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Shipper Services · Refrigerated Freight

Refrigerated Freight That Holds Its Temperature

Temperature-Controlled Truckload & LTL for Food, Beverage & Pharma

Perishables do not get a second chance. J&A arranges refrigerated and frozen freight on reefer equipment from carriers who understand pre-cooling, set points, and the cost of a rejected load.

Forklift loading a temperature-controlled trailer at a warehouse dock
What It Is

Refrigerated Freight with J&A Freight Systems

Refrigerated freight, often called reefer freight, is any shipment that must stay within a defined temperature range from the moment it is loaded until it is signed for. Fresh produce, dairy, meat, frozen foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and certain chemicals all depend on it. A single excursion can mean a rejected delivery and a lost sale.

J&A's refrigerated division has moved temperature-sensitive freight since the 2000s. We match each load to carriers whose reefer units, trailer condition, and track record on temperature-controlled lanes have been vetted, and we confirm set points, pre-cooling, and continuous versus cycle operation before the truck arrives at your dock.

Throughout transit, your J&A owner watches the load in our Transportation Management System and stays in contact with the driver, so a delay at a receiver or a reefer alarm becomes a phone call to you rather than a surprise on the delivery receipt.

What's Included

Everything the service covers

  • Fresh, chilled, and frozen set points, including multi-temperature trailers where available
  • Food-grade equipment with trailer condition and washout verified before loading
  • Pharma and healthcare shipments with documented temperature requirements
  • Refrigerated LTL for smaller temperature-sensitive shipments
  • Continuous tracking and proactive driver contact on every load

Set-Point Confirmation

Temperature, continuous or cycle mode, and pre-cool requirements are captured on the rate confirmation and confirmed with the driver at pickup.

Reefer-Qualified Carriers

Carriers are selected for temperature-controlled experience, insurance that covers reefer breakdown, and performance on similar lanes.

Exception Handling

Appointment changes, dock delays, and equipment issues are managed in real time by a named J&A representative.

How It Works

From quote to delivery in four steps

01

Define the requirements

Commodity, temperature range, pre-cool, pallet count, and any receiver rules such as temperature recorders or seal requirements.

02

We book qualified capacity

The load goes to a vetted reefer carrier with the right equipment, and the rate confirmation spells out every temperature requirement.

03

Monitor in transit

Live location and milestone updates, with proactive check calls so delays are addressed before product is at risk.

04

Deliver and document

Signed PODs and any temperature documentation are stored in the portal for your food-safety or quality records.

Who It's For

Who uses J&A for refrigerated freight

Food and beverage manufacturers, produce and protein distributors, grocery and foodservice suppliers, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies, and specialty chemical shippers. Many combine refrigerated truckload with our dry freight services so one partner manages the whole network.

Why J&A

Four decades. One standard.

  • Since 1986. Family-built in Chicago and still run by the people whose names are on the door.
  • 200 vetted carrier partners. Authority, safety, and insurance verified before they touch your freight.
  • 97% on-time delivery. Numbers that come straight out of our TMS, and we will show you the reports.
  • MBE-certified. An NMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprise for supplier-diversity programs. Learn more →
Refrigerated Freight FAQ

Refrigerated Freight questions, answered

The questions shippers ask before they book.

Standard fresh, chilled, and frozen set points, as well as multi-temperature trailers for mixed loads where equipment is available on the lane. Tell us the required range and we will confirm it on the rate confirmation.

We vet carriers for reefer experience and insurance, confirm set point and pre-cool at pickup, stay in contact with the driver in transit, and store the delivery documentation in your portal.

Yes. For smaller temperature-sensitive shipments we arrange refrigerated LTL where carrier networks support the lane and commodity.

Yes. Trailer condition, washout, seals, and documentation requirements are built into the booking so the carrier arrives prepared.

Our team is notified immediately, works with the carrier to resolve or re-power the load, and keeps you informed so you can make product decisions quickly.

Ready to move refrigerated freight smarter?

Get a quote in minutes. A dedicated logistics expert, not a call center, responds within one business day.