The food and beverage industry is enormous, including subindustries like grocery, restaurants, bars, catering, and more. The industry continues to evolve and adapt despite frequently changing consumer preferences and new, complex challenges. So, what’s currently affecting those in food and beverage? In this blog, we’re going to dive into some of the latest trends in the food and beverage industry.
TRENDS IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY
LABOR SHORTAGES IN FOODSERVICE
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & AUTOMATION
CONTINUED COLD CHAIN GROWTH
One of the well-known trends in the food and beverage industry is the continued growth of cold chains. Recently, a Grand View Research study shows that the cold chain market was estimated at USD $330,680 billion in 2023. Furthermore, it’s estimated to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.8 percent from 2024 to 2030.
Recently, there’s been an increased demand for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical logistics (think vaccines and biologics), rising demand for better food quality, including more fresh and frozen foods, and a surging need to reduce food waste. All this is anticipated to drive the market’s growth.
In light of the pandemic, the risks of COVID-19 have made consumers more interested in healthier, less processed foods that will boost their immune systems. However, less processed foods mean more food products that will need temperature control.
Additionally, the frozen food sector looks to be growing. Besides filling home freezers, frozen foods are growing in restaurants. Restaurants are also providing new menu items for the frozen grocery aisle. In an American Frozen Food Institute report, 72 percent of frozen food consumers said they combine frozen and fresh ingredients in their meals.
Comparatively, shippers are also using more cold chain services to preserve the shelf life of their products, even when temperature-controlled transportation isn’t needed.
SUSTAINABILITY
Growing climate issues are making sustainability a common trend in almost all industries. Consumers are taking notice of the sustainable practices of companies. From ethical sourcing, carbon neutrality, to eco-friendly packaging, consumers want the brands they buy from to be sustainable. Additionally, food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, contributing to cold chain issues. This makes sustainability one of the top trends in the food and beverage industry.
Consumers Care About Sustainability
One way consumers can show their support for the environment is by choosing to purchase from sustainable brands. Consumers have shown they’re willing to pay more and be loyal to brands that invest in their sustainability efforts. In a survey by YouGov, more than half of consumers said they would be willing to pay up to 10 percent more on sustainable versions of regular packaged food and drinks. In another consumer survey, 78 percent of respondents agree that sustainability is import, with 63 percent stating they have adopted greener buying habits.
Food Waste Prevention
In fact, an S&P Global Ratings report says food waste contributes to 10 percent of emissions and that $1 trillion of food is wasted each year. Similarly, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), between 73 to 152 million metric tons of food get wasted each year in the U.S. The most wasted foods are fruits and vegetables, followed by dairy and eggs, with over half of all waste occurring in households and restaurants. In addition, the food processing sector generates 34 million metric tons of food waste per year. And over the past decade, the total U.S. food waste has increased by 12 percent to 14 percent.
To put it differently, the EPA said halving food waste in the U.S. would save 3.2 trillion gallons of water, 640 million pounds of fertilizer, 262 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, and 92 million metric ton equivalents of carbon dioxide. According to the Agency, reducing the waste of meats, cereals, and fresh fruits and vegetables would have the most significant impact.
Due to this growing issue, governments and businesses have been working hard to improve sustainability efforts. In July 2021, the Zero Food Waste Act was introduced to provide grants to businesses that significantly reduce their food waste. Additionally, in November 2021, the Food Donation Improvement Act was introduced to lower food waste by making it easier for companies to donate food instead of throwing it out.
Cold chain improvements have seen growing importance even outside the food and beverage industry. One example is UPS Healthcare developing a system and opening facilities to move medicines safely. Part of their plan includes using reusable cold chain packaging. In addition, Amazon is working on insulation packaging to reduce material waste and replace 735,000 pounds of plastic film, 3.15 million pounds of cotton fiber, and 15 million pounds of non-recyclable plastic.
LABOR SHORTAGES In Foodservice
Labor shortages are common among other industries, making this another relatable trend in the food and beverage industry. As a result, hiring workers in the U.S. is becoming near impossible. According to a recent market report, labor shortages are a top concern for 23 percent of food and beverage businesses. The most difficult positions to fill look to be those in the restaurant and foodservice sectors. It’s not just the hiring of new workers, but retaining them as well.
