Produce Transportation Faces Higher Costs, Tighter Capacity and Border Challenges

Produce transportation may be operating at a more stable level today, but higher costs, seasonal demand, capacity pressure, and ongoing market uncertainty continue to shape the road ahead. For produce shippers, understanding where the market is headed—and preparing before conditions tighten—is critical to maintaining reliable transportation.

In a recent Produce Business article, Jim Anderson, Division Vice President at Lily Transportation, shares his perspective on current truck availability and rates, along with what transportation leaders should be watching as market conditions evolve.

What should produce shippers be preparing for next? Read the full article here for Jim’s perspective and a closer look at the transportation trends affecting the produce industry.

Summer-Proof Your Cold Chain: Temperature-Controlled Logistics Without Compromise

 

Summer heat exposes every weak point in a cold chain. Refrigerated trailers work harder, docks run hotter, and holiday demand stretches people and processes. Food and beverage freshness and pharmaceutical potency depend on one thing, and one thing only, tight temperature control with proof at every handoff.

Lily Transportation designs cold-chain systems that perform under stress. Since 1958, our approach has been the same, engineer the operation first, then scale it with dedicated people, equipment, and technology. If you are preparing for July heat or back-to-school surges, this guide outlines the FSMA-ready, HACCP-aligned practices that keep product safe, auditors satisfied, and customers confident.

What temperature-controlled shipping really means

Temperature-controlled shipping uses insulated or actively refrigerated equipment to keep cargo within a validated temperature range from pickup to delivery. In practice, it is more than a reefer switch. It is a managed control plan with trailer pre-cool, locked setpoints by commodity, airflow verification, continuous data logging, geofencing, and documented chain of custody. When done right, it prevents temperature excursions and provides evidence that you controlled risk at each step.

Which cargo requires it? Perishable foods such as dairy, produce, meat, seafood, and frozen items; beverages including kombucha, juices, and beer that are sensitive to heat; and pharmaceuticals such as vaccines, biologics, and many specialty drugs that must stay within strict ranges. Some cosmetics, chemicals, and nutraceuticals also require controlled temperatures to preserve efficacy and shelf life.

Cold chain in logistics, defined and operationalized

A cold chain is the end-to-end system that maintains required temperatures from origin to final delivery. It spans storage, handling, transportation, and every control point between those steps. An audit-ready cold chain is documented and repeatable. Lily aligns to FSMA and HACCP principles with:

  • Validated SOPs that specify setpoints, pre-cool durations, sensor calibration intervals, and corrective actions
  • Trailer pre-cool and verified lockout of temperature setpoints by commodity and lane
  • Airflow and load placement standards, including return-air clearance and pallet spacing
  • Continuous data logging with calibrated telematics, driver pre-trip checks, and en route verifications

These controls form the backbone of a cold chain solution, a coordinated set of processes, equipment, and oversight that reduce waste, protect quality, and simplify compliance.

Summer risk scenarios you must plan for

Heat introduces three predictable risks, all preventable with engineered workflows.

  1. Door-open dwell at docks. Long staging or loading times with doors open can spike return-air temperatures. Lily counters with door discipline, dock scheduling that sequences cold loads, and extended dock hours to cut wait time. If a delay occurs, drivers document the event, maintain reefer at high-idle continuous mode as required, and capture time-stamped temps to prove control.
  1. Hot lanes and slow traffic. Southbound and desert corridors, afternoon urban congestion, and mountain grades stack thermal load on units. Lily routes around peak heat when feasible, uses geofenced alerts for known hot zones, and shifts departure times. If real-time temp trends rise toward thresholds, dispatch triggers a mid-route verification stop or transfer per SOP before quality is compromised.
  1. Heatwaves and surge volatility. Network-wide heat pushes equipment to limits while volumes spike. Lily pre-positions assets, deploys drop trailers to cut door time, and supplements dedicated fleets with asset-backed brokerage for overflow. If capacity tightens, our escalation protocol prioritizes high-risk commodities and vaccine courier windows to preserve clinical and food safety first.

