Keep on Truckin’
- Details
- Category: December 2017
- Published: 30 November 2017
- Hits: 3869

Marketplace trends are hot topics for discussion when leaning in on the fresh produce business.
Similar to other industries where moving products from “Point A to Point B” is necessary, the factor of transportation is critical to agriculture.
So much is happening in the trucking industry right now, that it is a challenge just to keep up with activity. Conveying the impact of trucking to fresh market stakeholders is another matter altogether.
Technology advancements, new regulatory requirements, driver shortages, increases in freight rates and deteriorating highways are top of mind for all trucking companies and drivers.
Starting on December 18th of this year, the compliance phase of the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) mandate begins as drivers and fleets must start using Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) approved ELDs in their vehicles.
Similar to other industries where moving products from “Point A to Point B” is necessary, the factor of transportation is critical to agriculture.
So much is happening in the trucking industry right now, that it is a challenge just to keep up with activity. Conveying the impact of trucking to fresh market stakeholders is another matter altogether.
Technology advancements, new regulatory requirements, driver shortages, increases in freight rates and deteriorating highways are top of mind for all trucking companies and drivers.
Starting on December 18th of this year, the compliance phase of the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) mandate begins as drivers and fleets must start using Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) approved ELDs in their vehicles.
Though many companies have already instituted ELD use in the past few years, compliance will now be working toward a 2019 100 percent adherence.
ELDs are designed to automatically record a driver’s driving time, engine hours, vehicle miles, date/time, and other safety measures. Hours of service or HOS maximums are mandated by state and federal agencies.
This is intended as a tool for safer driving and fewer accidents due to road fatigue.
Labor, or more precisely, lack of it and lack of expertise, has already led to driver and facility shortages.
Longer wait times at packing sheds and shipping points has created daily frustrations for drivers and customers. Long lines in the cue means missed pickups and timing out on runs.
Even consolidating product loads demands more coordination among shippers and distributors.
Growers want to be able to focus on growing and harvest issues, avoiding the associated hassles with transportation in general.
Labor shortages already contribute to headaches of farmers. They are strong advocates for transportation infrastructure and policy improvements.
Farming shapes the local landscape — politically, economically and the literal countryside. As demand for trucking increases, it’s important to keep this contributing factor in the dialog when fresh market trends are examined and resolved.




Products
Our inventory is extensive and reflects the freshest and current market availability.
Conventional Fruits and Vegetables
Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Value-added/Fresh-cut Products
Specialty, Exotic, Tropical, and Ethnic Produce
Fresh-cut and Potted Floral
Grocery Products
Fresh Juices and Frozen Food Items
Eggs, Cheese and Other Dairy Products
Herbs, Snack Foods, Nuts and Supplies
PRO*ACT
PRO*ACT contacts with the nation’s leading growers and shippers to offer you significant cost benefits and an easy solution to secure the freshest produce.