It’s no secret that capacity gets tighter and freight rates higher for all shippers during produce season. While the increased freight demand during produce season affects all markets, produce shippers and those with other temperature-controlled products are hit the hardest. Yet, produce shippers that make use of these suggested tips have a better chance of finding capacity and keeping their costs manageable. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide for temperature suggestions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• When is produce season?
• Tips for produce shippers during produce season
  • Make your produce easy to work with
  • Have your produce truck ready
  • Make sure your carriers are vetted
  • Find providers that run temp-controlled year-round
  • Make use of technology
  • Be the produce shipper all the carriers want to work with
  • Look into multimodal solutions
  • Measure carrier performance
  • Consider a 3PL
• It’s not too late!

When is Produce Season?

Produce season is impactful because it puts pressure on freight shipping rates, which affects shippers both inside and outside the produce sector. To simplify, it’s the rise in crop volumes and heightened demand for trucks to transport these crops that impact capacity during this season. These factors lead to an increase in rates, not only for the shippers who need trucks with temperature control but for a majority of shippers across other modes and regions as well. 

It’s vital for produce shippers and all others impacted by produce season to know exactly when the spike in shipping begins. Generally, produce season begins sometime around February and runs through early fall. The main regional areas shipping increased produce are Florida and the East Coast, Texas and surrounding states, and California. 

Texas Produce Season

The most impactful time is from March through June however, produce can be found year-round coming from over the border out of Mexico. In Arizona and New Mexico, there is a push for produce that usually occurs in October or November.

Florida Produce Season

Starting as early as March, southeastern states like Florida begin to see an uptick in produce shipping. As temperatures warm up, produce season creeps its way up the East Coast with northeastern states’ produce shippers slowing down sometime in early fall.

California Produce Season

Like the East Coast, produce season starts in the southern part of the state around March and creeps its way up to the northern region, ending in early fall. 

Tips for Produce Shippers During Produce Season

Produce shippers facing challenges with capacity during produce season isn’t new. But there are things produce shippers can do to make shipping during produce season easier. Here are some tips you should consider to make it through this tough season.

Make Your Produce Easy to Work With

When capacity is tight and rates are high, carriers get to pick and choose what load they want. Make your produce shipments more desirable by making the job easy to complete. 

One way to do this is through freight consolidation. Regional consolidation makes freight easier for carriers to work with. Simply put, instead of using a long-haul truck to make many pick-ups or deliveries in a regional area, hire a regional short-haul expert to do that part. They make all the pick-ups and deliver to one spot so that your long-haul carrier can make one easy pick-up and drive onward. Vice versa is that the long-haul carrier would drop off at one regional facility, and then you use the regional carrier to make the many deliveries. 

We’ve found that consolidating the freight this way increases the percentage of on-time delivery, increasing your product’s shelf life and customer satisfaction. 

Make Sure Your Produce is Truck Ready

This goes hand in hand with making your produce easy to work with. Often, produce vendors will work with many packing house facilities. Make sure you confirm with the produce shipper where the truck needs to pick up. It’s never a great start to a shipment when a driver has to search location after location for their pick-up. Not only does the driver get frustrated, but with it being a time-sensitive shipment, you want to make sure there are no hang-ups, so it’s picked up on time, delivered on time, and your product’s shelf life is as long as possible.

Make Sure Your Carriers are Vetted

This may be your most important piece of advice. Make sure your selected carriers are properly vetted. 

What exactly do we mean by that? This means making sure they have reefer breakdown coverage. Or making sure they have the right amount of insurance coverage in case something goes wrong. 

For example, cherries are hard to come by and based on market conditions, their value can change. Does your carrier have that coverage should there be a problem? 

There’s also FSMA compliance to consider now. Does your carrier know how to work with produce shipments? Do they have that experience? Do they carry pulp thermometers in their trucks and understand that process to ensure they are not loading produce that is too hot or too cold, making sure it will be in good shape when it’s delivered? All these factors are something to keep in mind regardless of market conditions. 

