The Hunts Point Cooperative Market is a 24/7 wholesale food market located on 60 acres in the Hunts…read morePoint neighborhood in the Bronx. Hunts Point Produce is the largest food distribution center of its kind in the country. Hunts Point Food Distribution Center houses the Fulton Fish Market and a produce market. Hunts Point Market is the source for approximately 50 percent of the New York region's meat. More than 50 independent wholesale food businesses located at the Market supply food to over 22 million people in the New York metropolitan area. All of that being said, this week of Thanksgiving they had their busiest day of the year. This place is phenomenal. It's a great place for teachers to take their classes on a field trip. If you want to visit I suggest you contact their main office and speak to someone. It's definitely a learning experience!

The Hunts Point Produce Market is the largest of the three wholesale food markets at the Hunts…read morePoint Food Distribution Center, and claims to be the largest produce market in the world, supplying 60% of New York City's produce, and feeding 9% of the total U.S. population. While the Produce Market generally deals in wholesale operations, regular consumers may also enter the Market. So, is the Produce Market worth a visit? Not really, though in principle, more should. The Produce Market is basically four long open-air rows of vendor "stalls" lined with loading bays and temperature-controlled storage sections that look a lot like a Costco's walk-in refrigerated produce section. You're just looking at lots and lots of everyday organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables -- mundane sights, despite the market's bustle. My take-away impression of the Produce Market was that it felt antiquated, and in need of modernization. Although most New Yorkers focus very much on the end of the food chain, all New Yorkers should become more aware of the issues and challenges faced by the Produce Market. Unless you're very wealthy, it is likely that at least some of your produce passes through this Market. Entry pricing seems somewhat convoluted, requiring $3 per person and $2 per car (more for larger vehicles). A government-issued ID is required for entry into the Produce Market. The printed entry receipt is designed to contain your name and date-of-birth. I could not see any business purpose to disclosing such information on a receipt. Interestingly, the neighboring Fulton Fish Market admits people at a straight $7 per car (more for larger vehicles), and does not have ID requirements. Park your car anywhere parking is available, taking note of parking signs -- don't block spaces that trucks need to maneuver and dock; and enter the market from pretty much anywhere you can find an entrance. Customers are generally required to purchase full trays / crates. Pricing is pretty good, but if you're an ordinary consumer, you likely won't need that much of one kind of fruit / vegetable.