The selection of a food-grade warehouse is one of the most important decisions your food company must make. Food products require special handling and care. The wrong choice can lead to spoiled, unsellable goods, poor service to customers and damage to your business’s reputation and brand.

With this guide of criteria for selecting a food-grade warehouse, you can make your choice with complete confidence.

Factors When Choosing A Food-Grade Warehouse

Facility Condition

Be sure to visit any warehouses you’re considering before agreeing to do business with them. The facility and the truck trailers used to transport your food products should be well-maintained and clean. Ask about the company’s sanitation and pest control procedures, as well as their process steps for ensuring regulatory compliance. Your visit will also give you a better idea of the competence of the company’s management team.

Track Record

When picking a food-grade warehouse, look for one with a stellar track record in the industry. Find out how long the company has been in business and whether it has experience handling your types of food products (dry, refrigerated or frozen). Perform an online search to determine if there has been a high volume of complaints or regulatory violations. Ask for recommendations from other food companies in your area.

Location

Another factor to consider is the location of the food-grade warehouse, especially if you sell perishable items. A centralized distribution center reduces transport time and minimizes the risk of spoilage. Closer proximity will also lead to lower shipping costs and ensure better customer service.

Certifications and Registrations

A warehouse that has attained all the applicable ISO 9001 certifications demonstrates its commitment to adhering to the highest quality management standards. The company should also be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in good standing with local food safety inspectors.

Supply Chain Management Capabilities

Another thing to look for in a food-grade warehouse is its ability to manage all aspects of the supply chain, including storage, distribution, and delivery. The consolidation of services will help prevent costly chain disruptions, maintain product quality and reduce your costs.

Security

What steps does the company take to protect your food products from tampering, theft and other potential threats? Choose a food-grade warehouse that enacts measures such as performing background checks on new hires, implementing access control processes like requiring badges or keycards when entering restricted areas, and deploying surveillance cameras in vulnerable locations within the facility.

Make Central Florida Freezer Your Food Grade Warehouse

If you’re looking for a trustworthy, full-service food-grade warehouse in Florida, Central Florida Freezer can meet your needs. Our sprawling Leesburg facility can accommodate all types of dry, frozen and refrigerated food products. When you choose us, you’ll get a company with a superior ranking in GMP/Food Safety. We also provide 24/7 security and monitoring to keep your goods safe.

Learn more about our food-grade warehousing capabilities or contact us today to discuss how we provide competitive pricing, efficient truck loading and little to no detention.