Produce Row in St. Louis: A Historic Hub Feeding the Midwest and a Community in Need of Renewal
ST. LOUIS, MO (StLouisRestaurantReview) Tucked away near the banks of the Mississippi River lies one of St. Louis’s most important — and often overlooked — economic engines: Produce Row. Officially known as the St. Louis Produce Market, this centralized corridor has been the lifeblood of fresh food distribution across the region for more than 70 years. With early morning activity, legacy businesses, and a web of logistics that reaches across the Midwest, Produce Row is responsible for feeding millions. But behind its vital role in the food supply chain lies a layered history — one shaped by generational families, periods of corruption, and today, an urgent need for revitalization and civic support.
The Origins of Produce Row
Built in the mid-20th century to bring efficiency to the region’s growing food economy, Produce Row was established on the city’s north side to leverage St. Louis’s logistical advantages. It was strategically located near railways, highways, and the Mississippi River, making it a natural gateway for incoming shipments of fruits and vegetables from across the country — and beyond.
Today, the facility at 1 Produce Row spans over 30 acres, with two massive buildings housing nearly 100 warehouse units. These refrigerated bays receive produce from nearly every U.S. state and over 70 international markets. From bananas and avocados to greens and root vegetables, if it’s fresh and perishable, there’s a good chance it passes through this critical corridor.
Key Businesses on Produce Row
Over the decades, Produce Row has been the launchpad for some of the most respected names in the produce industry.
United Fruit and Produce, a fourth-generation family business, is one of the largest distributors operating in the area. Known for its reliable logistics and broad inventory of fresh and organic products, United Fruit serves a wide range of clients from local restaurants to regional supermarket chains.
Midstate Produce Co., founded in 1909, is another legacy business rooted in the tradition of quality and service. With deep ties to the local restaurant and grocery industries, Midstate provides produce, dairy, and specialty goods across the region.
Equally historic is Sherman Produce Co., which has operated since 1916. Family-owned for over a century, Sherman Produce has built a reputation for dependable service, fresh quality, and long-standing customer relationships. The company supplies various products to restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, and food retailers. Their longevity and evolution reflect the enduring relevance of Produce Row, even as the industry becomes more high-tech and fast-paced.
Sunfarm Foodservice, established in 1991, rounds out the list of key players. Known for sourcing exotic and specialty items, Sunfarm is also notable for its philanthropic efforts, including donations of fresh produce to food banks and community organizations.
These companies and dozens of other vendors make Produce Row a true powerhouse of produce logistics in the central U.S.
Feeding a 350-Mile Radius
Produce Row’s significance isn’t limited to city boundaries. It provides a steady stream of fresh fruits and vegetables to a 350-mile radius, including Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Kansas, and Iowa. Grocers, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and catering businesses depend on the daily flow of products managed here. In effect, Produce Row feeds over 4.5 million people across the heartland.
Community Giving and Food Security
Beyond commerce, Produce Row also helps fight hunger. Companies like Sunfarm Foodservice collaborate with the St. Louis Area Foodbank to donate surplus produce. These contributions help feed underserved families while also reducing food waste. In one year alone, Sunfarm donated over 35,000 pounds of produce—food that would otherwise have been discarded.
A Murky Chapter: Mafia Influence in the Past
While today’s market operates with professionalism and oversight, Produce Row wasn’t always so transparent. In the mid-to-late 20th century, law enforcement and journalists alleged that organized crime had a foothold in the region’s wholesale and distribution markets, including produce.
The St. Louis mafia, also known as the Giordano crime family, reportedly engaged in schemes involving trucking companies, labor unions, and business extortion. Produce markets across the country — including New York’s Hunts Point and Chicago’s South Water Market — were similarly infiltrated due to their cash-heavy operations and minimal oversight at the time.
Though never officially proven to control Produce Row, mafia influence was suspected in everything from contract manipulation to “protection” rackets. As federal RICO prosecutions dismantled many mafia operations nationwide, these criminal elements faded. Today, with digitized operations, traceable transactions, and food safety audits, Produce Row functions in a vastly different — and far more secure — environment.
Revitalization and Security: A Call for Civic Support
Despite its importance to the region’s food supply, Produce Row and its surrounding neighborhood have suffered from neglect. Infrastructure is aging, and streets are plagued by potholes, poor lighting, and limited city services. Crime has become an increasing concern for employees, delivery drivers, and early-morning workers, some of whom report hearing gunfire in the vicinity.
Local leaders must take action if St. Louis wants to preserve and grow this valuable economic asset. That means boosting security and police presence, upgrading roads and lighting, and investing in urban revitalization. Introducing mixed-use development or incentivizing nearby commercial investment could help re-integrate Produce Row into a broader vision for a safer, more vibrant North St. Louis. A secure and revitalized Produce Row would benefit local businesses and uplift struggling surrounding neighborhoods.
Modern Operations Meet Tradition
Despite the challenges, Produce Row remains a pillar of the regional economy. Many businesses here blend time-honored customer service with modern logistics. Operators are embracing data tracking, GPS routing, cold chain management, and sustainable packaging while maintaining the close-knit relationships that define the industry.
The early morning energy of forklifts buzzing and crates unloading is still alive. But now, it’s coupled with software dashboards, digital inventory control, and advanced food safety systems, ensuring Produce Row keeps up with both demand and regulation.
Conclusion: A Historic Market with a Vital Future
Produce Row is more than a collection of warehouses — it’s a dynamic ecosystem that feeds people, employs hundreds, and supports countless businesses across the Midwest. The market continues to evolve from century-old family firms like Sherman Produce to modern logistics operations.
However, for it to thrive into the next century, it needs help. Civic investment, improved security, and neighborhood revitalization must be prioritized. With focused leadership and public-private cooperation, Produce Row can be restored to its full glory as a supply chain powerhouse and as a model of economic renewal for St. Louis.
