Cold Chain & Refrigerated Logistics Category Guide

Why Cold Chain Matters

Dairy products are highly perishable—temperature abuse at any point from production to consumption can cause quality loss, safety issues, and product rejection. For farms selling processed products or managing direct sales, understanding and maintaining cold chain integrity is essential.

Cold Chain Components

On-Farm Storage

• Walk-in coolers for product storage
• Blast chillers for rapid cooling
• Freezers for frozen products
• Temperature monitoring and alarms

Transportation

• Refrigerated trucks and trailers
• Insulated containers for small shipments
• Temperature monitoring during transit
• Dock-to-dock temperature handoffs

Final Distribution

• Retail refrigeration
• Home delivery coolers
• Customer pickup cold holding

Temperature Requirements

• Fresh dairy: 35-40°F (2-4°C)
• Frozen products: 0°F (-18°C) or below
• Documentation: Records of temperatures throughout chain

Refrigerated Transport Options

Dedicated Refrigerated Vehicles

Own or lease refrigerated trucks/vans for regular delivery routes.

LTL Refrigerated Carriers

Less-than-truckload carriers for smaller shipments to distant markets.

Insulated Packaging

Styrofoam coolers with ice packs for small e-commerce shipments.

Monitoring and Documentation

• Data loggers recording temperature history
• Real-time monitoring for critical shipments
• Chain of custody documentation
• Deviation protocols and corrective actions

Cost Considerations

Refrigerated vehicles cost 30-50% more than standard vehicles. Walk-in coolers run $5,000-20,000 depending on size. Refrigerated LTL shipping costs $0.50-2.00 per pound depending on distance. Cold shipping supplies (coolers, ice packs) add $5-20 per package. Temperature monitoring equipment costs $50-500 per unit.