PHILADELPHIA, PA - With food waste among the leading concerns for the fresh produce industry, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market was proud to accept an award from the USDA acknowledging steps to aid in this initiative.

The wholesaler was awarded in the USDA’s Terminal Market U.S. Food Waste Challenge, which General Manager, Dan Kane, Marketing Coordinator, Christine Hofmann, accepted on Monday, Nov. 14, in Washington DC.

“We are honored to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for our efforts to reduce waste,” said Sonny DiCrecchio, President & CEO of PWPM, in a press release. “We are most proud of our donations to hunger-relief organizations throughout Philadelphia.”

DiCrecchio continued, “We are fully committed to increasing our numbers next year. We’re always reviewing our methods on how to reduce our footprint on the environment and donate wholesome produce to people in need.”

The USDA’s challenge ran from March 29-June 30, 2016, and was based on the number of businesses that participated.

According to the company, the National Association of Produce Market Managers supported the Food Waste Challenge by encouraging members to divert fruit and vegetables from the waste stream by either donating the produce or recycling it.

Congratulations to PWPM on the award and in making such moves to trim fruit and vegetable waste.

Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market