Corrective action, before product is at risk

FSMA-ready means you do not wait for a breach. Lily uses continuous monitoring and exception playbooks so the team knows exactly what to do next:

  • Trend deviation detected, verify sensor health, compare return-air, discharge-air, and in-box probes, then validate with a manual check
  • Adjust unit mode per SOP (continuous vs start-stop), confirm fuel and condenser cleanliness, and reduce door cycles
  • If thresholds approach excursion, initiate contingency, priority door-at-next-stop, alternate cross-dock, or equipment swap
  • Document steps with time-stamped records, photos where required, and signatures to preserve chain of custody

These workflows are trained, drilled, and audited. The result is fewer excursions and faster, cleaner audits.

Airflow and load placement, where most excursions start

Even perfect setpoints can fail with poor airflow. We engineer spacing at the nose and sidewalls, maintain 4 to 6 inches of return-air gap, avoid blocking floor channels, and use load locks that do not crush cartons. For mixed-temp LTL, we zone by commodity and risk profile, validate with multi-probe logging, and sequence deliveries to limit door time on the most sensitive pallets.

Data, geofencing, and chain of custody that stands up in an audit

Compliance is proof. Lily integrates telematics, ELD, and geofencing to create an unbroken record: trailer pre-cool time and target, actual temperatures through pickup, sealed-door photos, signatures at each handoff, georeferenced dwell, and POD with final temp. Roadside Inspection mode and automatic log transfer streamline interactions without exposing private data. Your quality team receives clean, searchable records that align to HACCP verification.

For broader network improvements that tie cold chain to planning and visibility, see our logistics management overview and how it connects to engineered, third-party logistics providers if you manage multi-mode programs. Explore these resources if helpful:

Summer surge controls, a quick checklist

Use this list to harden your operation before the next heat spike:

  • Pre-positioned reefers and genset-equipped trailers at high-risk DCs and stores
  • Trailer pre-cool verification scanned to the load file before doors open
  • Drop-trailer programs at key origins to shorten door-open dwell
  • Extended dock hours and sequenced appointments to load cold freight first
  • Surge staffing, including night shifts to avoid hot-lane departures
  • Contingency lanes and approved alternates for equipment swaps and cross-docks

Short vignettes from the field

Holiday ice cream surge. Volumes doubled over a 10-day window across southern lanes during a heatwave. We staged drop trailers with validated pre-cool, locked setpoints at -20 F for deep-frozen SKUs, and shifted linehauls to nighttime. Geofenced alerts flagged three extended dock holds caused by last-minute store pulls. Drivers followed door-discipline SOPs, units ran continuous, and dispatch executed priority door-at-next-stop for two loads. Outcome, zero excursions, on-time delivery rates held above target.

Vaccine courier windows. A regional clinic network required 2 to 8 C control with 3-hour delivery windows across metro congestion. We validated equipment calibration weekly, staged backup reefers, and used dual-sensor logging with real-time alerts. One vehicle encountered an unexpected protest closure. The team executed contingency routing, pre-alerted consignee, and performed a sealed transfer within the time window with full chain-of-custody documentation.

FAQ, quick answers to common questions

  • What is temperature-controlled shipping? It is the use of insulated or refrigerated equipment and documented procedures to keep cargo within a validated temperature range from origin to delivery, with continuous monitoring and proof of control.
  • Which cargo requires temperature-controlled transportation? Perishable foods, frozen goods, beverages sensitive to heat, pharmaceuticals such as vaccines and biologics, and select chemicals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.
  • What is a cold chain in logistics? The end-to-end, temperature-managed system, including storage, handling, transport, and audits that maintain required temperatures with verifiable records at every handoff.
  • What are the risks of cold storage? Inadequate airflow, door-open dwell, mis-set or unlocked setpoints, sensor drift, equipment failure, and heatwaves that increase thermal load. Strong SOPs, preventive maintenance, and continuous logging mitigate these risks.
  • What is a cold chain solution? A coordinated set of SOPs, people, equipment, and technology, aligned to FSMA and HACCP, that prevents excursions and supplies audit-ready documentation across the entire journey.