Workers are leaving the industry due to a combination of burnout, low wages, and a desire for better work-life balance. Because of this, restaurants and foodservice companies have had to reduce their hours or limit their menu, while consumers have felt it in longer wait times and less personalized service. With good customer experiences being paramount to a company’s success, resolving this issue is critical.
For this reason, advanced technology can help remove some redundant tasks and help supplement amidst labor shortages. For example, those in the bar sector are being introduced to self-pour technology, which uses RFID tracking and allows customers to pour their own beverages. .
CONSUMERS ARE MORE COMPLEX
Over the years, consumers and their choices in food and beverage and their preferred shopping habits, have become more complex. Because of this, there is a greater assortment of products than ever, with more items requiring temperature control as consumers move away from processed foods and look for fresher, healthier items. Consequently, the supply chain for grocery continues to evolve as the message from consumers is clear. They want what they want, when they want it, where they want it, and expect businesses to respond to their demands.
Continued Decline of In-Person Shopping
In speaking to consumer shopping preferences, it looks like online grocery shopping, food delivery, and food subscription boxes are here to stay. Many consumers prefer the option to receive food and beverage products at their door. For instance, in recent a study by Drive Research, the use of grocery delivery services in 2024 have risen 56 percent compared to 2022. Additionally, the use of grocery curbside or pickup in 2024 have risen 100 percent compared to 2022, further showing the decline of in-person shopping for food and beverage items.
Cost of Food and Beverage Products a Large Concern
Additionally, inflation and rising costs for everyday items, including food and beverages, have consumers rethinking how much and what brands they buy. For example, a recent study showed 54 percent of respondents stating they’ve reduced how much, and unfortunately, 20 percent said they were skipping meals to save money on food. Data from another survey found that 43 percent of consumers are cooking dishes with less meat to save on grocery costs. Others are choosing to purchase cheaper cuts of meat.
Private label brands continue to see growth as shoppers look to save money whenever possible. In fact, according to Numerator, private label brands hold almost a quarter of sales in the grocery sector. The Private Label Manufacturers Association shows that private label sales saw 2.5 percent growth compared to a decline of 0.8 percent by national brands in 2024.
Taste and Experience is a Must
Consumers want to feel good about what they eat. They want nutritious options that alight with their dietary preferences or health goals. In a survey but the International Food Information Council, 54 percent of consumers consider the healthfulness of food in their purchasing decision. Yet, even with the health benefits, they still want their products to taste good, as Datassential shared 35 percent of them purchase items that sound both delicious and healthy.
Consumers are interested in trends like unprocessed foods, natural ingredients, anti-inflammatory, and hydration. Alcohol-free and non-alcoholic beverages are also a rapidly growing trend, with 2 in 5 consumers abstaining from drinking alcohol.
Consumers generally want a positive experience with food and beverage products. While it’s fuel for the body, it can also serve as a source of community, entertainment, and more. In one study, 53 percent of consumers see experiences as essential to their personal lives, especially among the younger generations since the pandemic. They’re interested in trying to tastes and spices, products that bring a sense of nostalgia, or food and beverages that tie in with a story, as shown by the recent increase in pop-up restaurants and bars.
supply chain Challenges
Since the pandemic, supply chains have been seen more of the limelight. As shown by rising costs faced by consumers, food and beverage supply chains have been challenged by shortages of raw materials, disruptions like strikes or a bridge collapse, and a growing demand by consumers for transparency and speed.
Consumers are also becoming more interested in knowing where the products they buy come from. According to a study by IBM, nearly 70 percent of consumers want to see a brand’s sourcing practices. They want to know how the products they buy were manufactured. They’re looking for companies who show concern to how their manufacturing affects the planet’s life span and how their product is raised or grown. Consumers want to feel like the products they choose to buy will make a difference.
