“Locally grown programs are a strong focus for our company,” Jack Collotti, president of Collotti & Sons, located on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market told The Produce News. “Our company has operated in Philadelphia for over 50 years, and during our history — in addition to our many other programs — we have always been committed to local produce. We support locally grown initiatives in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and other regions we source from that have programs in place.”

He added that with fuel costs as high as they are today everyone benefits by handling as much regional produce as possible.

By sourcing from surrounding states during their seasons, the company is able to provide the freshest possible produce with the least food miles and the low prices to its customers.

The company also carries a full line of western and eastern fruits and vegetables. And it carries all of the top brand names in the industry. It specializes in all categories of berries produced both domestically and offshore.

“We also support growers in Canada and in Mexico,” Collotti pointed out. “Our mission and goal is to always supply our customers with the best quality product regardless of where it is grown. We’re truly a full-line house with just about every category.”

Collotti & Sons occupies units I-7 and I-8 at the PWPM. The company was one of the original occupants of the market when it opened in June 2011. Collotti and his brothers, Vince and Chris, are the second generation to operate the business. The third generation is represented by the sons of the three brothers. Jack Collotti’s two sons, John, age 28, and Brian, age 26, now work full time at the company and they are continually taking on increasingly more responsibilities.

“The younger generation has been working in the business since they were kids,” said Collotti. “They now have the great advantage of working at this new cutting-edge facility, which is teaching them the right way to handle fresh produce. Product stays fresher longer, and shrinkage is down considerably. This is entirely due to the unbroken cold chain. Their future in the produce industry will be a lot different than the generations that preceded them because of this facility.”

He also noted that all operations run much more efficiently at the new PWPM. Customers continually express their pleasure of getting in and out of the market faster than was possible at the previous open-dock Philadelphia market.

“Adding to the pleasure for everyone is that the building is kept spotlessly clean,” said Collotti. “The environment makes for much safer working conditions and the unbroken cold storage and temperature control abilities increase the level of food safety. There is plenty of parking for customers and visitors, and the traffic is controlled. Working in this market is a sheer joy.”

He added that as the facility heads into its third year of operation, things have smoothed over nicely.

“We have seen a couple of new faces, some expansions and other changes, but things are pretty well in place now,” he said.

Collotti concurred with other merchants at the PWPM that the brutally cold winter was tough on everyone — suppliers, customers and consumers.

“The rough winter pushed us back a little, and it’s still chilly here,” he said on April 22. “But we have a highly experienced sales team, we provide the highest possible level of customer service, and as people start warming up and venturing out again we expect a strong spring and summer.”

The company continues its organic line. Collotti said that the demand growth is slow but steady following the several years of economic turmoil. People are still somewhat resistant to paying a premium price for fresh organic produce.

Collotti & Sons distributes throughout the Northeast and as far south as Virginia. Its customers include wholesalers, retailers, foodservice operators and industrial operations. Its primary focus is on customer service and delivering high-quality produce.

“Service is the primary goal in our company,” Collotti stressed. “There is plenty of competition in the produce industry, and service is the one place where we can be outstanding. Providing the best possible quality is imperative, of course, but we also bend over backwards for our customers.”