Shipping perishable goods like meat and other farm products can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can ensure that your products reach customers in top condition. At farmshare, our team connects with livestock farmers and ranchers daily, gathering valuable insights on how they manage logistics. We've rounded up some of the best shipping practices used by pros across the industry. Whether you're shipping directly from the farm or a small-scale processor, these tips will help ensure your perishables arrive fresh and on time.
1. Logistics and Shipping Schedules
Managing your shipping schedule is crucial to avoiding delays and ensuring your products stay fresh in transit. Here are a few tips from experienced farmers:
- Schedule Labels and Pickups Midweek: Set aside a specific day to create labels and schedule pickups for the week. Many farmers recommend Wednesdays or Thursdays. This allows you to focus on packing and preparing orders early in the week and ensures a smooth flow of outbound shipments.
- Ship Early in the Week: Aim to ship perishables on Mondays or Tuesdays. Shipping at the start of the work week reduces the risk of weekend delays, ensuring your products spend less time in transit, where the risk of thawing or spoilage increases.
- Drop-Off Timing Matters: If you're dropping off packages yourself, consider the timing. For instance, if your local route leaves at 5 PM, dropping off packages at 8 AM could mean they sit idle for hours, potentially compromising freshness. Try to coordinate with your carrier for the most efficient drop-off window.
- Build Relationships with Local Carriers: Get to know your local carriers. Whether you're dealing with FedEx, UPS, or another courier, having a strong relationship can be valuable, especially if you ever face shipping issues or need flexibility.
2. Packing Orders for Perishable Shipping
Proper packing techniques can make or break the quality of your shipped products. Keeping items cold and preventing damage during transit are key to a positive customer experience. Here's what we've learned from seasoned livestock farmers and ranchers:
- Center the Product with Gel Packs on Top and Bottom: Place the product in the center of the box, with gel packs on both the top and bottom to maintain cold temperatures throughout the package. Using moisture-resistant gel packs can help avoid “sweating,” which can raise the temperature inside the box.
- Strategic Product Placement: Place slower-to-thaw products (like bacon or ground beef) on the bottom of the package, with faster-thawing items on top. Since hot air rises, this strategy helps keep everything at an optimal temperature for as long as possible.
- Seal Tightly to Keep Air Out: The less air inside the package, the better. Air and moisture can cause temperatures to rise, leading to premature thawing. Make sure to pack your boxes as tightly as possible. However, if you're using dry ice, ventilation is necessary to prevent the buildup of gases.
- Keep Shelf-Stable Products Separate: If you're shipping any shelf-stable items along with your perishables, pack them outside of the insulated section. This reduces the amount of coolant and insulation you need, cutting down on costs without compromising product quality.
3. Packaging Meat for Maximum Efficiency
Your choice of packaging materials can impact both product quality and your brand image. Here’s how to elevate your packaging without breaking the bank:
- Use Moisture-Resistant Gel Packs: While slightly more expensive, moisture-resistant gel packs can minimize the moisture inside the box, keeping your products colder longer and preventing unnecessary “sweating.”
- Brand Your Packaging: Adding custom packing tape, butcher paper, or even simple branded stickers to your packages gives them a professional, personalized touch. These small details enhance the unboxing experience and strengthen your farm’s identity.
- Include Thank-You and Recipe Cards: A thank-you card or recipe card can add a heartfelt, personal touch that encourages repeat business. Many farmers even involve their children by having them draw pictures for their customers, which can be scanned and printed as part of the packaging. These personal elements make your customers feel connected to the farm.
4. Additional Tips for a Smooth Shipping Process
- Invest in High-Quality Insulation: Whether you’re using Styrofoam coolers, insulated liners, or corrugated boxes, make sure the insulation is thick and of high quality. Better insulation can reduce the amount of gel packs or dry ice needed, making your packages lighter and saving on shipping costs.
- Choose the Right Carrier and Service Level: Not all shipping services are equal when it comes to perishables. Be sure to select a service that offers one- or two-day shipping for long distances.
- Monitor Shipping Conditions: Some farmers use temperature monitoring devices that are included in the shipment. These monitors track the temperature inside the package and ensure it stays within the acceptable range. If anything goes wrong during transit, these devices can help you identify the problem and provide evidence if you need to file a claim.
By following these tried-and-true shipping practices from livestock farmers and ranchers, you can ensure your perishable products reach their destination in optimal condition. Farmshare's tools help streamline the logistics process, from managing orders to organizing shipments, making it easier than ever to ship fresh, quality meat directly to your customers.