According to a Mckinsey report, food and beverage supply chains see supply chain disruption roughly once every three years. A 2023 risk report shows that supply chain executives are concerned about disruptions from climate change, environmental factors, and geopolitical conflicts. Another risk report shows that 73 percent of companies experienced higher supply chain losses within that past two years. Because of this, building supply chain resiliency is a huge trend for food and beverage companies.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & AUTOMATION
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a buzzword across all industries, but how could it affect food and beverage? One way is through providing clearer insights into shopper preferences, helping companies better market to them to grow brand loyalty. It can help with supply chain optimization, helping businesses better understand consumer demand and optimize production planning and management, reduce overstocking, and minimize waste. Some companies, like Campbell Soup Co., are using AI to help with product development, tracking data and discovering what its customers want next.
According to WifiTalents, 62 percent of food and beverage executives believe AI will have a significant impact on their industry within the next five years. With the uses for AI in the food and beverage industry being so extensive, it will be interesting to see how companies make use of it.
There’s also a lot to be talked about in AI and automation for the customer experience. Companies are looking into AI-driven customer service opportunities and ways to streamline customer interactions. You see a lot of this in the restaurant industry with the use of table side tablets, interactive menus, and mobile ordering and payment. AI is used in mobile apps to personalize menus and promotions based on customer preferences.
Growing Cold Storage Demand
The demand for refrigerated warehouses is continuing to soar to new heights. A report from Skyquest forecasts the U.S. cold storage market to increase with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5 percent through 2031, expecting to reach a value of $118.8 billion.
Temperature-controlled storage is critical to many sectors, from grocery to pharmaceutical companies. The growing demand for cold storage facilities comes the adoption of automation and technology, the popularity of ecommerce and demand for faster delivery, as well as online grocery platforms. There’s also a thriving demand for convenience foods – those that are usually chilled but ready to eat with little to no preparation.
STAY AHEAD OF TRENDS IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY
No matter the trends in the food and beverage industry, having a logistics resource, consultant, or expert is one way to stay ahead. Whatever phrase you want to use but ultimately, have support on your side for any complex situation. This is where a third-party logistics company (3PL), such as Trinity Logistics, can come in. We can help you find creative solutions to your logistics challenges.
Now, you’re likely wondering, “why work with Trinity Logistics?” For one, we’ve been serving cold chains for over 45 years! Whether you have a complex challenge or just need help with one shipment, we have the experience and quality carrier relationships to meet your needs.
You can also count on us to stay knowledgeable on what’s going on in your industry so you can stay updated too. We know that even in times of supply chain disruption, your industry doesn’t stop, so neither do we.
And lastly, what makes Trinity unique from other 3PLs and what our customers praise the most is our exceptional People-Centric service. We’re a company built on a culture of family and servant leadership, and that culture shines through in our service to you. It’s our care, compassion, and communication that you’ll notice and appreciate.
If you’re ready to have Trinity Logistics on your side for logistics support and expertise, no matter the industry trends, then let’s get connected.
DISCOVER HOW WORKING WITH TRINITY CAN BENEFIT YOUR COMPANY STAY UP-TO-DATE VIA OUR EMAILTrinity Logistics, a Burris Logistics company, is proud to share that Food Logistics has named the company as a recipient of the 2022 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers Award.
Food Logistics is the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of products and information through the cold food and beverage supply chain. The Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list recognizes leading third-party logistics and cold storage providers in the food and beverage industry. Companies on the list play a pivotal role in keeping the food and beverage industry’s products stored, transported, and stocked while maintaining the product’s quality.
“These past 18 months have been so challenging for U.S. supply chains. It’s the continuous bottlenecks that require fleets to re-tool and pivot accordingly. But it’s the drivers, the fleet, the warehouses, and software/technologies that really keep today’s supply chains in line,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “These 3PLs and cold storage providers have collaborated on all facets of their operations to achieve full visibility, complete forecasting, end-to-end leverage, and the ultimate in sustainability. Now is the time to honor and celebrate those companies making magic happen behind the frontlines.”
Trinity works with thousands of shippers in the food and beverage industry, making the company well-versed in its requirements and regulations. Equipped with state of industry technology and with Burris Logistics, one of the top cold storage providers in North America, as its parent company, Trinity provides exceptional service to those in the cold chain.
“We are honored to be named a Top 3PL & Cold Storage Provider, and very fortunate to be part of the Burris Logistics family,” said Mark Peterson, SVP of Sales at Trinity Logistics. “Having a parent company with 90+ years of cold storage & food distribution experience gives us a distinct advantage. From the 3PL viewpoint, our focus is on optimizing the efficiency of our distribution network. The pillars of that effort are gathering and analyzing the right data; clear and consistent communication with our partners; and the highly educated and motivated team of professionals at Trinity Logistics.”
