CALIFORNIA FOOD TRANSPORTATION

CA grows over 400 different crops!

California’s Top 10 Ag Products: CDFA Milk 2. Grapes 3. Almonds 4. Nursery Plants 5. Cattle, Calves 6. Strawberries 7. Lettuce 8. Walnuts 9. Hay 10. Tomatoes California Almonds: Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS

How do farm products get to consumers?  Agricultural products are the largest user of freight transportation services in the country.  In California, they are shipped by truck, railroad, airplane, or barge.

Trucks Most common mode of shipping Ag Products in CA  Used to deliver raw products from field to first processing stop – such as a creamery or sawmill.  Provide fast delivery and controlled temperatures for perishable food like milk, eggs, and lettuce.

 Total maximum weight for truck and load may not exceed 80,000 pounds. How many tons is this?  Weigh stations are monitored by highway patrol officers who may check weight of truck, driver logbooks with hours, mileage, routes and load contents.

Railroads  Used to transport agricultural products such as lumber, canned fruits, and vegetables that are not as perishable as some products that need to reach their destination quickly.

Airplane  High value items that need to travel long distances and have short shelf lives may be shipped by airplane.  Examples are berries, cut flowers, and specialty fruits.

Barge  Used to ship large quantities of items that have longer shelf lives.  Bulk dried beans, rice, wheat, and corn or tree nuts such as almonds and pistachios may be shipped by barge.