By Barbara Wunder, FFVA communications manager

In January, several FFVA producer members had the chance to take advantage of a pilot program that offered handy access to the services of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., one of the world’s largest transportation, logistics and sourcing companies. In June, the FFVA Transportation Program was deemed successful and was made available to all Producer Members.

“The idea was born as a result of the 2004-2005 hurricanes,” said Danny Raulerson, FFVA’s director of marketing and membership. “Growers couldn’t find transportation. Now C.H Robinson can provide them with an entire trucking department at their fingertips.”

Florida wasn’t the only agricultural area experiencing transportation challenges at the shipping point. California also had problems. Western Growers, with whom FFVA has a strategic partnership, began talks with C.H. Robinson to see if a mutually beneficial agreement could be formed. Western Growers then presented the program it developed to FFVA.

Today, close to 30 percent of FFVA’s producer members participate in the transportation program, which allows shippers to transport commodities anywhere in the United States or internationally (import and export).

Raulerson explains how it works. “A company’s sales manager can call C.H. Robinson and ask for a truck to go wherever, whenever. He no longer has to act as a transportation broker and find the best deal. Now C.H. Robinson will find transportation and tell the sales manager the price, availability, shipment time and destination details.”

The partnership offers FFVA members a leg up in times of increased competition and rising fuel costs. They have quick and easy access to efficient and effective transportation solutions for quick delivery of fresh Florida produce.

FFVA Producer members can sign up to receive bi-weekly updates on transportation issues from C.H. Robinson Worldwide.

As one ofthe world’s largest third-party logistics companies, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. offers shippers flexibility because they don’t actually own the transpor-tation equipment. They are able to track trends, foresee potential problems and react to market and other conditions. In addition, state-of-the-art technology allows the company to connect with customers and carriers to keep everyone informed on the status of orders and loads and provide complete supply chain visibility.

“And the best thing is that C.H. Robinson is able to offer competitive rates even during the peak shipping season,” said Raulerson.

All it takes is a phone call to start using the program. Call Gary York at (866) 501-8191 or email him at Gary.York@chrobinson.com. If you prefer, call the FFVA Customer Account Team at (866) 771-1270 or email FFVA@chrobinson.com.

That call will not only allow you to use the program, it also will put you on a list to receive bi-weekly transportation updates. You don’t even have to put C.H. Robinson to work to receive the updates. “If anyone would like to be added to the list, they can email FFVA@chrobinson.com and we’ll be happy to add them,” said Jason Deis, who handles customer service for FFVA members.  

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C.H. Robinson also offers vegetable brokerage services. The transportation program is not affiliated with that division of the company.