The full list of 2022’s Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers will appear in Food Logistics’ August issues, as well as online at www.FoodLogistics.com.
Learn how Trinity supports food and beverage companies.About Trinity Logistics
Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.
For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.
We are currently recognized on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Freight Brokerage List, a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, and a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation by Women in Trucking.
How does the cold chain process differ from your typical supply chain? The cold chain is a variation of your standard supply chain. It involves the movement of refrigerated or frozen products from temperatures of two degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) all the way down to negative 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). The cold chain involves industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
WHAT IS THE COLD CHAIN PROCESS?
The cold chain process is a logistics management process for perishable products that need refrigerated temperatures to maintain quality and safety from end to end. It involves performing a chain of tasks to prepare, store, and transport products in the cold supply chain.
Logistical planning and management protect the integrity of cold chain shipments. This involves using proper packaging, proper transportation equipment, carefully chosen transportation routes, perfect timing, and visibility throughout to ensure that what’s expected is what happens. The cold chain process is best done by using technology and data at every point of the process.
WHY IS THE COLD CHAIN IMPORTANT?
The cold chain ensures perishable products are safe, of high quality, or potency at the point of consumption or use. Failure to keep those products at correct temperatures results in degradation, discoloring, bruising, or microbial growth. When you have quality cold chain products, you’ll have satisfied customers, meaning greater demand, and the protection of public health.
Additionally, cold chain providers contribute a great deal to the economy and workforce. According to GCCA, approximately $6.1 billion is generated by the refrigerated warehousing industry annually. Not to mention, the North American refrigerated warehousing industry employs more than 62,774 people annually on a full-time basis, with 92 percent being permanent employees versus contract or temporary.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ELEMENTS IN THE COLD CHAIN?
Storage
The cold chain starts with the storage of the product at a refrigerated facility. If manufacturers of cold chain products don’t have storage equipment needed to keep their products regulated, they’ll have to outsource their cold chain operations to a partner who can provide the proper equipment.
Common cold storage equipment and facilities include refrigerated containers, cold rooms, chillers, cold boxes, blast freezers, and vaccine carriers.
Packaging
Temperature-controlled products need correct packaging to maintain their quality. Proper packaging helps reduce the risk of product contamination and ensures energy-efficient storage along the cold chain.
The most common refrigerants used in packaging are dry ice, gel packs, gel bricks, phase change material (PCM), and EPS panels (expanded polystyrene or Styrofoam).
Monitoring
Tracking certain information for specific cold chain products is a necessity. This includes temperatures and other environmental parameters, like humidity levels. Without monitoring, suboptimal conditions can happen and damage the quality of the product.
Cold chain monitoring often refers to the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) or other sensor software. These monitoring systems can detect temperature problems, keep track of all cold chain products on one platform, and improve predictive maintenance through the integration of sensor data with supply chain management software, like a transportation management system (TMS).
Delivery
Cold chain management also involves the delivery of shipments. Delivery is based upon the end-user consumers’ preferred methods for receiving cold deliveries.
WHY IS AN EFFICIENT COLD CHAIN PROCESS IMPORTANT?
Unlike shipping non-perishable products such as furniture, interruptions in the cold chain can result in damage to the quality of the product, making it unusable. An efficient cold chain process uses monitoring and reduces the amount of handling from end to end.
The cold chain industry has standardized temperature zones classified to maintain the quality of products. These classifications are:
Banana
Bananas and other tropical fruits like oranges, pineapples, or even potatoes have a temperature range of 12 degrees to 14 degrees Celsius (53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit). This helps control ripening during transport.
Pharmaceutical
Most pharmaceutical products need temperatures between two and eight degrees Celsius (35 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit).
Chill
This classification is between two and four degrees Celsius (35 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit) for many other fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat.
Frozen
This temperature range is between minus 10 to minus 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit) for frozen meat, cakes, and bread.
