As the Michigan produce season gets underway, Riggio Distribution Co. is preparing for another busy year supplying locally grown fruits and vegetables throughout the Midwest and beyond, while continuing to emphasize the relationships that have helped define the company for generations.

Based in Detroit, Riggio Distribution has built a strong reputation as a produce wholesaler and distributor with deep ties to Michigan growers and customers. The company works closely with local farms throughout the season while also balancing year-round sourcing programs to meet customer needs.

“Michigan and locally grown produce are very important this time of year,” said Dominic Riggio, president of Riggio Distribution Co. “Asparagus is one of the first crops as we move into the summer and full vegetable season.”

The Michigan season brings a wide variety of commodities that are critical to the company’s business, including blueberries, melons and apples later in the year.

“Blueberries and melons become especially important during the summer months,” Riggio said. “Then late summer and fall bring a very large Michigan apple crop that sells well into the following year.”

Like many in the produce industry, Riggio Distribution has had to navigate challenging weather conditions during the early part of 2026.

“In our industry weather is always a factor, and 2026 has been no different,” Riggio said. “We’ve experienced a cold and wet spring, which obviously delays some crops.”

Despite those delays, the company remains optimistic about the overall Michigan season and the strength of local demand. After all, as transportation costs continue rising across the country, locally grown product is becoming even more valuable for both wholesalers and retailers.

“As refrigerated transportation becomes more challenging and costly, locally grown product becomes more attractive because it helps control costs and maximize freshness,” Riggio said.

That proximity advantage has long been one of Michigan’s biggest strengths, particularly for customers throughout the Midwest and East Coast looking for fresher product with shorter transit times.

The company also believes strong relationships throughout the supply chain remain critical to long-term success.

“At Riggio Distribution, our relationships are everything,” Riggio said. “That includes growers, suppliers, transportation partners, employees and customers.”

Those relationships help the company maintain service and efficiency in an increasingly complicated logistics environment.

As a wholesaler, Riggio noted the company must constantly balance the needs of both customers and suppliers.

“We manage two roles,” Riggio said. “We’re an extension of our customers’ buying teams, while at the same time serving as a conduit for our suppliers and their sales and marketing efforts.”

That balancing act becomes especially important during the Michigan season, when local growers depend on distributors to help move product quickly and efficiently.

“The key is striking a balance between our 12-month suppliers and our seasonal local suppliers so we can meet our customers’ needs,” Riggio said.

Inflation and fluctuating pricing continue creating challenges throughout the industry, though Riggio views many of those pressures as part of the normal produce cycle.

“We’re seeing the normal ebb and flow of pricing based on supply and demand,” Riggio said. “At the same time, some inflationary pressures have kept prices higher.”

Even with those challenges, locally grown produce continues seeing strong support from retailers, wholesalers and foodservice operators looking to promote freshness and regional sourcing.

The company’s decades of experience in wholesale distribution, combined with its strong grower network and transportation relationships, have helped position it as a trusted partner throughout the Michigan produce industry.

Looking ahead, Riggio sees continued opportunities for growth as local sourcing, freshness and transportation efficiency become increasingly important factors across the produce supply chain.

“Locally grown product is only becoming more important,” Riggio said. “Customers want freshness, reliability and value, and Michigan growers are in a strong position to provide that.”