As global food waste increases and the environment buckles under the impact, it’s critical that we embrace smarter technologies along the food chain to ease the problem.

Besides the odd farmer’s market, there are very few food products that consumers can buy directly from the source. Most food that’s sold in the US will spend at least some time in transit and warehouses. Better temperature control throughout the shipping and storage process can increase shelf life and reduce food waste due to improper handling.

Why Temperature-Controlled Logistics Are Key to Tackling Food Waste

A 2024 University of Michigan study has suggested that poor cold chain management may be responsible for about 620 million metric tons of annual global food loss. How we store and transport food matters.

Cold chain logistics are responsible for maintaining the proper temperature controls, especially when it comes to fresh produce and meat. If food is left at an incorrect temperature for too long, it will spoil or at least lose precious shelf life. Freshness, quality, and safety all require continuous temperature control. That means that from the moment food is packaged, it’s kept at the temperatures that will best prevent bacterial or fungal growth.

We can’t sell or consume the food we’ve produced if it’s not stored properly. Temperature-controlled logistics are a crucial part of ensuring that the natural resources utilized to produce our food are not wasted and that food gets a chance to be sold and consumed rather than ending up in a landfill.

Harnessing Smart Technology to Improve Food Storage Efficiency

Digital technologies are largely seen as the future of improving our food systems and minimizing waste:

• IoT Sensors: When it comes to maintaining proper food temperatures, adopting a “set it and forget it” mentality simply won’t suffice. Refrigerators break down, and external temperatures vary, requiring temperature-control systems that are adaptable. All of that is improved with the use of IoT sensors, which can track temperatures and send alerts if machines break down or conditions change in any way.

• Smart Refrigeration: These systems will often use some IoT but take things a step further by fully automating temperature control based on the food being stored, external conditions, etc.

• Inventory Management Software: In very large food transit and warehouse operations, it’s easy for inventory to get muddled if not monitored correctly. Management software can help keep tabs on how long each batch of produce has been in storage, its predicted shelf life, and which products need to be prioritized in terms of deliveries.

Leveraging Real-Time Data to Ensure Food Safety and Minimize Spoilage

Real-time data is essentially any information that is made available “live” or as things occur. In the world of food storage, it’s vital. Most fresh produce has a very limited shelf-life and thus needs to be monitored as closely as possible so as not to lose out on that window.

Here are some of the ways that logistics systems are able to leverage real-time data to ensure food safety and prevent waste:

• Continuous Monitoring: With IoT sensors, smart fridges, and CCTV, food management teams can keep an eye on produce at all times. This makes it far easier to flag and fix fridge breakdowns or any other issues that could affect food safety.

• Improved Traceability: If spoiling occurs or an issue is raised with the cold chain, real-time data makes it much easier to track the impact and remove any affected product before the issue expands.

• Quick Alerts: When partnered with alert systems, real-time data means that problems in the cold chain are communicated quickly and easily.

• Shape Future Protocols: Real-time data has value even after it’s first recorded. All that information gathered can be used in predictive analytics and used to improve future food storage protocols and support innovative food waste prevention strategies.

In a world where food waste continues to rise and environmental resources are stretched thin, the importance of temperature-controlled logistics cannot be overstated. By harnessing smart technologies like IoT sensors, real-time data, and automated refrigeration systems, we can significantly reduce spoilage, enhance food safety, and ensure that the food we produce reaches consumers in optimal condition. These innovations represent not just an opportunity to minimize waste but also a critical step toward building a more sustainable food supply chain for the future.

The views and opinions expressed in this guest blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ReFED. You can find additional logistics-oriented solutions in the ReFED Solution Provider Directory.