Protecting Freshness: What It Takes to Move Produce the Right Way
In produce transportation, good enough isn't good enough. Perishable freight demands precision, speed, and control at every mile—and failure at any point in the cold chain can turn a profitable load into a costly loss.
At Driven Group, we’ve been moving fresh freight for over 20 years. We understand what it takes to protect temperature-sensitive cargo from the field to the final destination. Here's how we approach produce logistics—and why the right 3PL can make or break your cold chain performance.
Cold Chain Success Starts Before the Truck Arrives
Produce doesn’t wait. Whether it’s berries, lettuce, or citrus, time is always working against you. That’s why we begin planning long before the first pallet is loaded.
What we do:
- Confirm temperature requirements and product-specific handling needs
- Verify shipper and receiver dock hours to minimize dwell
- Pre-cool trailers to the correct set point before arrival
- Pair freight with drivers trained in cold chain SOPs
Our goal is simple: keep product cold, moving, and compliant.
Visibility and Communication Are Non-Negotiable
With cold chain freight, surprises are unacceptable. Whether you're shipping a partial truckload of avocados or a full trailer of strawberries, visibility matters.
Driven Group provides:
- Real-time tracking with temperature monitoring
- Immediate alerts for route delays, reefer issues, or setpoint deviations
- 24/7 operations support to address issues before they become losses
We keep clients informed every step of the way—and we don't go silent when things get complicated.
Transit Time = Shelf Life
Every hour on the road impacts the final shelf life of produce. Delays at pickup, extended unload times, or inefficient routing can all result in rejected loads and dissatisfied receivers.
How we prevent it:
- Prioritize direct routing or minimal-touch transfers
- Avoid unnecessary cross-docking or waiting time
- Maintain strict temperature integrity from origin to destination
We treat every cold chain shipment like it’s high-risk—because it is.
Know the Requirements. Meet the Standards. Every Time.
The cold chain isn’t just about avoiding spoilage—it’s about meeting compliance requirements and retail expectations. From FSMA to specific retailer SOPs, we make sure the right procedures are followed, documented, and auditable.
Our team:
- Verifies BOLs and load instructions match compliance needs
- Ensures reefer units are calibrated and set correctly
- Keeps records on-hand for post-shipment QA
This level of detail keeps loads moving and reputations intact.
Driven Group: Built for Cold Freight
Not every 3PL understands the urgency and precision required for produce. At Driven Group, we specialize in it. With access to refrigerated assets, vetted carrier partners, and a cold-chain-trained operations team, we move fresh freight the way it’s meant to be moved—fast, safe, and on temp.
Whether you're shipping from farms in Florida, packing houses in California, or cross-docking in the Northeast, we have the experience, coverage, and commitment to deliver.
Need a partner who treats fresh freight like a priority—not an afterthought?
Check out how Driven Group can strengthen your cold chain.