When selecting and vetting your carriers, remember there is a big difference between the cheapest truck and the RIGHT truck. 

Find Providers that Run Temp-Controlled Year-Round

Finding and building a relationship with providers that execute year-round temperature-controlled freight across the country can give produce shippers a competitive advantage. By having that relationship, you’ll know and better trust your provider because they have the proven experience and understanding of working with your perishable freight. Additionally, having that reliable relationship can help you keep your costs down during peak produce season.

Make Use of Technology

Making use of transportation management (TMS) technology can help during this season. A TMS can help you with routing decisions by matching freight with the best carriers, lanes, rates, and transit service. In addition, it will allow you to optimize the in-house processes of your transportation network – which can help in both times of disruption and easier times. By selecting the best carriers and optimizing your routes, you’ll not only increase your service levels but reduce your risk. 

Having a best-in-class TMS also provides you with data-driven insight to better manage disruptions, reduce downtime, and effectively plan and budget your logistics spend. By using data analytics, you’ll be able to recognize which carriers are most likely to have the capacity, allowing you to reduce your harvesting to minimal levels. 

Having a TMS on hand gives you a full view of your network and transportation management. You’ll be able to see what’s happening across all markets, ensure proper rates for shipments, find freight consolidation options, and track everything from start to finish. You’ll be better prepared for now and any future disruptions. Not to mention, you’ll also gain an extra layer of security to your supply chain, which is something top of mind for everyone in this industry.

Be the Produce Shipper All the Carriers Want to Work With

There is never a time when you shouldn’t strive to be a shipper of choice. Carriers are in the position of choosing which shippers they want to work with. Produce shippers who provide better experiences for carriers can reap long-term benefits in the form of higher service levels, fewer claims, and better rates. 

To become a shipper that carriers want to work with, it’s important to run efficient and friendly dock operations, reduce driver wait times, provide comfortable breakroom and restroom accommodations, and pay carriers quickly. Let’s break these down further.

Have a Fair Accessorial Schedule

Make sure it is in line with industry standards. You can also leverage your relationships with other carriers, shippers, and 3pls to see how you compare.

Pay Quickly

In business, cash is king, especially for carriers. Favorable payment terms can make a world of a difference to a smaller carrier company or an owner-operator. Anything under 30 days is often ideal.

Tender with Ample Lead Time

This may not always be possible, but the sooner you get a load tender to your selected carrier, the better they can plan their own workload. Providing as much lead time as possible can help you get the best capacity available at the most cost-effective rates. It can also get you more committed freight and keep you out of the spot market. 48 hours or more is ideal. 

Simplify Your Appointment Scheduling Process

Put yourself in your provider’s shoes. What is it like to get an appointment set? Is it a huge effort or is it quick and easy? The easier and more user-friendly the process is, the more carriers will want to work with you.

Have Realistic Transit Times

Whenever possible, schedule pick-ups and deliveries that set carriers up for success. If transit is too tight and a late driver will have to wait hours for the facility to work them in, then the load is less attractive. Whereas if the pick-up and delivery are too far apart and a driver will have to sit around to get unloaded, then the load is also less attractive. Make sure your transit times are reasonable and make sense to keep carriers moving along. They will appreciate it. 

Turn Drivers as Quickly as Possible

The industry standard is two hours or less. Anything over that and your facility is at risk of having a negative reputation among drivers. Depending on your freight and operations, this may not be possible, but it is something important to keep in mind. 

Provide Basic Amenities for Drivers

Access to bathrooms, vending machines, waiting rooms, Wi-Fi, and most importantly, a friendly smile at the dock will go a LONG way.

Look Into Multimodal Solutions

When truckload capacity is tight, using a variety of modes can help mitigate capacity challenges while reducing your cost. Exploring multimodal options can be a great way to diversify risk, add capacity, and protect your freight budget. It can also give you the opportunity to reduce your company’s carbon footprint. 

