Keeping Your Produce Safe From A to B

The logistical hurdles of moving any product from one place to another can be challenging, but when that product is fresh produce it becomes even more difficult to navigate those obstacles. The importance of excellent supply chain management becomes evident when dealing with perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, and care must be taken to ensure that the product arrives at its destination fresh and properly handled. Two of the more prominent and important components of this farm-to-table supply chain include produce warehousing and produce transportation. Quality control and efficiency in both of these areas are essential and a lack thereof can cause spoilage, loss of profit, and various other avoidable mishaps.

Produce Warehousing

Produce warehousing, or the storage of fresh goods for sale and distribution at a later date, have obvious implications on food safety and quality. The warehousing of various types of fruits and vegetables requires expert knowledge and experience as each type of produce – from apples to zucchinis, and even fresh flowers – has certain specific requirements. The facility in which the produce is stored must take into account and be able to control for humidity, temperature variation, ventilation needs, and other factors that contribute to the overall quality and shelf life of the produce. Organization of the produce warehouse plays a crucial role in the efficiency and accuracy of the services provided. Various storage zones within the warehouse itself can help to preserve quality of the produce and create an environment that follows food safety guidelines and regulations. Good organization and proper storage of these facilities is not only important for maintaining quality product, but is key to faster distribution as well. Not surprisingly, technology has reached as far as produce warehouses too, and the automation of certain processes has helped to further proficiency and productivity. For example, the tracking of inventory and shipments has become automated in many warehouses, and some of the large-scale operations even rely on robotics for handling of produce and containers. Relying on these automated systems and services means that shipments are processed accurately and quickly, which often spells savings for everyone involved in the transaction. It’s clear that everything from the rack system used, to the type and stability of the storage containers, can impact the freshness of the produce and allow for a seamless transition from warehouse to truck. As is the case with produce warehousing, the transportation of the produce is equally complex and important. Mismanagement of the transportation portion of the supply chain can be just as detrimental as improper storage, which can lead to waste of product, loss of profit,and unhappy customers.

Produce Transportation

Produce transportation is, simply put, the moving of the product from the field or point of origin to the point of use or retail. Hauling produce can be a logistical challenge and getting the produce from A to B in a timely manner, while ensuring proper refrigeration and sanitary transportation, requires great care and knowledge. In the United States, and much of North America, trucking companies and their transportation partners rely on refrigerated trucks to ship their produce from field to table. Produce shipped in this way is able to better maintain its freshness in taste, quality, and appearance, not only making it more desirable for the consumer, but also safer. In 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law and has allowed stricter monitoring of all aspects of food processing, as well as improved prevention of foodborne illnesses and contamination. This legislation holds accountable all those involved in the United States food system – from farmers to importers – in an effort to take a proactive approach to food safety, rather than a reactive one.

With food safety being a top priority, it’s not hard to see why produce shipment requires as much care and attention as any other food-based business. The importance of maintaining consistent and correct temperatures cannot be overstated, especially given the fragility of fresh fruits and vegetables. The shelf life of produce is minimal, and spoilage can occur within days, making an efficient and seamless transportation system non-negotiable. Improper handling, loss of time due to shipping delays, incorrect temperature, all spell disaster and profit loss when dealing with a product with such a short shelf life. These pressures double after growing season, when fresh crops are harvested and shipped and the volume of product increases drastically. Luckily, technology has leant a hand here as well, with advancements in temperature monitoring and regulation, GPS tracking, and more, it is now easier than ever to get real-time information on shipments. Temperatures in a truck can be monitored remotely and its location can be checked instantaneously, all of which has contributed to better handling and control of the produce transportation, which means better quality upon delivery. As with any business, proper and competent management of the supply chain is not only important, it is vital to the success and longevity of the business and industry. Produce warehousing and produce transportation are not an exception to this rule, in fact, it is arguably more crucial to ensure optimal handling and transport of fresh produce given its short shelf life and its specific and demanding storage requirements. Proper warehousing and transportation is necessary not only for food safety purposes, such as preventing contamination and development or spread of microbial or bacterial pathogens, but also for delivering fresh, quality products to retailers and customers alike.

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