Riggio Distribution Co. enjoying robust 2022

As an anchor tenant at the Detroit Produce Terminal, Riggio Distribution Co. has long been one of the largest produce wholesalers servicing the Midwest.

“Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit has been home to our family and our team for many years,” said the company’s Dominic Riggio. “Our family is third-generation produce wholesalers with relationships in the business going back decades. Detroit is a very strong produce town known for quality and competitive pricing.”

Riggio Distribution Co. deals in all aspects of the produce industry, offering a full selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are shipped seven days a week to retail and foodservice customers. Riggio Distribution Co. sources product from all over the world by air, boat, truck, and train, and takes pride in sourcing locally grown product as much as possible when available.

“Our customers consist of independent retailers, independent wholesalers and foodservice suppliers, corporate retailers, broadline distributors, as well food manufacturers — we basically have every type of customer that uses or sells produce,” Riggio said.

Last year, the company achieved its strongest year yet, and things in 2022 are looking just as positive. “2022 has been off to a good start. In some ways very similar to 2021, and in other ways very different, but overall a good first half of the year,” Riggio said. “Most of our growth comes organically in the sense that we like to stay nimble enough to capitalize on opportunities as they come up. We always have coals in the fire that we are working on, but we like to be in position to react to the opportunities that we don’t see coming as well.”

Sometimes those opportunities come from the supply side and other times the opportunities come on the selling side. In the end they are all tied together, and the company knows how to make the most of what’s presented to it.
Of course, the produce industry is dealing with a lot of challenges in 2022, and Riggio Distribution Co. is not immune.

“There is no one way we are dealing with challenges other than to say we are being creative each and every day to deal with the challenges each day presents,” Riggio said. “As wholesalers of perishable product, we are very familiar with challenges, and it is in our DNA to solve problems, come up with solutions, and work through the daily challenges.”

One of those ways is by having a great team, and it’s continuing to add to its staff of knowledgeable and devoted employees. “What makes RDC special is our people,” Riggio said. “We have a great team of experienced produce veterans. Our multi-generational team gives us great versatility in servicing our customers. We have some new additions to our sales and buying team that bring new opportunities, experience, and background to our company.”