Supermarket managers and consumers alike love the warmer months of the year because fresh, delicious produce abounds. Unfortunately, it can be a little tricky for farmers and other producers to ship all that fresh produce without having it wilt or spoil en route. Use the following tricks to reduce spoilage rates and help more of your produce reach its destination at the peak of freshness.
Choose a compliant carrier.
The selection of a shipping carrier is more important than you might think. In 2011, Congress passed the Food Modernization Safety Act (FMSA). This law was implemented in 2017. Its goal is to reduce the outbreak of illnesses due to contaminated food, and part of the law is focused on the transport of food. Under the FMSA, all vehicles and workers involved with transporting food must adhere to the following requirements:
- Food must be kept at a safe temperature during transport.
- Vehicles must be clean.
- Carriers must implement appropriate training measures.
- Carriers must have documentation of compliance.
If you don’t choose a compliant carrier, your produce may get held up when trucks are flagged for violations.
Include the appropriate temperature on the BOL.
The bill of lading is a document required to move all freight cargo. It acts as a contract and a title document. You can also include special instructions on the BOL, including the right temperature to ship your produce. Depending on the specific item, the right temperature may be anywhere from 32 degrees to 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are a few examples:
- 32 to 36 degrees: apples, blueberries, grapes, and salad greens
- 38 to 40 degrees: cranberries and avocados
- 45 to 50 degrees: cucumbers and watermelon
- 55 to 60 degrees: early potatoes
Use expedited freight services.
Produce has a very short shelf life. A delay in transit of even just a day could mean the loss of thousands of dollars of revenue. Play it safe and choose expedited freight services for your produce.
Xcel Delivery Services offers a wide range of shipping solutions for every business’ needs, including options for temperature-sensitive cargo. Call us today to discuss how you can get great rates with our less than truckload (LTL), routed and scheduled, or expedited freight services. You can reach our friendly staff in Tucson at (520) 355-4897.