Measure Carrier Performance

Whether you awarded hundreds of lanes in an RFP event or are a small shipper relying on the spot market, it’s important to have your supply chain driven by data, and tracking carrier performance is a part of that. If you can’t track it, how else can you make improvements?

Be sure to communicate your KPIs to every carrier you work with so they can be crystal clear on your expectations. Regularly evaluate your carrier base. Give them report cards and make sure their performance is not a mystery to you or them. You should also have a process in place for taking action for poor performance when needed. Again, clearly communicate that process to your providers, and be sure to stick with it. Inflationary markets will often show you which providers are serious about being your business partner. 

Consider Working With a 3PL

To gain quick access to capacity, produce shippers should work with a quality third-party logistics company (3PL). 3PLs work by having quality carrier relationships often in a network way larger than you can manage alone. Additionally, working with them gets you access to TMS technology and an expert to help you throughout times of disruption. It allows you easy access to multimodal solutions so you can easily compare rates across modes. Quality 3pls will include proper carrier vetting, so you know you’re working with a qualified carrier. Additionally, 3pls keep tabs on the industry and are well known for their skills in navigating disruptions with ease. 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

If you found some tips that could better help you, it’s not too late to act. Any improvements that you make now will help you ship better. The faster you act, the more likely you will beat your competition to the punch. Now all this might seem like an overwhelming amount to do, which is why we’d like to offer you our help.

Trinity has over 40 years of experience working through produce season and years of supply chain disruptions. We can help you with capacity through our network of strong carrier relationships available. We can also help you in your journey of being a shipper of choice as we offer carriers Quick Pay options through TriumphPay, available within two days.

Interested in freight consolidation or multimodal options? Our Team of Experts are here to help. We also have best-in-class TMS technology available with customized solutions to fit your needs, not the other way around, and experts to support you in those applications. Most importantly, we offer you a People-Centric approach throughout every step of the process.  

No matter what you need to get through produce season, Trinity Logistics is capable and ready to support your business.

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?

Frozen food is considered one of the safest forms of food preservation because the freezing temperatures prevent harmful bacteria. This doesn’t necessarily mean that frozen food is foolproof. Several situations that could cause your frozen food to go bad and ways to prevent them from happening. If you’re new to shipping frozen food, or you’re a seasoned veteran staying up to date with the ever-changing world of cold chain logistics, here are a few things to keep in mind that can impact your company’s bottom line. 

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

Improper Packaging

Improper packaging is the most common mistake in frozen food shipping. It may also be the most involved part of your process. Multiple layers of packaging and ensuring an airtight seal to eliminate any heat or humidity penetration is critical. Your packaging’s  inner layer  should be waterproof to prevent any leakage from melting refrigerant causing damage to your outer packaging.  

The person responsible for packaging your frozen food should have a strong understanding of dry ice and how to store it in proper containers. Although it a great source for cold chain packaging, it could be detrimental to your shipment if misused. If dry ice is packaged in an airtight container, there could be a pressure build up and cause that entire container to burst.   

Package your frozen food with the proper amount of dry ice or frozen gel packs to prevent temperature fluctuations from happening. You should also ensure that you have the proper sized box to store your products. Too large with extra space means your goods could become damaged in the process of moving.  

To prevent improper packaging, ensure that you have full knowledge of the temperatures required for that shipment and what type of insulation you want to use. Partnering with a 3PL that works with vetted carriers that have a strong understanding of how to transport frozen food will also save your shipment from spoiling or getting damaged.  

Underestimating Shipping Times

When you underestimate shipment times, the result could impact your bottom line. If your product arrives to its destination melted or spoiled, you’ll end up with rejected products. This means money lost.  