Deep Frozen
Seafood, ice cream, and other frozen foods need colder temperatures at minus 25 to minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 77 to minus 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Ultra-Low
This is a new and growing temperature range often for pharmaceutical products that need temperatures reaching minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 158 degrees Fahrenheit), like certain vaccines.
WHAT ARE SOME INDUSTRIES THAT USE COLD CHAIN?
Food and Beverage
Controlled temperatures are needed for transporting food and beverage products such as milk, produce, or meat. Interruptions in the cold chain can lead to spoilage or bacteria or mold growth. As mentioned above, many fruits like bananas ripen during their shipment.
Pharmaceutical
Many pharmaceutical products need temperature control. This includes products like vaccines, medication, or biologicals, like blood or plasma. Spoilage of these products can mean a loss in efficacy and can become a public health hazard if not caught.
Chemical
Temperature control is critical when it comes to some hazardous chemicals. Specifically, ones that can be susceptible to reactions due to heat release. If heat escapes from a chemical good that requires it to remain at a certain temperature, it can cause a spark, flame, or explosion to occur, not only damaging the product but potentially harming others.
Oil and Gas
This sector uses explosion-proof refrigerated containers on oil rigs, oil tankers, and offshore locations.
Military
The U.S. military must control the temperature of its medical supplies, which often travel long, hard-to-reach areas. Because of this, the cold chain process can become more complicated when handling products for the military.
WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED PROVIDER
Not all temperature-controlled products are the same. Each product is unique and requires specialized solutions throughout the cold chain. Many cold chain manufacturers are turning to third-party logistics companies (3PLs) to handle their complex challenges in the cold chain process. For your cold chain to be successful, you need to be sure to work with a provider who understands your industry, regulations, and product requirements.
Luckily, you don’t have to look very far to find one. Here at Trinity, we have more than 40 years of experience in specialized industries such as cold chain.
Contact us today to find your customized logistics solution for your cold chain process.
REQUEST A QUOTEAuthor: Christine Morris
If you haven’t already noticed, cold chain logistics is currently a hot topic. The demand for fresh products and quality supply chain processes are at an all-time high. Recognizing these trends in cold chain and taking action will help you fulfill your customer’s needs. Let’s look at five trends going on in the cold chain industry.
1. An Increased Demand on Quality Products
Big trends in cold chain, specifically the food industry, has been the demand for fresher and higher-quality products. Consumers want their peaches to be juicier and their avocados to be riper. To satisfy the customers’ wants, you need to make sure the carrier that is shipping your product is well versed in cold chain management. They need to know how to avoid changes in the texture and taste of the produce when a shipment fluctuates beyond the required temperature. The focus on quality products means that refrigerated warehouses will need to maintain temperature zones.
Quality products don’t stop at fresh food. With the COVID-19 vaccine being administered, people want to make sure that what they’re getting injected into their bodies is safe. In addition, the amount of biological drugs and gene therapies is growing. Because of this, logistics companies are also widening their capacity for temperature-controlled transportation to meet the demand.
As we’ve stated in our Shipping Pharmaceuticals blog, cold chain logistics play significant role in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Manufacturers of these vaccines and medications need the cold chain to run smoothly to prevent any damage to the expensive drugs. Pharmaceuticals also need to arrive as good as new because medicine that has sat in incorrect temperatures for an extended period can be ineffective or detrimental to a patient’s health.
2. The Global Cold Chain Market is Booming
A recent report by Grand View Research shows that the global cold chain market size is expected to grow 14.8 percent from 2021 to 2028. Many nations have recognized a rising need to avoid food waste and loss of healthcare products due to spoilage. Moreover, the demand for fresher products is on the rise. Nations such as China and India are boosting their global cold chain efforts to meet the demand for their exports. International trade liberalization has also boosted the use of cold chain, globally. Because it is the global cold chain is rising, manufacturers need to become more specialized in their products so they can ship their goods to a wider variety of customers across the globe.
3. Stronger Regulations
Another trend in the cold chain has been stricter regulations on shipped products. Both globalization and the recent rise of food and pharma counterfeit incidences have caused production and cold chain rules to be reevaluated. The beginning of these rules started with the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act. This act requires anyone in the food supply chain to document every step of the process. Certain products like fruit must be traced all the way back to the point of origin.
