About M. Levin & Co.
M. Levin and Company, Inc. is a full-line wholesale produce distribution company based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, we are family owned and operated and have been since inception. The Company is currently being run by its third and fourth generation family members. We are best known as one of the largest banana ripeners and distributors on the East Coast. We are also well-known for our extensive line of tropical items, carrying one of the largest selections in the tri-state area. Aside from bananas and tropical items, M. Levin carries a full-line of fresh fruits and vegetables that boast the variety and quality that M. Levin has built its foundation upon. M. Levin owns six units inside the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market.
Our Story
In 1906 the late Michael Levin began selling bananas off of the back of a horse drawn wagon along the cobblestoned streets of what is now Society Hill, Philadelphia. He began his business by extending credit to those whom he felt were “trustworthy”. By 1912, his reputation, ability and integrity had grown so that the Atlantic Fruit Company turned over to him its largest jobbing house on Dock Street. By the mid-1920s, Michael and his brothers had developed into the largest banana business in the eastern part of the United States.
The company during the Great Depression found itself deep in debt from extending credit to those whom could not pay their bills. After the Depression, Michael along with his four sons began to rebuild the business. They began rebuilding by importing fruit into Florida from Cuba and Haiti. Michael and his son, Leon, set up shop in Miami and began sending bananas by boxcar back up to Philadelphia. Once there, Michael’s other three sons, Martin, Albert and Ralph, would ripen and distribute the bananas.
In the mid-1950s, the original Philadelphia Produce Marked located on Dock Street decided to move from its Dock Street location to a new facility on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia. M. Levin & Company, Inc. became a part of the Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal Market and also built a 200,000 square foot warehouse headquarters where they did their banana ripening, directly across the street from the market. In the 1960s and 1970s the current third generation of Levins entered the business, Mark Levin, Michael Levin, David Levin and Joel Segel. This third generation divided up the responsibilities that were once their grandfathers’, fathers’ and uncles’.
Fast forward to today and the third generation has their daughters diligently working in the family business. The fourth generation is comprised of all women, something we are truly excited about! The third generation is actively involved in the business and is imparting their words of wisdom to their daughters for how to run a successful produce business. Michael and Joel’s daughters, Margie and Brenda, have been working in the business since the 90s. Margie works in the company’s foodservice division and Brenda works in inventory control. Mark’s daughter, Tracie, joined the company in 2006 after graduating from the University of Delaware and is involved in new business development and operations management. Tracie has been actively involved in both United Fresh and PMA’s Leadership Development programs since she began with the company. M. Levin realizes the importance in widening the scope of the fourth generation in order for them to truly understand the produce industry. These women are working together to update the business to today’s standards, knowing that in today’s world women are integral parts of the business world.
With the constantly evolving food-safety concerns in today’s produce world the Company sees this as a top priority. M. Levin actively partakes in third-party food safety audits and are certified as an organic facility by CCOF (up-to-date certificates can be found on the bottom of this site) . As a group they see this as something that will set them apart from others who are slower to adapt in this fast-changing industry. The fourth generation is also more adept than their former generations when it comes to technology. This generation also sees the value in social media. They have also created a Facebook page (M. Levin & Company Inc.), allowing for others in the industry to stay in touch and see what is new and exciting within the company!
L-R: Michael Levin, David Levin, Mark Levin and Joel Segel.
L-R: Sarah D’Amario, Margie Fischman, Brenda Segel and Tracie Levin.
In June of 2010 M. Levin made the move from the antiquated terminal market to the state-of-the-art Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market on Essington Avenue in SW Philadelphia (the building is touted as, “the world’s largest refrigerator”). M. Levin currently occupies six units in the market. Within the new market, M. Levin has built 14 state-of-the-art ripening rooms which have allowed them to further expand their ripening capabilities. Today M. Levin & Company, Inc. is still recognized as one of the largest jobbers/wholesalers of bananas on the North American continent. M. Levin & Company, Inc. grew from a banana company into one that today carries a full-line of domestic and imported fruits and vegetables, including an impressive list of tropical items. M. Levin also handles a variety of juices, tropical drinks, peanuts, seasonal items, value-added produce items and an assortment of paper products to complement retail produce departments. M. Levin also has delivery capabilities to ship items as far north as Canada, as far west as Chicago, and as far south as Virginia. This year M. Levin & Company, Inc. celebrates its 117th year of being in operation and would like to thank their loyal suppliers and customers for all they have done throughout the years to keep M. Levin one of the top wholesalers in the region!