If you are evaluating dedicated capacity to execute these controls day in and day out, you can explore Lily’s cold chain logistics capabilities here: LilyFood Logistics | Food and Beverage Logistics

Why Lily for an audit-ready summer

Lily’s Dedicated Contract Carriage model embeds on-site leadership, branded equipment, and trained drivers who know your lanes and dock realities. We bring validated SOPs, trailer pre-cool and setpoint lock, airflow and load-placement verification, continuous data logging, geofencing, and sealed chain-of-custody documentation. Surge playbooks cover pre-positioned assets, drop trailers, extended dock hours, and 24/7 exception management. When the heat rises, the system holds.

For shippers planning route redesigns or considering dedicated transportation to stabilize dock-to-door flow, our team can also align broader supply chain solutions that improve reliability and reduce waste. Learn more about how supply chain management services support resilience: LilyDedicated Carrier Services | Transportation Services

Summary and next step

Summer is not a surprise, it is a stress test. An engineered, FSMA-ready, HACCP-aligned cold chain uses validated SOPs, pre-cool and locked setpoints, airflow discipline, continuous data logging, geofencing, and sealed chain-of-custody records to prevent excursions and simplify audits. With Lily Transportation, you get a safety-first, operations-led partner who plans for risk and proves performance.

Book a temperature-controlled readiness review with Lily. We will assess your lanes, equipment, SOPs, and surge playbooks, then recommend practical upgrades you can implement before the next heatwave. We are ready when you are.

JELINEK & WILSON: STATE OF THE COLD CHAIN 3PL MARKET

By Jim Jelinek, President of Warehousing, Roadtex, an Echo Global Logistics Company, and Scott Wilson, Vice President of Operations

The cold chain industry continues to evolve as providers invest in technology, visibility, automation, and operational efficiency to meet growing customer demands. In Food Logistics’ latest State of Cold Chain 3PL Market feature, industry leaders share how innovation is helping organizations improve supply chain performance, strengthen service levels, and navigate an increasingly complex transportation environment. Jim Jelinek and Scott Wilson contribute their perspectives on the technologies, strategies, and operational improvements shaping the future of cold chain logistics.

👉 Read the full Food Logistics article: State of Cold Chain 3PL Market.

Jim Jelinek is President of Warehousing for Roadtex, an Echo Global Logistics company. Scott Wilson serves as Vice President of Operations, helping lead strategic initiatives focused on delivering innovative, efficient, and customer-focused cold chain solutions nationwide.

JELINEK: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

By Jim Jelinek, President of Warehousing, Roadtex, an Echo Global Logistics Company

The cold chain industry continues to face rising costs, transportation disruptions, and evolving customer expectations. In Food Logistics’ latest feature on Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers, industry leaders discuss the challenges shaping today’s supply chain landscape and the opportunities driving future growth. Jim Jelinek shares insights on network density, operational efficiency, disruption management, and the importance of real-time intelligence in helping customers navigate an increasingly complex logistics environment. 

👉 Read the full Food Logistics article: “The Good, the Bad and the Opportunity for Growth: Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers.” 

Jim Jelinek is President of Warehousing for Roadtex, an Echo Global Logistics company. He oversees warehousing operations and strategic initiatives focused on delivering efficient, technology-driven supply chain solutions for customers nationwide.

Cold Chain Confidence: Building Temperature-Controlled Logistics That Never Break

Cold Chain Confidence: Building Temperature-Controlled Logistics That Never Break

Winter is when temperature control is truly tested. Holiday surges, tight delivery windows, and unpredictable storms can turn a routine shipment into a high stakes operation. If you ship food, beverages, or pharmaceuticals, you need a cold chain that is engineered to hold up under pressure. This guide gives you a step-by-step playbook to design and operate a resilient program in Q4 and the winter months, along with a partner validation checklist and KPI dashboard examples you can put to work today.