Being proactive with these firm rules and regulations has also been a common trend across cold chain logistics. Manufacturers are strengthening their processes in-house to help mitigate any issues with their cold chain. Safety should be a top priority for the manufacturer when shipping through cold chain.
4. Innovative Packaging
Specialized packaging has been a trending topic in the cold chain industry. Whether it be for pharmaceuticals or food and beverages, manufacturers have been more specific on how they want their products packaged.
For pharmaceutical companies, there has been a conflict between packaging and transportation costs. For smaller shipments moving through the supply chain, a company can choose either a 24, 48, or 72-hour packaging that will protect the products from becoming ineffective. The more insulated the packaging is, the higher the cost. Globalization is also a major factor in this dilemma. If the U.S. ships cold chain products like pharmaceuticals overseas, it is imperative that the carrier knows to re-ice the shipment if any delays occur.
Companies that specialize in temperature-controlled packaging are making single-use or reusable packaging for all your cold chain needs. There are new refrigerated shipping systems that don’t require gel coolants, and they weigh much less than typical cold chain packages. These systems use evaporative, reactive cooling technology that responds and adjusts to fluctuating temperatures.
Whether it be significant innovations such as evaporative cooling technology or something as simple as adding handles and straps to your packaging, traditional packaging is starting to become a thing of the past. Companies are trying to gain that competitive advantage of being the most innovative packaging company for your cold chain needs.
5. Outsourcing to a Third-Party Logistics Company
Another demand in the cold chain has been for efficiency and visibility throughout the supply chain. Companies don’t like to be left in the dark when it comes to the transportation of their products. That is why a 3PL provides a wide range of technology services to promote transparency within the supply chain.
Consumers today are becoming more conscientious about their needs. No one wants to settle for spoiled milk or ineffective pharmaceuticals. It is imperative that manufacturers stay up to date on these current trends in the cold chain in order to satisfy their customers. Doing research and staying in the know are both imperative ways for your business to be successful. Being proactive and listening to what customers want is the best way to stay on top in the cold chain industry.
Interested in learning more about Trinity’s experience in cold chain?
Speak With an expertWhether those buying your product are meat-eaters or vegetarians, gluten-free, or dairy-free or they’ll try anything under the sun – we all have to eat. All food must make its way from farms and factories to the dinner table. We all know that this multi-step process is particular and sensitive. Shipping frozen and refrigerated food together can be a recipe for disaster if not done right. The technicalities involved in packaging, warehousing, and transporting these goods are specific and time–sensitive. Let’s look at the logistics of frozen and refrigerated shipping and see how your product ends up safely on dinner tables.
Refrigerated/Frozen Food Shipping: LTL vs. Truckload
The process of shipping food differs between truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Let’s look at how these two modes differ when it comes to shipping your frozen food.
LTL
When you work with a refrigerated LTL carrier, you likely know that they have specific days that they pick up, depending on the region. Other temperature-controlled products traveling within that region in the same temperature range will be on that truck.
The LTL carrier will pick up all these shipments within a specific window and deliver them the following week. Depending on the size of your business and the frequency of shipments, you may find it challenging to keep track of the various pick-up and delivery windows for specific carriers. Visibility of your shipment is imperative to ensure your product arrives safely to the store and in peak condition.
Truckload
Large shipments of dairy, frozen meats, boxes of bananas, lettuce and watermelons, cans of soup, ketchup, you name it, can be shipped via truckload from distributors to grocery stores. Truckloads full of items leaving one location and heading to the same destination with the exact temperature requirements can be shipped together. However, if this isn’t the case for your product, remember to note this on your instructions for the carrier moving your freight.
Since these trucks typically have one origin, one destination, and one driver, there aren’t necessarily specific days of the week that these are picked up. However, receivers may have specific days for delivery. Ensure your product arrives in peak condition by coordinating the pick-up and delivery times appropriately so food does not spoil.
Grocery Delivery Services
The typical grocery store shipments are pretty cut and dry with how goods arrive at the loading docks. The waters get muddied up when it comes to services designed to help busy people get groceries without ever stepping foot into a store.
