The Market

Riverwards Produce provides unique quality ingredients to creative chefs and neighbors alike.  We focus on sourcing local ingredients and "ugly" produce that may not make it to big box supermarkets.  Being located in Philadelphia, we have an abundant amount of local produce available to us between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.   We make sure the neighborhood gets to experience that abundance as much as possible. 

So what can you expect from us? Here are just some of the highlights!

• local and organic produce [of course!]

• a bulk section full of nuts and grains

• locally raised meat and eggs

• bread from local bakeries such as Lost Bread and Merzbachers

• cheeses from local cheese makers like Valley Milkhouse

• vegan options from leading and up and coming brands.

• flowers from local farms like Terra Luna Florals

Food waste is definitely something we are aware of and aim to minimize within our operations.  The market offers a dollar bag section for produce that may only have a few days of shelf life left.  This allows produce to be accessible at a variety of price points.  The market also participates in a composting program with Bennett Compost.  Any produce or flowers that spoil are collected into buckets throughout the day to be tossed in our large compost bin outside. 

Everything you find in our market has been thoughtfully sourced by Vincent, the owner, and his team.  The quality of the ingredients, the origin, and even the packaging are all considered before putting them on our shelves.  We are constantly growing and expanding our offerings and we hope you will continue to grow with us

OUR ROOTS

In the summer of 2016, Riverwards Produce launched a pop-up shop in an old Fishtown garage to gauge neighborhood demand for a fresh produce market. The response was overwhelming! Lines regularly stretched out the door and people went out of their way to tell us how happy they were to have access to a fresh alternative to groceries, delis, and packaged goods stores. We were committed to finding Riverwards a permanent home in the area as soon as possible.  In the meantime, we were busy working on the wholesale side of the business. Over the past two years, we have secured a loyal customer base selling produce to neighborhood restaurants. We source directly from area farmers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to ensure the quality and freshness of our produce is second to none. With an established wholesale business, we are able to supplement the retail side of the business with fresher and cheaper products than other stores.

After a long search, The Riverwards Produce Market found a new home in one of Philadelphia’s first fire houses. The corner space is rich in history and architectural detail and is a natural fit for a neighborhood market founded on community outreach, enrichment, and support. We strive to showcase those values in everything we do, including our focus on helping people create good, nourishing, complete meals with the ingredients they find in our market.

By combining wholesale and retail operations , we create multiple exit strategies for our products, and can therefor reduce storage requirements and in-house waste to practically zero. We are partnering with local food banks, composting facilities, and recyclers to ensure the food we can’t use or save doesn’t go to waste.

Vincent Finazzo

founder + owner

Whether I was working with my grandfather in one of his gardens, helping my grandmother can tomatoes or making pickles with my mom, garden fresh produce has always been a very important part of my life. In the summer, it seemed like I could never leave the house without my grandmother packing bags of produce from our garden to bring to friends and family. It took twenty years to realize, but I was already delivering produce by age 10. My mother always taught me the importance of good food and a healthy diet, and introduced me to different cuisines from all around the world. We learned together what other people ate, how they cooked it, and the benefits of a diet that wasn’t typically American. Food and cooking have shaped me and opened my eyes to how important they are to a balanced life style. While pursuing a degree in the Arts, I found myself working with and around food. After working with Wholefoods Market and later with a national produce broker, I decided to go out on my own. 

PRESS