eGourmet Solutions

Archives for May 2023

The Frozen Food Industry and the Economy

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The frozen food industry has been growing rapidly for several years. Current growth projections indicate the market will almost double in the next 8 years,  from $265 Billion in 2022 to over $500 billion by 2030. Recent news about  the state of the United States economy and rising prices may be contributing to the industry’s development.  . Factors ranging from affordability and  consumer preferences, to innovation and shelf life can influence global frozen food consumption.

During a recession, consumers may opt for more cost-effective food choices, including frozen foods. The convenience and relatively lower cost of frozen foods compared to dining out or purchasing a variety of fresh ingredients can make them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Research shows that frozen foods are 50% cheaper than fresh products. During a time of high inflation, almost 5% in 2023, lower food prices is likely to drive consumers to the frozen food aisle. 

Some consumers may alter their consumption patterns during a recession, favoring essential products over luxury items. This could lead to an increased demand for staple frozen food items such as vegetables, fruits, meat, and basic meal options. The yearly global market report for the frozen food industry performed by Astute Analytica states that the global trade of frozen fruits and vegetables has grown an average of 3.5% per year. This is mainly due to the fact that frozen fruits and vegetables hold their nutritional value for longer after being frozen compared to fresh produce. 

Frozen food offerings have evolved considerably since the 1950’s dinner tray. Every year there are new technological advances that allow for more complex prepared foods to be frozen without compromising quality. The introduction of healthier meals and snacks, along with more global recipes has the potential to attract new consumers to the frozen food category.

One advantage of frozen foods is their extended shelf life. During uncertain economic times, consumers may prefer to stock up on longer-lasting food items. Many Frozen foods can be stored for up to 3-6 months, allowing consumers to buy in bulk and reduce the frequency of grocery shopping trips.

To learn more about how eGourmet Solutions has planned around the economy and how we can help you during uncertain times, contact us today!

The Ultimate Guide to Dry Ice: Understanding its Properties and Packaging Applications

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Dry ice is a remarkable substance that plays a crucial role in various industries, particularly in packaging and transportation. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into what dry ice is, how it’s made, its longevity, and its extensive applications in shipping frozen foods.. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of dry ice and its significance in maintaining product integrity and ensuring efficient shipping.

What is Dry Ice?

Dry ice, scientifically known as solid carbon dioxide (CO2), is a frozen form of this naturally occurring gas and has a temperature of -78 degrees Celsius. Unlike traditional ice, dry ice does not melt into a liquid but instead transforms directly from a solid to a gas. This unique property called sublimation, makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, including packaging and shipping frozen foods and some pharmaceuticals (think Covid vaccines).

How is dry ice made:

Dry ice is made by capturing and compressing carbon dioxide gas, typically sourced from industrial processes such as ethanol and ammonia production  who produce CO2 as a by-product. The compressed gas is then rapidly cooled and condensed into a solid state, resulting in dry ice pellets or blocks. The most common forms of dry ice are pellets, small tubular shaped pieces that are 1 inch long and ½ inch wide, and 5 or 10-lb blocks.

How long does dry ice last:

On average, 5-lbs of dry ice lasts 24 hours when stored in insulated containers. Its longevity is influenced by various factors such as packaging, storage temperature, and ambient conditions. It is crucial to understand these factors to maximize the effectiveness of dry ice during shipping and storage.

Dry Ice Applications:

Dry ice plays a vital role in the logistics industry, particularly for the transportation of perishable goods. Here are some common applications of dry ice in logistics:

  • Cold Chain ecommerce Shipping: Dry ice is extensively used in cold chain logistics to ensure that temperature-sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals and frozen foods, remain at optimal temperatures until they reach your home.
  • Cold Chain Production and Freight: Dry ice is employed to maintain the freshness and quality of perishable items during production and freight transportation. 

Dry ice is a versatile and invaluable tool for e-commerce frozen fulfillment and transportation, offering exceptional temperature control and preservation capabilities. Its unique properties make it ideal for maintaining the integrity of perishable goods during shipping. By understanding what dry ice is, how it’s made, its longevity, and its applications in shipping , businesses can optimize their logistics processes and deliver products with utmost quality and freshness.

How eGourmet Solutions Builds Customer Success

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eGourmet Solutions is a company that understands the importance of client engagement and how it can lead to improved performance within the Frozen/Cold goods industry. Through our commitment to customer satisfaction and collaboration, eGourmet Solutions has created a strong culture of engagement that has proven to be successful.

Customer satisfaction is a critical component of any successful business, and we recognize this. By providing our clients with direct access to our staff, including the COO, we ensure that customer inquiries and concerns are addressed in a timely and effective manner. Weekly calls can also be set up, allowing clients to discuss any ongoing issues or to provide feedback on their experiences. 

But wait, there’s more! eGourmet Solutions uses a ticketing system to track performance metrics such as response time and resolution rates. This allows us to monitor their performance and address any areas for improvement. By sharing both positive and negative feedback with the warehouse staff, we create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Collaboration is also a crucial factor in promoting engagement and improving performance. eGourmet Solutions understands this and has implemented various initiatives to encourage collaboration amongst their team members. We have team building exercises to help build strong relationships amongst employees, and we have weekly calls to ensure that everyone on staff is on the same page. The three managers who run each frozen or cold storage facility are integral to the success of our operations, and foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration. Finally, the annual eGourmet Olympics in June provides an opportunity for employees to come together and compete in a friendly and fun environment, further promoting a strong sense of teamwork and engagement.