Consumers can buy everything else online, so why not food? Grocery delivery services like Peapod, Walmart Grocery Delivery, Instacart, Freshdirect, and Amazon Fresh have turned e-commerce into a giant food pantry for busy people. In a five-minute website visit, people can add their groceries to a virtual cart and have the goods arrive on their front step the following day.
While grocery deliveries are incredibly convenient and competitive price–wise for the average consumer, it’s a rather complicated process with a small profit margin for shippers.
These last-mile grocery shipments are so tricky because of the precise instructions and temperatures for the items within a single shipment. Companies have a window of around 20 hours to get groceries from the warehouse to a customer’s fridge. Any moment that the temperature dips below the requirement could zap away the shelf life of your product.
There’s also difficulty with grocery delivery because certain products cannot be shipped with others. Some produce items can’t be packaged in the same bag as others. Refrigerated items such as milk and cheese shouldn’t reach the temperatures that frozen microwavable meals demand and vice versa.
Some of these grocery delivery services have refrigerated trucks that carry the groceries from house to house, while others do the temperature control within the grocery totes, using insulated boxes, large ice packs, or dry ice.
Drivers who deliver these shipments must be more conscious about delivery windows to ensure that each food stays exactly how it is supposed to be, so the integrity remains when the bags make their way from the front step into the kitchens of consumers worldwide.
Meal Service Delivery Kits
Meal Service Delivery Kits from providers like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, Sun Basket, and Plated are handled a little differently from grocery delivery service.
Shoppers who want pre-portioned ingredients to prepare two or three meals a week for their family will sign up for these services. Ultimately, the providers, like HelloFresh, will have a preselected menu for the week.
In this case, the providers are the ones deciding what produce, grain, dairy, and meat can be packaged together. These deliveries arrive at customers’ homes in insulated cardboard boxes. Meats are typically at the bottom of the box covered by large ice packs, with produce and dry items packaged on top.
These deliveries are a little less complicated and don’t require immediate attention from the customer to stay fresh. While there are instructions to unpack in the fridge as soon as possible, food can stay cold with gel ice packs if customers are not home at the time of delivery. Typically, these items are kept at refrigerated temperatures and don’t fall into the realm of frozen food shipping. Proper packaging during this time helps maintain the integrity of your product.
Multiple carriers still come into play to get food delivered from the meal service distribution centers to the doorsteps of customers, many times parcel companies like UPS and FedEx complete the last leg of delivery. These carriers need to have the knowledge and expertise of shipping frozen and refrigerated food. This will ensure that the meal kits are delivered properly and are safe for the customer to eat.
Categorized Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes have become a major trend in the food industry. Unlike the full grocery delivery services, these boxes differ as they often only offer a specific type of commodity. Examples of food subscription boxes are Butcherbox, Misfits Market, Jeni’s Pint Club, Carnivore Club, and Wine Down.
These categorized subscription boxes are even less complicated to package and deliver than the Meal Service Delivery kits. Since all items are in the same category and require similar packaging and temperature control, there is no need to make sure certain items are at the bottom with more sensitive items at the top of the box.
All items are packaged like the meal kits inside an insulated cardboard box covered by large ice packs and delivered the same way. Companies like ButcherBox can warehouse and deliver their boxes in one to two days with services like Direct-to-Consumer through our parent company, Burris Logistics.
Third-Party Logistics Frozen Food Shipping
Even with changing trends in the way food and groceries make their way into consumers’ cabinets and refrigerators, your food product still has to travel from distribution centers, warehouses, and farms around the world.
Whether you have a full truckload of refrigerated or frozen food to ship or just a few pallets, you can work with a third-party logistics (3PL) company to help coordinate your shipments.
Whether you’re shipping multiple trailer loads of food to grocery stores across the country, or you’re just starting to ship several pallets of your bakery goods to markets, Trinity Logistics is uniquely qualified to help you find solutions for your cold chain specific needs.
Trinity arranges the shipment of food, produce, and frozen meat and seafood on a regular basis. We work with a vast array of carriers with reefer and frozen food equipment at the ready. With innovative technology and Account Management expertise, frozen food shipping arrangement has become a specialty of Trinity.
Want to learn how Trinity can arrange your refrigerated shipments?
Connect with us today by submitting a quote request.
Originally published July 7th, 2017 By Brittany Siegel. Updated by Victoria Dalton.