Start with the product, not only the lane
Berries, leafy greens, citrus, tropical fruit, and potatoes do not all travel the same way. The set point, whether the trailer must be pre-cooled, whether the unit runs continuously, and how sensitive the product is to delays all depend on the commodity. Use the temperature your shipper or receiver specifies. A typical fresh set point is often in the mid-30s Fahrenheit, but that is not a rule for every item, and it is not a substitute for the number on your order.
Pulp temperature and the unit’s set point are not always the same thing. If the receiver will pulp the product on arrival, or will download a temperature recorder, say so in the notes. Our team can only plan for the standard you tell us about. This page is about produce as freight; for sanitary trailer requirements, see food-grade trucking. For a broader food quote, see food and beverage freight.
California origins we quote often
Southern California packing houses, Ventura and Oxnard cold storage, Inland Empire distribution, and Central Valley growing and packing districts are all regular produce origins for us. Enter the actual city or ZIP of the dock or cooler, not only “California.” A Salinas, Fresno, or Oxnard pickup is a different dispatch from a warehouse in Fontana, even when the destination is the same.
Ventura County’s Crop and Livestock Report consistently places strawberries at the top of the county’s crop list, with avocados, lemons, celery, and other specialty items close behind — which is why Oxnard and the Port of Hueneme area show up so often on reefer requests. The Central Valley, including Fresno County, is a major origin for fruit, nuts, and other foods that leave as both reefer and dry freight. See our pages for Ventura and Oxnard and the Central Valley.
Season changes coverage, not only the product mix
When a growing region is shipping at volume, refrigerated trailers are pulled onto those lanes. That can tighten reefer capacity for everyone, including shippers who are not in produce. If you know the harvest window for your item, build in lead time and be honest about the pickup date. Our seasonal freight shipping guide covers this alongside holiday peak, and our reefer shipping costs guide explains why season is a rate driver.
We do not post a standing produce rate, and we do not guarantee transit around a peak. We will quote the load in front of us, including the date you give us.
Receivers, appointments, and eastbound lanes
Retail and food-service distribution centers often require appointments and may pulp, inspect, or assess lumper fees at unloading. A trailer that arrives off the window can be turned away even when the temperature was held. Include the appointment situation and any receiver notes you already have. See retail and DC delivery appointments.
Eastbound produce out of California to Texas, the Midwest, the Southeast, and the rest of the 48 states is a core request for our team. California to Texas is one of the lanes we quote most. Use the form for any destination; the more precise the city or ZIP, the better the plan.
What to send for a produce quote
- Commodity (for example, strawberries, citrus, mixed vegetables)
- Origin and destination city or ZIP, including the cooler or warehouse city
- Ship date and any delivery or appointment window
- Required set point, pre-cool, and continuous-run instructions
- Pulp, recorder, or inspection notes
- Pallet count, stackability, and weight if you have them