Initial Facilities for a Regional Wholesale Food Distribution Center at New Orleans

Excerpts from the report: This study of wholesale food marketing facilities in the New Orleans metropolitan area was undertaken at the request of the mayor of New Orleans, the French Market Corporation, the city of New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, interested trade groups, and responsible civic agencies. The request was activated by the extensive renovation program for the French Market area located adjacent to the French Quarter in New Orleans. These additions and alterations will necessitate the relocation of a large concentration of wholesale food firms. Thus, recognizing the need for adequate wholesale food distribution facilities for the New Orleans metropolitan area, responsible agencies requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make a comprehensive study of selected firms that could be affected by several renewal and construction programs in the metropolitan area. This study was concerned with wholesale facilities of firms handling fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products, poultry and eggs, dairy products (fluid milk), groceries, frozen foods, and fish and shellfish. The study had the following objectives: • To analyze the present wholesale food marketing system in the New Orleans area and to ascertain the adequacy of selected food firms as to present, and future requirements. • To estimate the major measurable costs of handling food through the facilities of firms that would require new or relocated operations. • To determine the amount of facilities and land required to provide for the initial development of a regional wholesale food distribution center, the cost of construction, probable operating expenses, and the source of income in the proposed facilities. • To outline the costs and benefits that might result from constructing the initial facilities for such a food center.