Plan your frozen food shipments ahead and research estimated transit times so you can pack enough coolant material. This will also provide insight on which refrigerant choice would work better for that shipment. One to two blocks of dry ice will last between 18-36 hours in a small Styrofoam shipping container. In a larger shipping container, dry ice can last between two to three days. It’s never a bad idea to make sure you have enough refrigerant packed so that it could last an extra day or two should your shipment have some unforeseen delay. Communicate the estimated transit time with your third-party logistics provider to ensure that the carrier shipping your frozen food has all the necessary information. 

Not Properly Recording Information

Keep record of every detail about your shipment. This is paramount to staying compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and proving that your business has done everything possible to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. This includes the proper labeling of packaging, any providers used, and temperature records from before, during, and after transit.  

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is transforming the nation’s food safety system into one that is based on the prevention of foodborne illnesses. Our team stays updated on these regulations and have processes in place to stay compliant.  

Not Using a Qualified Provider

Maintaining the correct temperatures when shipping frozen food means maintaining its quality. You should make sure you choose a provider who is experienced with your frozen food product. Don’t make the mistake in trying to lower shipping costs by shipping mixed temperature goods together, which if not done properly, can compromise their quality and result in rejection of your product. Shipping mixed loads can be done, but you need to make sure it’s with a provider that has trucks with separate compartments capable of holding different temperatures, and the experience to handle it.  

Finding and building a relationship with a qualified, experienced carrier to haul your frozen food products can be a long and time-consuming process. At Trinity, we have a network of over 70,000 qualified carrier relationships to help you.  

Why not choose to save some time?  

Of all industries, the food industry needs data and visibility in the supply chain readily available when it comes to their shipping. Many food products are perishable and need to deliver in a specific timeframe to be able to be used. Recalls and claims can cost a lot to a manufacturer, causing them to lose revenue. The technology to keep data easily accessible can also cost quite a bit. Yet, food manufacturers outsourcing to a 3PL can gain benefits outside of just having their shipments arranged.

Quality Food Products Delivered

No matter the type of food – raw, cold, frozen, canned, produce – it all has a sell-by date and a proper way to be handled. Your customers want the best-looking product with the longest shelf life available when delivered. Having visibility into your shipping offers you insight into your product’s quality and helps you keep your customers happy.

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

FSMA & Recalls

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the rise of recalls add in extra pressure for the food industry to have visibility. If food is not handled safely, you can face criminal penalties. Additionally, no one wants to be faced with the adverse publicity and expense of a recall. According to a study by the Food Manufacturing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association, a company faced with a recall can expect an average of $10 million in direct costs, in addition to the damage to their brand and lost sales.

Visibility Is Important In The Food Industry

Visibility in the food supply chain is becoming something that is moving from the Wish List to the Required List. A shipment’s whereabouts are critical in determining actions that may be needed to provide the best customer service and make sure products are delivering intact and on time. Sophisticated brands are ditching their manual and time-consuming processes and replacing them with technology to operate more efficiently while gaining more visibility into their operations than before. With food safety always in mind for this industry, there is a big advantage for those with end-to-end visibility into their operations. But technology comes at a price.

Shippers need to work with strategic vendors who can provide them the technology tools needed for full visibility. They need to choose vendors who can put into place those tools and manage control when necessary to keep operations moving and to stay competitive in the market. To reduce costs and gain a helping hand, food manufacturers can choose to outsource to a 3PL for both their transportation needs and technology.

Technology 3PLs Offer

We all know that outsourcing to a 3PL reduces the stress and workload of finding a carrier to move your freight. 3PLs such as Trinity Logistics, take over the responsibilities of vetting the carriers they work with, making sure they have the proper credentials, insurance, and experience for your freight. But they also offer you access to their technology for all sorts of needs. Technology to track your shipment from pick up to delivery, automate workflows, engage in collaboration with supply chain partners, and more.

Transportation Management Systems

Download this whitepaper for your ultimate guide to TMS, and how it can help you grow revenue, manage costs, mitigate risk, and gain efficiencies.