Ready to experience the exceptional customer success that eGourmet Solutions offers? Partner with us today and unlock the full potential of your frozen fulfillment goals. Contact our team to discuss how our community-driven approach, industry-leading cold storage services, and commitment to customer satisfaction can drive your business forward. Providers deliver the same old pick pack and ship. Partners deliver results. Get in touch now and let’s embark on a journey of success together.

For a free fulfillment quote, call us at 800-791-7093, email us at [email protected] or click here!

Four More Things You Didn’t Know Needed Cold Storage

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In our previous blog post, we discussed five items that require cold storage to maintain their quality and longevity. This blog got lots of traction, so we thought we would follow up with four more.

Artwork

Whether you’re an artist or an art collector, you already know how important temperature  is to the preservation of artwork. While most artwork can be stored at slightly above freezing temperatures, the oldest and most fragile pieces can benefit from being stored in the freezing cold. . The cold  helps retain the vibrancy of the colors and guard against flaking and fading, two of the most common signs of deterioration. 

Flowers

Fresh Cut flowers are a beautiful addition to any room, but they have a limited lifespan., their lifespan can be extended by storing them in the cold. The cold helps maintain the crispness of the blooms, so they stay looking  fresh instead of wilting. This is especially useful for event planners or florists who need to keep flowers fresh for longer periods of time.

Textiles

Fur, as in fur coats or throws,  can become brittle and dry when subjected to warm temperatures. To keep them in pristine condition, it’s best to store them in dark, cold conditions. Dry cleaners often store fur in freezer-like structures away from other clothing. to help preserve their integrity.

Film

While digital photography has become the norm, some photography purists still prefer using old-school roll film to capture their art. Photographic film is very sensitive toheat and light, both of which can ruin the quality of the film  over time. Placing film securely in its canister and storing it in cold storage can help preserve it for years to come.

In conclusion, here are several items that require cold storage to maintain their quality and longevity. From artwork to film, these items can benefit from being stored in a cool space. By taking the time to properly store these items, you can ensure that they stay in excellent condition for years to come. 

Looking for Frozen/Cold Storage and Shipping?

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When it comes to managing and distributing temperature-sensitive products, businesses need reliable fulfillment services to ensure their products arrive at their destination in top condition. FrozenFulfillment.com offers a range of fulfillment services that cater to different temperature requirements, including mixed temperature fulfillment, frozen/refrigerated fulfillment, and sales sample fulfillment.

Frozen/Refrigerated Fulfillment

For companies that deal exclusively in temperature-sensitive products, FrozenFulfillment.com offers both frozen and refrigerated fulfillment services. Our proven processes and materials ensure that products are kept at the required temperature throughout the storage and distribution process, reducing the risk of spoilage and ensuring that products arrive in top condition. Frozen/Refrigerated fulfillment is particularly crucial for companies that deal in perishable goods, such as food or pharmaceuticals, where temperature control is essential.

Mixed Temperature Fulfillment

One of FrozenFulfillment.com’s unique services is mixed temperature fulfillment, which allows companies to not only store products of varying temperature needs in the same facility, but also ship those items in one single shipment while still respecting the temperature guidelines. This service is particularly useful for businesses that have a diverse range of products, some of which require refrigeration or freezing, while others need to be kept at room temperature. With mixed temperature fulfillment, businesses can streamline their supply chain, and ensure that their products are always stored and shipped at the optimal temperature.

Sales Sample Fulfillment

Another service offered by FrozenFulfillment.com is sales sample fulfillment, which is designed for businesses that need to send product samples to potential retail customers, PR opportunities or their sales team. This highly customizable service ensures that the V.I.P samples are shipped promptly and in top condition, helping businesses to make the best  first impression possible. With sales sample fulfillment, businesses can rest assured that their samples and shipment will provide a perfect and memorable “out of the box” experience. .

In conclusion, FrozenFulfillment.com offers a range of fulfillment services designed to cater to different temperature requirements. Whether businesses need to store and distribute products at different temperatures, manage perishable goods, or send product samples, FrozenFulfillment.com can provide reliable and efficient services to help businesses streamline their supply chain and ensure their products arrive in top condition.

If you’re looking for reliable temperature-sensitive product fulfillment services, look no further than eGourmet Solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business streamline your supply chain and fulfillment. Our team of experts is standing by to answer any questions you may have and to help you find the best fulfillment solution for your business.

For a free fulfillment quote, call us at 800-791-7093, email us at [email protected] or click here!

eGourmet Has Opened a New Location in Portland! 

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Hey there, perishable shippers! We have some exciting news for you! eGourmet Solutions is thrilled to announce the opening of its new warehouse in Portland, Oregon. That’s right, folks, we have expanded our temperature-controlled storage and fulfillment services to the Pacific Northwest….so that makes FIVE locations, strategically placed and operated exclusively by eGourmet. 

Carriers have notoriously had a difficult time delivering shipments coming from outside the region to the Pacific NW on time. Delays and subsequent thawed orders are common.  Our Portland facility turns every shipment to the Pacific NW into a 1-day transit so bye-bye thawed orders!  Out of Portland facility which has tons of cold storage space, we offer a wide range of cold storage and frozen fulfillment services to meet your needs, including e-commerce fulfillment, third-party logistics (3PL), and supply chain management. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the same great level of quality control and inventory management to ensure that your temperature-sensitive products stay frosty every step of the way. 

So what are you waiting for? Come chill with us at Frozen Fulfillment in Portland, located at 17600 NE San Rafael St, Portland, OR 97230. We promise to keep things cool, secure, and on time. And don’t forget to connect with us on social media and visit our website so we can help you freeze any of your logistics worries. We can’t wait to help you achieve your frozen fulfillment goals!

For a free quote, call us at 800-791-7093, email us at [email protected] or click this link: Get Pricing – eGourmet Solutions (frozenfulfillment.com).