Public markets bring people together under a common roof, where food, festivities, crafts and community mingle and mix. Madison Public Market Plan has been in the works for years, but the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia thrives now.

I recently had the opportunity to check out all that the Reading Terminal Market had to offer, and I’m a believer that Madison could benefit from a similar set up.

The market’s massive interior encompasses over 75 small, independent businesses. Fresh produce has always been part of the market’s history, which spans well over a century. Farmers still sell local produce there today.

The selection of one particular stall, Jovine’s Produce, would impress any foodie. In addition to looming towers of kale and collard greens, the stalls stock everything from simple onions to exotic yucca. Peppers in every color, size and spiciness filled racks alongside cabbage, carrots, and corn. Fruit that looked like it belonged on the set of a science fiction film rested near more familiar honeycrisp apples.

But the produce is just the beginning. There are restaurants, soap and herb shops, craft vendors, delis and oyster bars. Fresh meat and seafood in glass cases line the aisles where customers stroll, chat and laugh.

If the Dane County Farmers Market is whole milk, the Reading Terminal Market is Fruity Pebbles. I saw people of every age and ethnicity enjoying themselves at the market. Little old ladies sorted through bins of green beans next to college-aged hipsters in thick black glasses. I heard at least five different languages weaving seamlessly with the clinking of butcher knives and the happy hum of lunch conversation. People were moving, but no one seemed rushed, and children tucked themselves against the display cases, unfazed by the dead sea bass staring blankly at their backs.

There was something for everyone there, at any income level. Even organic produce was reasonably priced. I took a big bunch of kale back to our hotel for less than $2. But the restaurant selection offered hot, tasty and immediate gratification.

Have you ever been so hungry you couldn’t decide what to eat? You could die of starvation inside the Reading Terminal Market, by the overwhelming multitude of choices. Steaming hot pork roast, falafel, lobster, samosas, chickpea curry, burgers, burritos, classic cheese steaks and so much more are options within steps of one another.

Do you have an insatiable sweet tooth? Try a freshly hand-piped cannoli filled with sweetened whipped cream. Candy from chocolate truffles to gummy pumpkins can be purchased in bulk. One vendor only sells freshly baked cookies, in a dozen mouth-watering varieties.

Despite thoughts of hiding in the ceiling and subsisting forever on hand-pies and marzipan fruit, I eventually returned to Madison. In the near future, we could be seeing something similar to the Reading Terminal Market in our own backyard.

Plans for a Madison Public Market have been in the works for years and a location is currently being decided. Expect future articles exploring this topic, and until then, sweet life.