Freight units have had a massive impact on the food industry on a global scale. Transporting food in storage units is the most common and efficient way to globally transport consumable products.
The amount and the types of food that could be transported drastically increased with the introduction of freight containers. The use of these units means that markets across the globe are made available which allows the flow of new products and food trends to emerge.
Compared to air transportation, shipping goods by sea is far preferred because of the lower cost and the lower carbon footprint. This makes the food industry heavily dependant on sea shipment for economic and global food sustainability. Shipping units have also provided a cost-effective and sustainable way to build new restaurants and food stands which has also increased the growth of the industry.
This article will explore all the various ways that these boxes have impacted the food industry.
The Shipment of Perishables
One of the main considerations of shipping food is the preservation of the food products over a considerable amount of time. The world has evolved and globalised and so a solution for food to stay fresh throughout shipment to different parts of the world was required. Reefer containers, also known as refrigerated units, or a shipping container refrigeration unit, is a well-insulated shipping container that consists of an air cooling compressor which allows the content of the container to be temperature controlled. It is, therefore, a great way to transport temperature-sensitive goods such as fruits, meats, vegetables, and dairy products.
These types of units are also used to transport non-food products such as flowers or pharmaceutical drugs. The refrigerated units are designed to circulate cold air through specially designed decking. The ventilation holes in it also help prevent spoilage to the products by expelling warm/toxic air around in the container.
Each country has its own strict food import protocols that all vary in requirements. Ensuring that perishable goods meet these guidelines is important to maintain food safety. That is why a refrigerated container for food transportation has become the standard, as it is easy to regulate the temperature according to the food product.
Food Stands & Restaurants
Another positive impact that storage units have had on the food industry is through the use of units to construct food establishments and host food events. In comparison to building restaurants and food stands from scratch, the building cost and efficiency of utilising these units far outweighs the former. In comparison to food stands and food trucks, converted units are far more customisable and have proven to be more attractive in terms of marketability.
Unique designs and layouts can be achieved by combining and customising used units together, all while retaining their inherent durability and sturdiness. Units can become entirely workable food stands or restaurants by adding energy, lighting, air conditioning/heating, plumbing, sinks, doors and windows. The shipping container is then ready to be transformed into a fully functioning restaurant or food stand with endless possibilities for decor and furnishings.
The Availability of Food
Climate and geographical location have a massive impact on our animal and plant life. That is why local produce is different from country to country. Air transportation allows for the shipping food products, but it limited traders by distance and price. The utilisation of shipping units, especially refrigerated units, has had a huge impact on what food products can now be imported and exported.
Refrigerated containers allow for the transportation of perishables across the globe at low costs. This allows for various food products to be shared globally, allowing people a taste of the diverse food from all around the world. Having access to the world’s produce has positively expanded the scope of the food industry and has encouraged the development of global food trends.
Since the late 1940s, freight units have been used to transport various goods globally, expanding worldwide growth and consumerism. This global transportation has given the food industry access to a diverse range of food products that are not available locally. The increase in available goods expanded the food industry and changed it for the better. We hope this article has highlighted all these positive impacts that containers have provided for the food industry.
