Suppose your company works with food products and wants to improve its supply chain management. In that case, it should delegate operations to an external third-party logistics (3PL) provider. The 3PL provider you choose will be able to automate the food delivery process and make your business more proficient. The companies, of course, will have to do their research with due diligence to ensure that the 3PL provider they select specializes in food distribution and logistics service. The following are some of the services a 3PL company specializing in food delivery can provide:

• Compliance with food safety standards
• Provision of warehouses
• Provision of transportation
• Provision of port-related services

Let’s look at these services individually and in-depth.

Compliance with Food Safety Standards

 
When you consider the logistics of food distribution, the first item to think about is food safety. Even if your 3PL provider can handle all the logistics and its associated responsibilities, being able to handle food as per the standards is crucial and of the utmost importance. Throughout the supply chain of food delivery, the basic integrity of the food should be intact. So much so that if your 3PL provider has a warehouse to store the foods, the warehouse should also meet the food safety standards.
 
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You must find out if your 3PL provider complies with the requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). External agencies such as AIB International audit these 3PL providers and ensure they comply with these standards. Furthermore, if your company’s products are organic, you must check if your 3PL provider has certification from a trusted and reputable agency that provides organic certification.
 
Oregon Tilth is one such organic certification company. Depending on the food product of your company, the certifications may vary; however, it is crucial to ensure that the 3PL provider you entrust has the necessary certifications.
 

Provision of Warehouses

 
When a 3PL service provider has warehousing facilities, they include several value-added services, such as the following:

• Temperature control
• Managing the inventory
• Recall options
• Option to cross-dock

Let’s explore these services briefly.
 
• Temperature Control
 
Several food products require a specific temperature range for storage. For example, certain food products must always be refrigerated or frozen, and certain other foods can only be stored at room temperature. You must ensure your 3PL provider can handle this temperature requirement and has the wherewithal to do so. That means the provider will have to ensure that the area where the food product is kept is monitored at all times for signs of temperature fluctuations. Additionally, some 3PL providers who offer temperature-controlled warehouses also have temperature-controlled docks to ensure that the required temperature of your food product is always maintained.
 
• Managing the Inventory
 
Inventory tracking and management is a crucial parts of food delivery. Luckily, every modern warehouse uses a specific Warehouse Management System or WMS to manage orders and inventories. They use this system to track the ingress and egress of orders to and from the warehouse and share this information with their clients and vendors. The 3PL provider you chose to handle food logistics on behalf of your company should be able to deal with these requirements of the food industry, such as checking the manufacturing and expiration dates. They should also be able to meet specific requirements such as first in, first out (FIFO), and last in, first out (LIFO).
 
• Recall Options
 
The 3PL provider should be able to handle if a product or a batch is recalled. A nightmarish situation will be if you only have to recall a product to find that your 3PL provider cannot handle a recall!
 
Luckily, some food logistics companies conduct regular trial runs to ensure their recall process runs seamlessly. Doing this ensures that your 3PL provider can handle recalls if they occur.
 

Option to Cross-Dock

 
Since grocery chains and other retailers nowadays run on a tight schedule, you might have to accelerate the supply chain and skip the warehousing option altogether. When your 3PL provider has a cross-docking service, it signifies that they have the flexibility to adapt if your product must be shifted to the warehouse or taken straight to the destination after a quick transportation change.
 
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If you must ship some food products but do not have enough to fill in an entire trailer, ensure that your 3PL provider gives you the option of Less-Than-Truckload or LTE shipping. In this case, a portion of the trailer is reserved for your food product, and the logistics company uses the rest to transport some other products. Suppose the 3PL company you choose is proficient in dealing with food products. In that case, they will know which food and products can and cannot be shipped together and will arrange their consignments accordingly. Doing this kind of arrangement ensures that there is no cross-contamination.
 

Provision of Transportation

 
The transportation that the 3PL provider supports is crucial for food and its logistics. Depending on the magnitude of your food delivery, the 3PL company you choose can have dedicated transportation for your food products. This means that transportation will be available at all times for your company which can be a major boon, especially if you run on tight schedules.
 
If your food product requires a certain temperature condition, then it is important to ensure that the optimum temperature is maintained during transportation too. Additionally, you should continuously be able to track the transportation that carries your food product.
 

Provision of Port-Related Services

If your food product comes from outside the country, your 3PL provider must have the resources to collect it from the port. That includes receiving and transporting the product. If your food product is temperature controlled, you must ensure that your 3PL provider can maintain this temperature throughout this transportation process. You will also have to ensure they have the appropriate electrical equipment and outlets required for this type of transportation. Additionally, if your food product has to be shipped out of the country, your 3PL provider should have the means to ensure that they can transport it, all the while maintaining the relevant food and safety guidelines of to and from countries.
 

Conclusion:

In addition to all the services a 3PL provides, you can get some value-added services depending on which 3PL your company decides to partner with. Some 3PL providers have customized services, such as delaying the delivery of your product and storing them in their warehouses instead. They can assemble or repackage your product for the final delivery per the vendor’s requirement.
 
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Looking at all the services you can receive if your 3PL provider has experience delivering food and food products, your company must choose its provider wisely to ensure the entire supply chain process is seamless and fast.
 

About XPDEL:

XPDEL helps eCommerce brands accelerate their growth, empowering them with multi-channel fulfillment, whether shipping directly to consumers, delivering to businesses, or selling through retail stores. We are founded and operated by veterans with experience from Amazon, FedEx, UPS, JDA, Walmart, Target, and other leading companies in eCommerce and Retail. Guided by these experts, we provide customer experiences that help you grow your business.