A Guide to Selling Perishable Foods Online

A growing number of people are shopping for food products online, especially as direct-to-consumer food & beverage shopping has become more convenient than ever. Many of these food items are perishable goods that only last for a limited period.

Selling perishable foods, including frozen foods and other items, can be profitable. However, you need to know how to properly sell and ship these products. They have some unique requirements that make them different from non-perishables.

Here we’ll explore what you can do to successfully sell perishable foods online.

What Exactly Are Perishable Foods?

Perishable foods and other products are those that don’t have an everlasting shelf life. Specifically, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines perishable goods as those that will eventually spoil, rot, or become generally unsafe for human consumption if they aren’t properly frozen at or below 0 °F or refrigerated at or below 40 °F, depending on the product.

Some examples of perishable food items include meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. If you fail to freeze or refrigerate these foods at the right temperatures, they may experience bacterial growth that renders them unsuitable for consumption. Specifically, they may develop spoilage bacteria that cause decay or pathogenic bacteria that cause food poisoning.

When Is It Best to Sell Perishable Foods Online?

If you want to get into selling perishable foods through an eCommerce platform, there are some circumstances when it’s the right move. Keep in mind that the eCommerce market for food and beverage continues to grow, with Statista predicting the total amount of revenue in this industry to reach $26 billion by the end of this year.

While selling perishables and other items online can be lucrative, bear in mind that it can be a huge undertaking. There are many elements to consider when selling goods online, including packaging and labeling and, in the case of perishables, refrigeration and freezer systems. It comes with its own requirements that make it very different from running a restaurant with local delivery.

If you have the resources and general capabilities needed to successfully launch an eCommerce business selling perishables, you may get the most from this opportunity. Otherwise, approaching this too casually could make an eCommerce business too challenging to maintain.

The Challenges of Selling Perishable Foods Online

Considering selling and shipping perishables online? There are several challenges you’ll need to keep in mind before building your business.

A couple of specific challenges include the following:

Requirements for Shipping

The type of perishable food products you sell come with different shipping requirements. Generally, you’ll need to consider the temperature and length of time you’ll need to store your products. These factors will influence many aspects of your shipments, from the size and cost of your packaging to the amount of time it takes to ship your products, all of which will influence your business’s ability to keep your customers happy.

Figure out what your specific products will require and determine the most efficient ways to ship them. If you have access to a cold storage facility, you may consider shipping on your own and catering to a radius that would enable you to ship 1–2-day ground.

Most brands however partner with a third-party logistics provider (3PL), to store, pick, pack and ship their ecommerce orders. We have numerous 3PL articles on our blog regarding this topic, so feel free to browse this topic here or you can download one of our guides.

Packaging and Shipping Processes

You’ll also need to consider the various packaging and shipping processes involved in selling perishables online. Often, it’s better to sell these products in bulk shipments as their costs are often lower than shipping single items.

This is due to the packaging and refrigeration requirements. If you can give shoppers a deal on bulk items, you’ll entice them to buy multiple items in a single shipment, which will save money for both you and your customers.

How to Successfully Sell Perishables Online

With a better idea of what to expect when selling perishable goods online, here are some recommendations to help you succeed with your next venture.

Select the Best eCommerce Platform for Your Business

Depending on your unique needs, there are different eCommerce platforms you can use for your business.

A couple of popular options include:

• Shopify — This is among the most popular platforms available and it includes many integrations that can help you get the most from your eCommerce website.

• BigCommerce — Another popular option is BigCommerce, which makes it easy to set up an eCommerce website.

It’s best to do some digging into the different platforms and find out which has the features you want and need.

Decide on Dry Ice or Frozen Gel Packs

Your refrigerated or frozen food products will need to remain at 40 °F or lower, meaning you’ll need the right cold sources to maintain the proper temperature throughout storage and shipping. Two of the main options available include dry ice and gel packs, each of which has its benefits and downsides.

Use Clear Labels

Your shipping partners and customers should know to keep your products consistently cool to prevent spoilage. To ensure this, use clear labeling that instructs handlers to “Keep Refrigerated” on all of your product packaging. Additionally, when using dry ice, it is important to include a dry ice warning card as touching dry ice can cause skin damage.

Make Sure Packaging Is Durable

Packaging should also be capable of providing sufficient insulation and withstanding damage of any type. In many cases, frozen and refrigerated foods rely on corrugated cardboard or foam packaging materials.

Send Shipments at the Right Time

It’s often best to send your shipments early in the week to prevent them from winding up in warehouses where they will spoil. Your customers should be able to receive your products in the exact same condition as when they were shipped.

Take the Right Approach to Your Online Perishable Food Business

To ensure the long-term success of your online business when selling perishables, you need to implement the right strategy. Taking all requirements and regulations into account along with shipping and process requirements will enable your business to flourish.

If you would like more help with growing your online business, the professionals at Gray Growth Logistics are here for you. Reach out to us today to learn more about how our services can fuel your company’s growth.