One such piece of technology offered is Transportation Management Systems or a TMS. A TMS can help your business gain visibility into your supply chain, create new efficiencies, and automate your manual workload, so you can focus on keeping your customers happy and the orders coming. When using a 3PL, such as Trinity Logistics, you often have options to choose in how you want to integrate your TMS. With Trinity, we offer you a choice of:

• Software as a Service (Saas)
• Managed Services
• Integrated TMS

You get to choose how integrated you want the technology to be with your data and get a specialist to work with you every step of the way. No matter what option you choose, you gain the visibility you are looking for in your supply chain.

What Are You Waiting For?

As a food manufacturer, you need to track your supply chain to stay efficient and safe. Gaining supply chain visibility with technology is needed to stay competitive in your industry and outsourcing to a 3PL can reduce expenses for that investment. Taking advantage of their technology offerings, such as a TMS, can provide you insight and improvements.

Trinity Logistics is well-versed in the food industry and understands your need for visibility. Our team of experts is here to help you manage your operations, offer you the data you want, and give you the choice of how you want to integrate that technology and receive that data.

Shipping produce can be a bit tricky. Produce is time-sensitive to make sure consumers at its freshest. Certain produce can be sensitive to pressure, like peaches, that bruise easily. Other produce requires certain temperatures to keep it at its freshest. It’s a juggling act to make sure your produce is at its highest quality when delivered to your customer.

When shipping produce, you need to consider temperature, shelf life, and transit times. Here are three tips to making the process as easy as possible.

Tip #1:

Give as much lead time as you can for orders.

Normally more time means better shipping capacity. Not every truck can haul fresh produce. Refrigerated trucks or reefers are ideal to transport produce because they can adjust and keep temperatures where they need to be for your product. Especially during produce season, the more lead time, the better chance of finding an available reefer at a decent shipping rate.

Tip #2:

Make sure the carrier or transportation partner you select is FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) compliant.

Passed in 2011 and implemented in 2017, this regulation focuses on maintaining food safety during transportation. Its goal is to prevent illnesses from contaminated food. If found in violation of FSMA, you can be subjected to large fines and even imprisonment.

Tip #3:

Have detention rules clearly laid out.

Communication is key in your part of shipping produce. In the case of a delay at the farm or pick-up location, drivers can be notified ahead of time, keeping everyone on the same page. This also helps build up your reputation as a shipper of choice, so more quality carriers and transportation partners want to work with you.

Shipping produce is one of Trinity’s specialties. With Burris Logistics as our parent company, we have the warehousing, handling, tracking, and shipping solutions to accommodate you. Shipping produce can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. We can help you simplify it.

Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

Food manufacturers have to stay on top of changes, so they don’t fall behind or lose loyal customers. Consumer trends and interests often change, or other market disruptions come out of nowhere. Consumers today care more about health, fast shipping, and the environment. Food safety regulations and unexpected disruptions like the coronavirus have changed the market. Food manufacturers benefit when they choose an experienced 3PL provider who stays informed and can adapt to any changes quickly. This makes for less stress and reduced or no losses in business.

Health Conscious Consumers

Consumers are becoming more health-conscious with their food. They want fewer additives and more natural, organic products. Consumers are buying vegan or plant-based alternatives; food that fits their diet such as Keto, carnivore, or macro-counting. Fewer additives and healthier food mean fresher food with shorter shelf lives. This means quick shipping to keep food fresh and your consumers happy.

Faster Shipping

Due to the Amazon Effect, consumers expect even quicker shipping on everything. Shopping at brick and mortar shops is declining and consumers want to order everything online. According to studies by both Neilson and the Food Market Institute, fifty percent of Americans now buy all of their grocery products online. They want subscription boxes, such as ButcherBox, or meal subscriptions, like HelloFresh, delivered to their doorsteps. Direct to Consumer (D2C) is growing across all industries, especially the food industry.

