“Freight rates are really high, and that’s affecting everything,” Collotti said. “Between that and the weather out west, it’s just made things tougher.” 

Despite those headwinds, the company is beginning to see signs that conditions could improve as seasonal products come into the market.

“I heard some of the local vegetables and fruits are starting to come in,” Collotti said. 

For Collotti & Sons, which serves a mix of local independent supermarkets and a smaller segment of foodservice customers, maintaining strong relationships remains the key to weathering difficult periods.

“It’s basically just local independent supermarkets and a little bit of foodservice,” Collotti said. 

That focus on core customers has been a guiding principle for the company, especially during slower cycles.

“You just have to keep your regular customers happy,” Collotti said. 

Operating out of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market for nearly two decades has provided a stable foundation for the business. The facility continues to play an important role in supporting daily operations and connecting the company with its customer base.

“We’ve been there for almost 17 years,” Collotti said. 

Beyond the logistics advantages, the Philadelphia market itself remains a strong environment for produce distribution, driven in part by the region’s vibrant food culture.

“It’s a lot of great restaurants, and it’s like a foodie town,” Collotti said. “It’s almost like a mini-New York, with a lot of good restaurants in the city and even in nearby New Jersey.” 

That concentration of restaurants and food-focused businesses within a relatively short distance helps sustain demand, even during periods of broader economic pressure.

“It just happened that we’re all within about an hour driving distance, so there’s a lot of good restaurants,” Collotti said. 

While the company has not introduced major changes recently, it continues to evaluate opportunities to expand its product mix based on customer needs.

“We’re always looking at bringing in different products when it makes sense,” Collotti said. 

Looking to the rest of 2026, Collotti expressed cautious optimism that conditions will stabilize as the season progresses and some cost pressures begin to ease.

“Probably the freight will come down a little bit, which will help,” he said. 

With a long history in Philadelphia, a loyal customer base and a steady approach to operations, the company continues to navigate the ups and downs of the produce industry while positioning itself for improved performance in the months ahead.