The Golden Gate Produce Market, the largest and busiest produce terminal in Northern California, has announced today the completion of a major upgrade to its facility. The $8 million project included a series of infrastructure, energy, food safety, worker safety, and traffic facility improvements. Based in South San Francisco and opened in 1967, the Market provides high quality fruits, vegetables, and specialty produce to more than 15 million people in the region.
The enhancements include installation of solar panels, energy efficiency upgrades, improved cold chain food storage management, and worker safety systems, as well as smoother traffic flow within the facility.
The enhancements were made after extensive market research and feedback with customers and businesses operating at the market. This led to the Market’s seven-member board approving the following facility improvements:
- The installation of solar panels that will reduce the Market’s need to draw energy from the power grid
- Upgraded electronic, 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 complete makeover of the building’s exterior, including new signage, and expanded parking
The 742,000 square foot facility currently employs 475 workers. There are 23 independent and family-owned businesses operating at the Market, including wholesalers, jobbers, commission merchants, brokers, foodservice distributors, processors, and one restaurant.
To recognize the completion of the project, the Market and Vista Solar, the Bay Area firm that designed and managed the installation of the solar panels, will host a celebration with customers and employees on October 20. 2017. The event features remarks from U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier; San Mateo County Superior Dave Pine; South San Francisco Mayor Pradeep Gupta; and Market Board Member Steve Hurwitz, CEO and Founder of Bay Area Herbs.
“The improvements to the Golden Gate Produce Market set the stage for our continued success for decades to come,” said Peter Carcione, President of the Market ahead of the event. “These investments expand our capability to deliver the highest-quality fruits, vegetables and specialty produce to deliver to business and consumers across Northern California.” The Market specializes in providing product to a wide range of demographics, including Caucasian, Asian, Latino, India and Middle Eastern consumers.