How Refrigerated Trucks Are Used for Food Banks
Joe Dickman | October 12th, 2021
Food banks are essential charitable organizations that aim to provide food to struggling families. Refrigerated trucks support this mission by working behind the scenes to transport food to various distribution centers. You can learn more about how refrigerated trucks are used for food banks below.
How Food Banks Work
Food banks serve as warehousing and distribution centers for smaller frontline organizations, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and shelters. Food banks in the United States range from small places serving people in remote rural regions to enormous facilities storing and distributing massive amounts of food every year.
Why Use Refrigerated Trucks?
Refrigerated trucks and vans are by far the best ways to preserve thousands of pounds of food during transit. These vehicles keep themselves cool by adjusting the temperatures within their cabins. The cold air inside helps keep perishable products safe to consume when they arrive by preventing the growth of bacteria that cause foodborne diseases and other issues.
Using Vehicles for Large Scale Donations
Many businesses, including farms, supermarkets, and restaurants, contribute food to food banks. These businesses typically account for a substantial portion of all food donations, but they may not have the time to deliver the food directly. You can conveniently pick up food and bring it back so organizations can distribute it to communities using your refrigerated vehicles.
Easy Setup in Neighborhoods
Once you’ve gathered food at a distribution center, various staff can work together to deliver it directly to people who need it. Refrigerated trucks make it simple for charities to get critical supplies straight into the hands of community members. You can then station these trucks at different parking lots near schools, hospitals, and businesses, and workers can then pass out food supplies to families personally.
When looking at how refrigerated trucks are used for food banks, you’ll see that these vehicles are critical for these organizations. Without them, it can be almost impossible to deliver supplies to rural and underprivileged communities that would otherwise lack access to necessities.
Emerald Transportation Solutions is your one-stop-shop for all your refrigerated delivery vehicle needs when it comes to finding refrigerated trucks and vans for your organization. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Contact Us
Feel Free To Contact Us If You Have Any Questions
What does under DOT mean?
Questions regarding DOT requirements come up often. 10,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight) and over are commercial vehicles that fall under the Department of Transportation regulatory requirements.
What is the difference between GVW and payload?
GVW or Gross Vehicle Weight is the entire weight of the vehicle including the payload. The payload weight represents the amount of cargo you are hauling.
What is a self-powered unit and a vehicle-powered unit?
A self-powered unit has its own fuel source and will run independent of the truck. This is the heaviest and most expensive option. While vehicle-powered units run off the engine via a compressor mounted on the engine. These are less expensive and lighter in weight but you must run the truck or plug the electric standby into shore power.
What does K-factor mean and why is that important?
K-factor is a term that stands for the overall insulating value of the container (truck body). Quite simply the lower the K-factor the better the truck body will be able to maintain a given temperature and require less energy to do so.
How much lighter is a Poly Van vs a US spec body?
Poly Van bodies are very light. On average we estimate we are 75-150 lbs per foot lighter than a traditional sheet and post foamed in place body. These weight savings translates to less fuel burn and less CO2 emissions, along with added payload, the most important benefit.
