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Transporting Food in the UK

You have worked hard to have a good harvest, and now you’re ready to take your produce to the grocers. Finding the right transport is key to getting the best produce in the best condition to the store. That said, you don’t want to spend too much or you won’t have any return profit. This goes for any type of food, from produce to alcohol, and everything in between. We’ll help you discover how to properly package and move your produce at the cheapest rates.

Red fruit in an open transport lorry

The Difficulties of Moving Food Products

Moving food has some legal requirements to which you and your transporter must adhere. For example, it is your responsibility to be certain of food safety. You will want to follow HAACP wholly.

If you use an additive in food, you must only use an approved additive and only use it if it is approved for use in that food. The food additive must not exceed the maximum permitted level.

Make sure food contact materials don’t transfer or change anything to food they touch, and when inspected, be able to show where the food contact materials came from.

When labelling your food, be sure to include the name of the food, any warning, allergen information, any food additive you have added, and if any of the ingredients have been irradiated, or have come from genetically modified sources.

Prepare your food for transport

You can package your food in many ways. Store and package food in food-grade containers or packaging that is suitable for the food and for any processes that follow (for example, refrigeration, freezing or microwaving). Clean and sanitise the food packaging area and machinery before starting work and make sure it is free from things that could contaminate food such as dirt, dust, insects, glass, metal, and plastic.

If the trip is short, you could consider open transport, a cheaper solution. If the distance is farther, or if your food needs to be refrigerated or frozen, you should consider a reefer lorry, or refrigerated lorry.

Vegetables in a grocery

Using uShip for Your Food Transport Needs

uShip puts you in control as a one stop shop for finding the cheapest and best transportation. Simply create a listing detailing your delivery, what kind of lorry you need, and pick up and delivery locations and times. Couriers who specialise in moving food will then offer you transport quotes as they compete for your business. Talk to the couriers as they provide quotes and find out more about their experience in transporting foods. They each have a uShip courier profile where you can see previously completed shipments and ratings and reviews of their services. Find a courier you feel comfortable working with at a comfortable rate and accept their quote.

Man delivering a box of agricultural goods

How Much Does it Cost to Transport Food?

The average cost for food delivery depends on the distance, time frame, and what you’re transporting. It costs $2.24 per mile to transport food less than 100 miles, but costs $1.46 per mile to transport food less than 1000 miles.

Visit our Cost to Transport food and beverages page for an inside look at the uShip food transport process. There, you'll be able to view food deliveries completed on the uShip marketplace, so you can get a good idea of what your shipment may cost.

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