Golden Gate Wholesale Produce Market To Launch $8 Million Renovation

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Golden Gate Wholesale Produce Market, the largest and busiest produce terminal in Northern California, today announced a major plan to renovate the facility by making a series of infrastructure, environmental, food safety, traffic and sustainability improvements.

The state-of-the-art enhancements to be made over the next year include new solar/energy efficiency upgrades, cold chain food storage management and worker safety systems, as well as smoother traffic flow within the facility, which is a mile from San Francisco International Airport on Highway 101.

"The Golden Gate Produce Market plays a vital role in Northern California's economy, and the improvements announced today will lay the foundation for the Market's future growth and success," said Peter Carcione, President of the Golden Gate Produce Market. "This investment in the Market expands our capability to bring the highest-quality fruits, vegetables, and organics to serve the diverse tastes of the region, and it builds on our long history of supporting California's agriculture industry in a sustainable manner."

The 742,000-square foot facility in South San Francisco currently employs 475 workers and is open to the public. Twenty-three independent and family-owned businesses operate at the Market, including wholesalers, jobbers, commission merchants, brokers, foodservice distributors, processors and one restaurant. More than 15 million packages move through the Market each year.

The enhancements were made after extensive market research and feedback from customers and businesses at the market. To advance the Market's long-term goals and its commitment to sustainability, the seven-member board approved the following:

• The installation of solar panels to be completed before the end of 2016 that will dramatically reduce the Market's need to draw energy from the power grid
• A new recycling/composting partnership with South San Francisco Scavenger to further reduce waste
• Upgraded electrical, water and sewage systems
• Improved traffic flow within the facility
• A number of worker safety upgrades, including better lighting and loading dock safeguards
• Improved cold chain storage management to ensure quality, freshness and food safety
• A makeover of the building's exterior, including new signage and expanded parking

The solar implementation is expected to have a significant positive environmental impact and reduce the market's overall carbon footprint. The market's new 1,322 kW solar installation is expected to generate more than 2,015,648 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.

The use of a similar amount of conventional energy generated using fossil fuels would create greenhouse gases equal to that of 127 homes, 293 cars or the burning of 1.4 million pounds of coal annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"This renovation is the most extensive in the Market's 53-year history and is designed to meet the changing needs of businesses located at the market and their customers who shop there," said board member Steve Hurwitz. "By strengthening the Market's infrastructure and advancing its commitment to sustainability, we will create a better experience for everyone who works at or visits the Market."

About The Golden Gate Produce Market
The Golden Gate Produce Market is the largest and busiest produce terminal in Northern California. Based in South San Francisco a mile from San Francisco International Airport, the Market provides the highest-quality fruits, vegetables and organics to 15 million people in Northern California. Open to the public, The Market specializes in providing product to a wide range of demographics, including Caucasian, Asian, Latino, India and Middle Eastern consumers. For information visit, www.goldengateproduceterminal.com or call, 650.583-4886.

Media Contact

Steve Hurwitz, CEO & Founder
Bay Area Herbs & Specialties
415.246.9000
[email protected]

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SOURCE Golden Gate Produce Market

Related Links

http://www.goldengateproduceterminal.com