PHILADELPHIA – The Reading Terminal Market Corporation, the non-profit steward of Philadelphia’s historic public Market, released its new five-year strategic plan, Feeding Philadelphia’s Heart and Soul. Centered on growth and sustainability, the plan outlines four key pillars that will guide the Market’s decision-making as it celebrates its rich history, maximizes its present impact, and plans its future vision.
The Market’s four pillars of focus within the strategic plan are:
- Bringing fresh food within reach
- Creating economic opportunity
- Preserving history and tradition
- Serving as a welcoming public space
Key initiatives slated to be developed as the plan is executed include:
- Launching a volunteer program
- Day carts
- Offering short-term leasing opportunities
- Activating outdoor space on Filbert St.
- Expanding subsidized nutrition access
- Attracting more growers and producers
- Investing in the next generation through educational programming
- Defining and funding a five-year capital plan
“This strategic plan is the result of months of collaborative feedback, diverse opinion sharing, and thoughtful work that prioritizes the Market as a public space with a public purpose now and well into the future. I’m proud of the vision our team of staff, merchants, and community members has put forth. Now, we need the public to invest in us as deeply as we are investing in ourselves,” said Annie Allman, CEO and General Manager, Reading Terminal Market Corporation. “Together, we can make sure the Market continues to feed Philadelphia’s heart and soul year after year, meal after meal, and generation after generation.”
Feeding Philadelphia’s Heart and Soul encapsulates the story of a beloved landmark through dynamic visuals, testimonials from Governor Josh Shapiro, Mayor Cherelle Parker, Market merchants, and longtime customers. It provides a look back at the building’s rich history and a look ahead at exciting goals, objectives, and tactics that will shape the Market’s future.
The plan details how Philadelphia’s historic public market aims to harness the power of food to break down barriers, drive economic vitality throughout the region, and activate the market district in the heart of the city.
Over the next five years, the Reading Terminal Market Corporation will:
- Grow its actively engaged and fiercely loyal customer base dedicated to shopping regularly and finding inspiration in the Market’s authentic and diverse offerings.
- Create robust community partnerships that extend the Market’s presence and influence beyond its four walls to invite support and investment in the Market so the Market can, in turn, help build a stronger community.
- Foster a well-preserved and maintained physical space and thriving Market community that is united and invested in its mission, purpose, and values.
The full strategic plan can be accessed at https://readingterminalmarket.org/strategic-plan/.
About Reading Terminal Market
One of America’s largest and oldest public markets, the Reading Terminal Market serves as a public trust providing a venue for independent local businesses to showcase the Philadelphia region’s culinary bounty and cultural diversity. Housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building, the Market offers an incredible selection of farm fresh produce, meats and poultry, plus the finest seafood, cheeses, baked goods, confections, flowers, jewelry and crafts. The Market is managed by a not-for-profit as a tenant of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, which has owned the historic Reading Terminal since 1990. In 2014, the American Planning Association named Reading Terminal Market as one of the 10 Great Public Spaces in America and in 2021 and 2022 the Market was voted Best Public Market by USA Today’s 10Best.