The United States imports much of its fresh foods, from meat to produce. Those products that aren’t imported are grown all over the country, and are then shipped throughout the entire United States to deliver these goods to people all across the country. Oranges don’t grow well in Maine, and Avocados aren’t going to thrive in Minnesota like they will in California, so insulated shipping is necessary in order to get fresh food to those who need it across the country and around the world.
Tips For Shipping Fresh Food
Food distributors ship fresh food, and so do average folks looking to share their regional delicacies with friends and loved ones far away. Shipping fresh food does require some specific preparation and packaging, however, if you wish for that food to arrive unspoiled and just as delicious as it was when it left its home destination. A few tips for shipping fresh food anywhere in the country or the world are:
• Choose the right shipping materials first – Shipping delicate foods is going to take different protections than shipping clothing or a stuffed toy. Plastic zippered bags or containers, fruit netting, bubble wrap, and foam peanuts may all be used to ensure the contents aren’t squashed, banged up, or otherwise ruined.
• Pick the right box – After choosing the right shipping materials, you’ll want to focus on choosing the right box or boxes. Always ship food products in new boxes, and recycle old boxes when they are received. Boxes should never be reused when shipping fresh food.
• Pick your insulation wisely – Choosing proper insulation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when shipping fresh foods. For frozen foods, you want to keep from thawing, for fresh produce or meats, you want to keep the temperature cold in order to stop potential spoilage. Insulated shipping materials and cool packs are a great bet for smaller shipments, while large loads benefit best from pallet covers and container blankets.
• Ship quickly – Quick shipping can ensure that your fresh food shipment gets to where it needs to go when it needs to be there. A good trick to follow is to ship fresh or frozen foods early on in the week, as shipping company schedules tend to slow over the weekend, which means your fresh food shipment may end up sitting around for longer than you’d like.