Start with the basics: what a cold chain is and why it matters

A cold chain in logistics is the end-to-end system that keeps temperature sensitive products within a defined range from origin to final delivery. It includes packaging, storage, handling, and transportation steps, supported by monitoring and documentation. Temperature controlled shipping is the execution of that system in transit, using equipment and processes that maintain conditions like frozen, chilled, or controlled room temperature.

 

Which cargo requires temperature controlled transportation? Typical categories include:

 

  • Perishable foods: dairy, meat, seafood, produce, frozen items

  • Beverages: craft beer, dairy alternatives, juices

  • Pharmaceuticals and biologics: vaccines, insulin, specialty injectables, blood products

  • Chemicals and lab reagents that are heat or freeze sensitive

  • Cosmetics and nutraceuticals with stability requirements

 

Vaccines that need a cold chain include mRNA vaccines that typically require ultra low temperatures, many routine childhood vaccines that need 2 to 8°C, and some formulations that require frozen conditions. Always follow the product label and governing guidance, then validate with your QA team.

Use the Four R’s to frame your program

The Four R’s of cold chain help you build discipline:

 

  • Right temperature: define ranges by SKU and lane, from deep frozen to CRT

  • Right equipment: match packaging, trailers, and sensors to the risk profile

  • Right handling: standardize loading, sealing, and delivery procedures

  • Right documentation: maintain proof of control for audits and recalls

 

Keep these points visible in every SOP and on your dashboard.

Step 1: Lane profiling and seasonal risk mapping

Profile each lane before peak season:

 

  • Temperature bands and setpoints, including pre-cool requirements

  • Transit time by day of week and service level, plus buffer time for winter

  • Hand-off points: cross docks, DCs, consignees, airport or port interfaces

  • Weather and altitude risks, freeze exposure risk, and dwell time hotspots

  • Capacity stressors in Q4: holiday closures, driver availability, delivery appointment congestion

 

Translate the profile into a control plan. Add contingency carriers or modes for the lanes with the highest exposure.

Step 2: Packaging and equipment selection

Choose solutions that protect the product, not just the trailer:

 

  • Packaging: insulated shippers, phase change materials, gel packs, dry ice, thermal blankets

  • Trailer types: reefers with multi temp zones, bulkheads for mixed loads, air chutes for even airflow

  • Palletization: airflow friendly stacking, slip sheets to avoid floor freeze, cornerboard to protect cartons

  • Sensors: data loggers, Bluetooth or cellular devices, door open sensors, real time GPS with temperature telemetry

 

For winter, evaluate freeze protection for beverages and liquids that cannot drop below 32°F. Consider thermal quilts, higher setpoints with more frequent monitoring, and protect during dock dwell with portable heaters or warmed staging zones.

Step 3: Real time visibility and alerting

Real time visibility is your early warning system. Equip shipments with devices that report temperature, location, and door activity. Set alerts for out of range temperatures, prolonged dwell, route deviations, and late appointment risk. Integrate status into your control tower or TMS so your team can act quickly. If you use a partner, confirm they can provide live data and historical audit trails.

Step 4: SOPs for excursions and winter contingencies

Excursions happen. The difference is how fast you respond. Build a rapid response SOP that includes:

 

  • Decision trees by product: when to hold, rework, or destroy

  • Roles and escalation paths across QA, operations, and the carrier

  • On the road actions: adjust setpoint, move product away from vents, refuel or swap equipment, re-ice

  • Winter contingencies: storm rerouting, overnight secure parking, tire chains policy, and terminal transfers that maintain temperature control

  • Documentation: time stamped notes, sensor downloads, photos of seals and thermographs

 

Test the SOP with tabletop drills before the first snow arrives.

