of food per year to various schools, food pantries, shelters, and non-profits, including Philabundance, the region's largest hunger relief organization.

We invite the media to celebrate the rich history of the Market's 50 years on Galloway Street and the anticipation of our move to Essington Avenue. "This new facility enables us to raise the bar and compete on a global scale," says DiCrecchio. "We believe we are laying the groundwork for a healthy and thriving Philadelphia for generations to come."

PIDC is happy to have the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market as a tenant in its building in the Food Distribution Center since 1959.

The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, a private, not-for-profit corporation, was created in 1958 by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Commerce Department of the City of Philadelphia to promote economic development and job creation throughout the City.  PIDC provides financing programs and real estate products to business and developer client groups in all neighborhoods of Philadelphia and is managing the redevelopment of The Navy Yard.

For further information on PIDC, contact Peter S. Longstreth, President, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, 2600 Centre Square West, 1500 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19102-2126, phone (215) 496-8181.