The Third Generation
David Levin – David leads M. Levin’s Banana Program. He is involved with the daily ripening, sales and distribution. David is the grandson of Michael Levin (founder) and the son of Martin Levin (second generation). David joined M. Levin in 1976.
Mark Levin – Mark is the CEO and is involved in everyday management as well as the buying and selling of melons, grapes, tree-fruit and berries amongst other items. Mark is the grandson of Michael Levin (founder), the son of Leon Levin (second generation) and the father of Tracie Levin. Mark joined M. Levin directly after graduating from college.
Michael Levin – Michael is the company’s President. Michael handles the company’s day-in and day-out finances and matters of legality. Michael is the grandson of the late Michael Levin (founder), the son of Martin Levin (second generation), and the father of Margie Fischman. Michael joined M. Levin after first practicing law.
Joel Segel – Joel is the potato, onion, apple and citrus buyer and salesman. Joel brings in rail cars of potatoes and onions daily. Joel is the grandson of Michael Levin (founder), the son of Florence Segel (nee Levin), and the father of Brenda Segel. Joel joined M. Levin after his days at Penn State/
The Fourth Generation
Margie Fischman – Margie is involved with M. Levin’s Tropical Division. Margie is the great-granddaughter of Michael Levin (founder), the granddaughter of Martin Levin (third generation), and the daughter of Michael Levin. Margie joined the family business after first teaching in the Philadelphia School District.
Tracie Levin – Tracie is involved with M. Levin’s new business development and is involved with overseeing the daily operations of the company. She has been involved with both United Fresh and PMA’s emerging leaders programs. Tracie is the great granddaughter of Michael Levin (founder), the granddaughter of Leon Levin (third generation), and the daughter of Mark Levin. She joined M. Levin in 2006 after graduating from the University of Delaware.
Brenda Segel – Brenda works in M. Levin’s inventory control. Brenda is the great granddaughter of Michael Levin, the granddaughter of Florence Segel, and the daughter of Joel Segel.
Meet the Sales Team
Joe Armata
Sales
Joe has been with the Company for 34 years and can be found on the sales floor between 2 and 3 AM. He sells Bananas, Pineapples, Berries, Cherries, Melons and Avocados. Outside of work he can be found bartending and watching college sports. His favorite movie is G.I. Jane and his favorite produce item is: Eggplant.
Margie Fischman
Tropical Sales
Margie has been with the Company for 26 years and she is involved in our Tropical division. She buys and sells our line of tropical drinks as well as other specialty tropical items. Her favorite part about working in the produce industry is learning about new items. Outside of work she enjoys taking road trips with her husband and her dog Penny. She loves her hometown baseball team: the Philadelphia Phillies! Her favorite produce item: Cherries.
Brian Kriebel
Tropical Sales
Brian has been with M. Levin for 38 years. You can find him on the sales floor at 3 AM where he buys and sells tropical items. His favorite part of working in the produce industry is the technology and the customers. Outside of work he can be found fishing, watching his favorite movie The Godfather, and rooting on his favorite home-town Hockey team, the Philadelphia Flyers! His favorite fruit is: Oranges.
David Levin
Banana Ripening
David buys the Bananas, ripens and sets the market for sales.
Mark Levin
CEO
Mark has been in the business 46 years full-time and in reality, all his life. He is the CEO as well as a fruit and vegetable buyer and salesman. He buys the Grapes, Stone Fruit, Vegetables, Melons, Berries and Citrus. He enjoys the challenge of keeping fresh produce fresh by rapid turnover. The biggest change he’s seen here since beginning his career is the technology, first was pencil and paper, then fax and now email and text. The biggest challenge is being in a family business for 111 years! He says that work is his hobby. His favorite sports team is the Philadelphia Eagles and his favorite produce item is: Bananas!
Ryan Miller
Sales
Ryan joined the team in January of 2017 after leaving behind a career in the finance industry. He can be found on the sales floor between 2 and 3 AM on a regular basis. He sells Western Vegetables, Grapes, Citrus, Apples and Stone Fruit. He loves interacting with the customers and the challenges that come along with making sales. Outside of work he can be found spending time with his family, running, cycling, going to the beach, surfing and snowboarding. His favorite movie is Zero Dark Thirty and he loves eating pizza. His favorite fruit, it’s a tie: Bananas and Avocados.
Joel Segel
Carlots
Joel buys and sells carlots of Potatoes and Onions as well as Apples and Citrus.