Step 5: Audit ready documentation

Auditors look for proof, not promises. Maintain:

 

  • Validated lane profiles and packaging qualifications

  • Pre trip and post trip inspections, fuel and setpoint records, seal numbers

  • Calibrations for sensors and trailer probes

  • Chain of custody logs at every hand-off

  • Exception records, root cause analyses, and corrective actions

 

Keep records organized by lane and product family so you can respond quickly to customer or regulatory requests.

The risks of cold storage and how to mitigate them

Cold storage risks include temperature excursions from compressor failure, icing that blocks airflow, door management issues, and microbial hazards caused by improper sanitation. There is also slip and fall risk, forklift visibility issues in low light, and product damage from condensation. Mitigation steps:

 

  • Preventive maintenance and backup power plans

  • Door discipline, strip curtains, and staged picking to minimize open time

  • Racking inspections and airflow audits

  • Sanitation SOPs that cover defrost cycles and moisture control

  • Safety training that focuses on winter footwear, three points of contact, and visibility

Validate your partners: the quick checklist

Use this list when vetting 3rd party partners in peak season:

 

  • Equipment: late model reefers, multi temp capability, documented PM schedules, calibrated probes

  • Technology: live temperature and GPS feeds, shareable dashboards, alerting and audit exports

  • SOPs: written loading procedures, seal control, fuel management, winter weather policy

  • Compliance: FSMA, GDP for pharma where applicable, driver training records, clean inspection history

  • Capacity: surge coverage in Q4, drop trailer options, on call maintenance

  • Claims and QA: excursion response plan, root cause process, CAPA documentation

  • References: similar commodities and lanes, service performance proof

KPI dashboard examples to keep you on track

Build a simple but disciplined KPI set:

 

  • On time percentage by lane and customer appointment type

  • Temperature compliance rate, shipments with zero excursions, average excursion duration

  • Dwell time at origin and destination, plus yard time

  • Trailer utilization, multi temp cube usage, fuel stops per trip

  • Incident rate, sealed load variance, corrective action closure time

  • Cost per order and cost per mile alongside service metrics

 

Review weekly in peak season. Daily during storms.

How to improve supply chain efficiency without risking control

You can improve supply chain efficiency by standardizing lanes, right sizing equipment, and eliminating avoidable dwell. Use packaging that matches the risk so you do not over engineer low risk lanes. Consolidate orders to optimize cube where possible. Deploy real time visibility to prevent problems instead of paying to fix them later. Tighten appointment discipline with pre-booked windows. Where volumes justify it, consider dedicated transportation with drivers trained to your SOPs and setpoints.

Where Lily fits in your winter plan

Since 1958, Lily Transportation has designed dedicated logistics systems for temperature sensitive operations, on time, on budget, every time. If you need guaranteed capacity, disciplined SOPs, and a single accountable team, Lily’s dedicated transportation solutions combine trained drivers, late model refrigerated equipment, and live visibility tailored to your lanes. When surge coverage or one off lanes spike during Q4, Lily’s brokerage network provides compliant refrigerated FTL with vetted partners and real time monitoring.

 

If you are aligning your network for the holidays, you may also benefit from:

 

  • Cold chain solutions for food and beverage programs that rely on precise temperature control

  • Temperature-controlled shipping with real time visibility and audited documentation

  • Brokerage support for ftl transportation when your dedicated assets are fully committed

Summary: your cold chain, built for winter

A resilient cold chain starts with clear definitions, disciplined lane profiles, and the Four R’s. It is powered by the right mix of packaging, equipment, and live data. It stays compliant with SOPs that anticipate excursions and winter weather. It is proven through audit ready records and a partner bench you trust. Put the checklist to work, track the KPIs that matter, and lean on partners who live this every day. When you are ready to strengthen your program for peak season and beyond, Lily Transportation is here to help with dedicated coverage and flexible surge capacity.