COLD CHAIN 101

Meet the cold chain

COLD CHAIN 101

Meet the cold chain

What it takes to keep food fresh from farm to fork

We rarely think about where our food comes from, but there’s an entire industry dedicated to storing and moving your favorite commodities, from strawberries to ice cream, and keeping them cool at every stop in their journey.

Interior of a Lineage warehouse
Strengthening the food chain with connected warehousing
To feed the world, you need a partner who understands the importance of having a stronger, more connected cold storage warehousing network. Discover how Lineage sets the standard for temperature-controlled storage warehousing.

Welcome to the Cold Chain

Explore each stage of the cold chain by clicking the icons below to learn more.

FARMERS

Food from farmers around the world first enters the cold chain by road, rail or sea.

FOOD PRODUCERS

Food from producers around the world first enters the cold chain by road, rail or sea.

IMPORTERS

Food from importers around the world first enters the cold chain by road, rail or sea.

PRODUCER-ATTACHED FACILITY

Depending on the commodity, food may be further processed at a Lineage facility before going into cold storage.

FOOD PROCESSING / MANUFACTURING FACILITIES

Depending on the commodity, food may be further processed at a facility before going into cold storage.

DISTRIBUTION & FULFILLMENT CENTERS

As customer orders are made, products are sent to distribution and fulfillment centers where they're parsed out into orders and placed on pallets for delivery. Through multi-vendor consolidation, even the most complex orders are possible.

FOOD SERVICE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Lineage distribution centers act as key hubs, connecting food from warehouses to restaurants through a variety of transportation services.

FULFILLMENT CENTER

Lineage fulfillment centers act as key hubs, connecting food from warehouses to retailers and consumers through a variety of transportation services.

RETAIL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Lineage retail distribution centers act as key hubs, connecting food from warehouses to retailers through a variety of transportation services.

RETAILERS

Retailers receive their orders. From there, food is placed on shelves for the final consumer.

RESTAURANTS

Restaurants receive their orders. From there, food is plated for the final consumer.

CONSUMERS

Thanks to a more connected cold chain, people can enjoy popular commodities and delicacies from across the globe.

NEWS & STORIES

Learn more about the cold chain essentials

Woman in Lineage facility sorting oranges
Food Processing Facilities: The First Link in the Cold Chain

This interconnected web of food process facilities, cold storage warehouses and transportation services spans the entire planet and is the lifeline for perishables from farm to fork.

Cold Storage Warehousing: The Heart of the Cold Chain

The next link in the cold chain gets right to the heart of temperature-controlled logistics: cold storage warehousing.

Smiling driver in high-visibility vest standing beside a Lineage Transportation truck, representing the dedicated workforce behind efficient food supply chain logistics.
Transportation and Redistribution: Connecting Supply to Demand

Lineage enhances the global food supply chain with innovative transportation solutions across sea, road and rail, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.

DRIVEN BY OUR PURPOSE

One team at every link in the cold chain

Overhead view of four Lineage employees sorting oranges in a cold storage food warehouse.
A culture of continuous improvement

Lineage's Fort Worth - Gold Spike facility achieves LEAN Platinum, highlighting our drive for continuous improvement in supply chain management.

Two Lineage employees volunteer time to pack food into community food relief donation boxes for the Lineage Foundation for Good.
Working together during a time of need

During COVID lockdown, Lineage partnered with Steph Curry to hire more people who could help move food out to grocers and alleviate food shortages.

Lineage safety gear hanging on a wall
An unwavering commitment to safety

By encouraging team member involvement and emphasizing continuous improvement, our Great Plains site has become a beacon of sustainable safety excellence within our network. 

Lineage Truck
Managing complexity for maximum value

Discover innovative strategies for efficient, cost-effective temperature-controlled food transport in our transportation whitepaper.

Interior photo of automated Lineage cold storage facility.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Innovating the cold chain
We're using data science and patented technology to create a faster, smarter and more reliable cold chain.
Food Supply Chain Solutions

A worldwide leader in cold chain logistics

Exterior of warehouse at sunset
Global Warehousing

Our network of sophisticated, strategically located cold storage facilities offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for protecting your temperature-controlled products.

Man in high-vis jacket walking in front of a Lineage truck
Global Integrated Solutions

Our end-to-end transportation services help streamline your business and move your products from point of origin all the way to the last mile.

View of shipping port with Lineage cold storage facilities and fleet of temperature-controlled trucks.
CONTACT US
Let's feed the world together
We're here to be your trusted, strategic partner. For inquiries on our integrated solutions and cold storage services, use the form to connect with our team.