What Is Freight Procurement and How Does It Work?
Moving food shipments through the supply chain without causing damage is arguably one of the most important jobs in the industry. And rightfully so! After all, who enjoys contaminated or spoiled food items?
Thankfully, when it comes to food shipments (especially produce), modern supply chains are much more efficient than in past years. However, just because this process has improved over the years, that doesn't mean that incidents don't still happen. It is still quite possible for mistakes to occur that can negatively impact the quality and integrity of our global food supply.
We all depend on fresh food products to sustain life. Therefore, it's more important than ever to enact procedures that can reduce the potential of spoilage or shipping delays of dry goods.
In this blog post, we'll explore two primary areas that can help protect your food shipments: traceability and packaging improvements. These tips, as simple as they may seem, can greatly reduce the potential of problems with the integrity and quality of your future food shipments.
Ready to learn a few useful tips?
Let's get to it!
Verify the Traceability of Food Movements
We can thank the FDA and USDA for protecting our food shipments through constant tracking and monitoring of movement.
Regulations passed and signed into law by Congress since the late 1990s have ensured that food is monitored and tracked relentlessly. Technologies such as GPS, the Blockchain, and cloud-based tech helps us to fulfill these regulations with relative ease. Not only does this help to boost consumer confidence in the safe movement of our food, but it also reduces the spread of food-borne illness.
Since nearly 50 percent of all food-related illness and damage occurs at the supply chain level, it's critical to verify that all food shipments are tracked from start to finish. From the moment food is processed, right through to the storage and finally, the delivery. All steps need proper monitoring, tracking, and adjustments where needed.
It behooves all shippers to verify that their carriers utilize tracking technology or other equipment and processes that meet this same goal. Not only will this reduce the potential of damage, it also verifies the shipper follows all regulations for traceability.
In short, if your carriers cannot provide close monitoring of the food products they move for you, find a new carrier immediately!
Improve Packaging
Most freight damage within the food supply chain occurs on the road during the actual transport of the goods.
However, when investigations are completed, the root issue tends to fall back to the packaging or freight stacking procedures used by the shipper. Some of the most common sources of food freight damage include broken pallets being used, heavy freight stacked on top of light freight, or products that are not properly secured to the pallet.
As such, to avoid the potential of damaged food products, follow these basic packing best practices:
Never use a damaged pallet
It's important to inspect each pallet before stacking products on them. Make sure all bottom and top boards are secured and not broken. When in doubt, recycle the broken pallet and use one that shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Cross stack your boxes
It's also important to cross-stack pallets when you have boxes or heavier packages. Doing such will help to distribute weight equally on the pallet.
To do this, simply rotate each new layer of boxes so that they are each running lengthwise in opposite directions. Think of it as a competitive game of Jenga!
Oh, and on that note, make sure that you place heavier boxes on the bottom-most layers. As you move up the stack, add lighter boxes to the top. This will keep your boxes from shifting around too much and potentially crushing the other boxes.
Use high-quality shrinkwrap
Once all packages are stacked on good pallets, the final step is to wrap them in a high-quality shrink wrap. While it might be tempting to use cheaper materials, this could end up costing you even more money in the end. That's the high cost of cutting corners!
Work with Proven Carriers
There are some carriers who are better than others when it comes to shipping food throughout the supply chain. Whether it's their on-time delivery record, reduced damage freight claims, or compliance with all shipping regulations, it's always best to work with carriers who are at the top of their food supply chain game.
Redwood's Modern 4PL approach can help you find, rate, and schedule the most qualified carriers within your food segment. From dry food shipments to temperature-sensitive logistics, Redwood's extensive carrier network and RedwoodConnect technology integration tie your entire supply chain together, helping you optimize shipping costs while maintaining product integrity.
Final Thoughts
Protecting food shipments requires attention to both traceability and packaging best practices. By verifying carrier tracking capabilities and implementing proper packing procedures, you can significantly reduce the risk of spoilage and damage throughout your supply chain.
If you would like to improve the efficiency of your food shipments, contact the shipping experts at Redwood Logistics today!
FAQs
How can I reduce damage to food shipments during transport?
You can reduce damage to food shipments by focusing on two things: traceability and packaging. Make sure every shipment is tracked from processing through storage and delivery, and verify that carriers use reliable monitoring tools. On the packaging side, inspect pallets, stack heavier boxes on the bottom, cross-stack when appropriate, and use high-quality shrink wrap to keep products secure.
Why is traceability so important for food shipments?
Traceability is important because it helps monitor food from start to finish and supports food safety compliance. The article notes that FDA and USDA oversight, along with tools like GPS, blockchain, and cloud-based systems, make it easier to track movement and reduce spoilage or food-borne illness. If a carrier cannot provide close monitoring, that is a warning sign.
What packaging mistakes cause the most food freight damage?
The most common packaging problems are damaged pallets, poor stacking, and unsecured product loads. Using broken pallets, placing heavy freight on top of light freight, or failing to secure boxes properly can all lead to crushed or shifted goods. Good packaging practices help prevent damage before the shipment even leaves the dock.
How should food boxes be stacked on a pallet to prevent damage?
Food boxes should be cross-stacked to distribute weight more evenly, and heavier boxes should go on the bottom layers. Rotating each layer in opposite directions helps stabilize the load and reduce shifting in transit. This stacking method lowers the chance of boxes collapsing, crushing lighter items, or breaking apart during transport.
Should I ever use a damaged pallet for food freight?
No, you should not use a damaged pallet for food freight. Each pallet should be inspected before loading to confirm that the top and bottom boards are secure and unbroken. If a pallet shows wear, damage, or instability, it should be recycled and replaced with one in better condition.
How do proven carriers help reduce food shipment damage?
Proven carriers help reduce food shipment damage by offering better on-time performance, stronger compliance, and fewer freight claims. Carriers with reliable tracking and handling processes are more likely to protect product integrity throughout the supply chain. Choosing the right carrier matters for both dry food shipments and temperature-sensitive logistics.
What is the role of high-quality shrink wrap in food shipping?
High-quality shrink wrap helps hold stacked food products together and keeps them from shifting during transit. Once pallets are properly loaded, wrapping them securely adds another layer of protection against movement and damage. Using cheaper wrap may save money upfront, but it can lead to higher costs if product integrity is compromised.
