How to Stay Fresh: Transportation Innovation for the Food and Beverage Supply Chain

The journey that food & beverages take—whether from farm or factory, to grocery shelves or restaurants—is a complex one. With advancements in technology and improved logistics strategies, food and beverage supply chain managers are ripe with innovative ways to meet customer demands. From smarter route optimization to greener practices, here’s how some food and beverage logistics companies are growing to deliver goods at peak freshness.

Smart tech, smarter margins

Technology has been integral to food and beverage logistics since the late ‘80’s. Today, with Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled trackers and AI layered on top of most tech platforms – supply chain managers can more easily monitor and manage their inventory, shipments, and route networks efficiently.

IoT trackers are devices that collect real-time data, and in this case, related to the transportation and condition of goods. Critical details, such as location, temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions, are communicated back to systems without manual intervention. Using this information, shippers can address issues before they eat into already slim profit margins as a result of spoilage. No rotten apples here.

Unlike most transportation management systems (TMS), Shipwell comes with AI already integrated, bringing advanced solutions beyond standard route planning to improve visibility, facilitate better communication, and automate workflows. For food and beverage transportation managers, this translates to benefits such as:

• Cost reduction and efficiency gains by way of route optimization and automation to reduce manual errors
• Enhanced customer experience with real-time shipment visibility and more accurate delivery estimates to foster trust & build satisfaction
• Improved sustainability through reduced fuel consumption to minimize your carbon footprint and reduce waste
• Proactive risk management via advanced algorithms to assess carrier performance and other market variables to protect your perishables
• Intelligent inventory control by balancing shelf-life constraints with demand patterns to optimize order quantities and maintain stock levels

The question isn't whether to embrace AI and IoT in your food and beverage supply chain—it's how quickly companies can harness these technologies to outpace their competition.

Beaver Street Fisheries’ Scott Lane ensures supply chain keeps its cool

Among the leaders driving innovation in food & beverage transportation, Scott Lane, VP of Supply Chain at Beaver Street Fisheries (BSF), is a true “tide-setter.” His enhancements to the company’s TMS, such as adding dynamic dashboards and demand-planning tools, have allowed BSF to achieve:

• 100% ocean container visibility (up from 40%) through real-time maps and NetSuite data integration
• 3,064 hours in efficiency improvements by automating of RFP events, carrier invoice processing and other critical tasks
• $270k+ in cost avoidance annually by reducing errors and eliminating bottlenecks

Recently named a 2025 Food Logistics Award Winner, Scott has transformed BSF’s supply chain through a combination of cutting-edge technology, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence. Organizationally, they continue to navigate the complexities of the modern food supply chain successfully through the power of aligning technology, sustainability, and collaboration to drive meaningful change.

Less emissions, lesser footprint

Future generations are relying on logistics leaders in the present to minimize the environmental and social impact of their product's journey throughout the entire supply chain. Thankfully, many are finding innovative ways to reduce waste, lower emissions, and streamline operations to meet both regulatory demands and consumer expectations. Some green logistics practices may include:

• Deployment of electric and/or hybrid vehicles for last-mile delivery efficiency
• Optimization of routes across land, ocean, and air to minimize emissions and maximize fuel efficiency
• Elimination waste through AI-powered demand forecasting and planning
• Acceleration of inventory turnover with intelligent management systems, reducing warehouse dwell time and extending shelf life
• Implementation of reusable packaging solutions to reduce environmental impact and cut material costs
• Establishment of carbon-neutral corridors through strategic network design and clean energy partnerships

Sustainability in food and beverage logistics is so much more than environmental impact. It's about building a more efficient, resilient, and profitable operation that's positioned for long-term success.

Better logistics, best future

As the tastes of the world change, so does the food & beverage industry. By embracing smarter systems and greener practices, companies are creating a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable supply chain. Those who invest in these intelligent solutions now are seeing fewer losses, better margins, and happier customers—proving smart technology delivers fresh results.

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