An FDA warehouse is a food storage facility registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), specifically the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule (21 CFR Part 117) and the Sanitary Transportation Rule. FDA-compliant warehouses must register every two years, maintain a written food safety plan, …
FDA Warehouse Guide: What Food Brands Need to Know in 2026 Read More »
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) fundamentally changed how the U.S. food industry manages safety — shifting the focus from responding to contamination events to actively preventing them. For cold storage warehouses and the businesses that use them, FSMA created a new set of obligations, documentation requirements, and accountability structures. This guide is designed to …
FDA FMSA Guide for Cold Storage Warehouses: A Practical Guide Read More »
When businesses are evaluating cold storage strategy in the Midwest, two cities come up again and again: Chicago and Indianapolis. Both are legitimate logistics hubs, both offer access to major population centers, and both have established cold storage markets. But they serve different needs — and choosing the wrong base of operations can mean higher …
Chicago vs. Indianapolis: Why Chicago is Ideal for Cold Storage Read More »
If you’ve been researching temperature-controlled logistics, you’ve almost certainly encountered both “cold storage” and “refrigerated warehousing” — sometimes used interchangeably, sometimes as if they refer to completely different things. The terminology can be genuinely confusing, and using the wrong term with a logistics provider can lead to misaligned expectations. This article breaks down the differences, …
Cold Storage vs. Refrigerated Warehousing: What’s the Difference Read More »
Choosing the right cold storage warehouse partner is one of the most consequential decisions a food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or perishable goods company can make. The wrong partner can mean spoiled inventory, missed delivery windows, compliance failures, and damaged customer relationships. The right partner becomes a true extension of your supply chain — reliable, transparent, and …
Guide to Selecting to Cold Storage Warehouse Partner Read More »
Chicago isn’t just a world-class city — it’s one of the most strategically important logistics hubs in North America. Positioned at the crossroads of the Midwest, with access to major highway corridors, two international airports, and the nation’s largest rail network, Chicago is the natural home for cold storage operations serving the Great Lakes region …
If you are a national logistics director, you are likely staring at a map of the United States trying to place your next major distribution center (DC). The debate often comes down to two heavyweights: Chicago (the King of the North) vs. Dallas (the Star of the South). Both are Tier-1 logistics hubs. Both have …
Chicago vs. Dallas: Why Chicago is Ideal for Refrigerated Warehousing Read More »
For a food manufacturer, a warehouse is not just a storage box; it is the final link in the chain of custody before your product reaches the consumer. If that chain breaks—due to contamination, pest intrusion, or poor traceability—the result isn’t just lost inventory. It’s a recall. And in the food industry, a recall can …
A Completed Guide to Selecting a Food Grade Warehouse Partner Read More »
In dry storage, a mistake might mean a misplaced pallet. In refrigerated cold storage, a mistake can mean a total loss. For operations managers, selecting a refrigerated 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) provider is one of the most high-stakes decisions you make. The “cold chain” is unforgiving; a temperature variance of just a few degrees, or a …
A Complete Guide to Selecting a Refrigerated 3PL Warehouse Partner Read More »
In the world of food logistics, “location” isn’t just about a pin on a map—it’s about velocity, freshness, and cost containment. For Supply Chain Directors and Logistics Managers, the pressure to reduce transit times while maintaining strict temperature integrity is higher than ever. While the coastal hubs have their place, one city remains the undisputed …
Chicago Food Distribution: The Strategic Benefits of a Midwest Hub Read More »