Environmentally Mindful

With climate change being a hot topic, consumers are more aware of their carbon footprint now more than ever. They want less packaging used for the products they order. They want to know how the brands they shop from stay green and reduce their environmental impact; starting with how the product is made, to the packaging, the shipping, and more. Consumers worry more about how their impact on the environment and that falls back on the manufacturer as well.

Federal Regulations

On top of consumers’ changing demands, there are regulations to keep on top of as well. In recent years, food safety in transportation became a concern, so the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was created. FSMA is still a newer regulation that was put in place April 2017. Food safety in transportation is important, so there could still be changes to the regulation in the future.

Unexpected Disruptions

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly made an impact on food manufacturers in 2020. Uncertainty from the virus caused consumers to buy out grocery stores, creating a high demand for those products. Restaurants shut down or switched to take-out only, causing a reduction in sales. Food manufacturers and the transportation providers they work with had to adapt fast. Hopefully, a crisis like COVID-19 does not happen again, but it is good to be ready for anything and be able to make changes quickly when needed.

Choosing a 3PL provider who stays on top of consumer trends, regulations, and other changes in the food manufacturing industry is important. Having someone who understands your challenges makes working to meet your customer’s demands an easier task.

Trinity Logistics stays informed about what goes on in the food manufacturing industry to better serve you. Concerning the changes mentioned above, Trinity Logistics;
• Makes use of many modes to arrange timely shipping for your natural and organic products.
• Through our parent company, Burris Logistics, we are able to offer you D2C services for faster shipping.
• Is SmartWay certified and has shipping arrangements that are better for the environment.
• Stays knowledgeable on federal regulations that may change shipping practices.
• Are ready to adapt to any huge industry disruption to keep your freight and supply chain moving.

Arranging the shipment of food has become a specialty of Trinity Logistics. When you come to us with problems, we’ll be there ready to offer you solutions. You can count on us.

Organic produce consumption is on the rise, which means so is organic produce shipping. According to a 2017 report done by the Organic Trade Association, organic food sales increased by 8.4 percent in 2016. Produce continues to be the largest organic food category, with a 5.3 percent growth in 2017. Fresh produce accounts for 90 percent of the organic produce sales. With more focus on healthy living, consumers want more foods that are free of toxic or synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors.

Organic produce may come with less unwanted elements, but the trade-off is that it comes with more rules and time sensitivity. Since organic produce is more perishable and has a shorter shelf life, transportation needs to be fast. Nor can there be any break in the cold chain link due to the perishability. Some of the extra steps that have to happen in the transportation process include:

• trucks must be pre-cooled
• trucks must be properly refrigerated and monitored
• most organic foods cannot be stored with other products due to contamination risk
• if stored space is shared, organics must be carefully separated from non-organics
• any equipment used for non-organic products must not be used for organic produce

The goal in the transportation process is to make sure the organic certification is not sabotaged from pick up to delivery. The USDA organic certification process is thorough so consumers can trust the product is truly organic. No one wants to pay the price for an organic item for it to be falsely advertised. Nor does the producer want to lose the organic certification on a product due to a disruption in the transportation process.

Shipping temperature-sensitive items? Check out our Temperature Shipping Guide.

Shipping organic food needs experts who use creative problem-solving skills, have great customer service, and stay up-to-date with regulations. Third-party logistics brokers are a great partner to consider when shipping organic produce. They are flexible and accustomed to solving problems quickly. They are experienced with logistic challenges for a range of customers and industries. Using a 3PL provides you access to their large carrier base, rather than having to search for one yourself. Often these carriers are thoroughly vetted and experienced in specific niches. By using a 3PL, shippers can also gain access to their cutting-edge technology, such as a Transportation Management System. This offers the visibility and monitoring required from pick up to delivery of organic produce. Working with a 3PL offers cold storage warehouse solutions to be available and arranged.

One of the best places to learn more about transparent partnerships when it comes to moving organic produce all over the world is at the Global Organic Produce Expo in Hollywood, Florida, January 28-30th, 2021.  Trinity Logistics, a Burris Logistics company, often exhibits at the expo.  Keep an eye out about our attendance at the expo this year, so we can talk with you in person about your possible freight solutions.

With shipping organic produce and all the regulations that come with it, you must have commitment and a passion for it. Consider choosing a partner who is just as committed to your business needs in shipping organic produce. Trinity Logistics has been in business for over 40 years and has the knowledge and passion for arranging freight of all sorts. Click below to request a quote with Trinity Logistics.

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AUTHOR: Christine Griffith

One of the most complex transportation modes in the logistics industry is refrigerated less-than-truckload (LTL), due to its complexity and limitations. While many shipping providers are not able to accommodate these shipments, those that can will be better able to service your requests if you are aware of the intricacies of this mode of transportation. Despite its complexities, Trinity Logistics is actively working to expand our service offerings for refrigerated LTL.

What is it?

In technical terms, refrigerated (or reefer) LTL is the process of shipping refrigerated or temperature-controlled freight that does not require the space of an entire trailer (full truckload). A refrigerated trailer maintains the freight at a specified temperature range to prevent the product from deteriorating or becoming damaged. For example, frozen fish would move under a temperature range of 0 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit, while chilled beverages would move under a range of 36 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Refrigerated LTL ships at a temperature range, not at a specific degree – we’ll provide more information on that later.

What makes it different than other modes of transportation?

Refrigerated LTL is a little different than regular dry LTL, and other modes of transportation, because reefer LTL carriers do not operate within the same pickup time parameters.

To put things into perspective, an LTL carrier may be able to pick up just about every day, Monday through Friday. However, a refrigerated LTL carrier has set days that they pick up, depending on the region. For example, if a refrigerated LTL carrier picks up in Los Angeles on Thursdays and Fridays only, then the shipper would not be able to ship anything with them Monday through Wednesday.

The same can be said for refrigerated LTL carriers’ delivery schedules, which also run on a weekly parameter. Meaning that, if a carrier only delivers to Boston on Tuesdays, then freight picked up the week before will only be able to be delivered on the following Tuesday.

Another thing to keep in mind is that shipping LTL means that other customers’ freight will be on the same truck as yours. With reefer LTL, freight that needs to be maintained at a similar range in temperature will be put on the same truck. Shipping multiple customers’ freight on the same trailer is only made possible by this consolidation based on temperature range.

Why is it harder to arrange?

Reefer LTL can be difficult to arrange because it revolves around a very limited and specific time schedule. The schedule that the carrier can offer for pickups and deliveries might not coincide with the shipper’s needs.

Aside from managing shipments within the timeframe offered by the carrier, reefer LTL can be slightly more difficult due to the freight that is hauled. Maintaining proper temperature while in transit can add another layer of complexity to each shipment.

On top of the reasons above, there are a limited number of refrigerated LTL providers in the U.S.

Is it expensive?

Unfortunately, due to the equipment needed, as well as the nature of the commodities being hauled, reefer LTL is almost always more expensive than dry LTL. Carriers need to take into consideration the perishability of the shipment, as well as the costs incurred from maintaining the temperature in the trailer when figuring their prices.

How can I get the best rate?

Working with a third-party logistics company (3PL), like Trinity Logistics, can help you get the best rate possible when shipping via refrigerated LTL. 3PL’s can secure the best pricing through contracts with reefer LTL carriers, as they have high volumes of freight to move.

As an added benefit, working with Trinity can take a lot of hassle out of arranging reefer LTL shipments. Trinity’s LTL representatives can take care of quoting, building, and dispatching your pickups. They can also negotiate rates on your behalf, as well as track your shipments from start to finish. Although this mode is complex and difficult, we are actively working to expand our refrigerated LTL service offerings and invite you to learn more. To get a reefer LTL quote, click here.