Keeping Cafeteria Favorites Fresh with Cold Storage

Back-to-school season means busy classrooms, packed hallways, and the return of another familiar routine: a cafeteria school lunch.

Behind every slice of pizza, carton of milk, serving of fresh fruit, and tray of chicken tenders is a foodservice operation that depends on careful planning. Schools and their suppliers need the right ingredients in the right quantities, and those products need to remain properly stored until they're ready to be prepared and served.

Businesses that rely on refrigerated and frozen inventory don't all have the same storage needs. Some require additional capacity for just a few weeks during peak season, while others need a long-term cold storage partner to support year-round operations without investing in new facilities.

As temperatures climb during the summer months, the risks to frozen and refrigerated products increase significantly. From transportation delays and equipment strain to temperature fluctuations and product spoilage, even minor disruptions can have major consequences throughout the cold chain.

For food manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and suppliers, protecting temperature-sensitive products isn’t just about maintaining quality, it’s about safeguarding food safety, reducing waste, and protecting your bottom line.

Freezing guidelines: keeping it cool, one perfectly frozen bite at a time. Freezing food might sound simple, just toss it in and shut the door, but there’s actually a bit of science (and some art) to doing it right. Whether you’re preserving a bumper crop of vegetables, storing seafood, or keeping your favorite comfort meals fresh, how you freeze makes a big difference in taste, texture, and quality.

At Interstate Cold Storage, we take great pride in being a member of the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). This organization plays a vital role in shaping the future of the frozen, dairy, and refrigerated food industries. Our membership is a strategic partnership that helps us deliver better service, stay ahead of the curve, and contribute to the health, safety, and satisfaction of our customers.

Berries are among the most delicate and in-demand fruits in the food industry. From strawberries and blueberries to raspberries and blackberries, these vibrant fruits are packed with flavor, and highly sensitive to temperature and handling. At Interstate Cold Storage, we understand how important proper freezing and cold storage are to preserving the taste, texture, and shelf life of berries.

Ice cream is more than just a favorite frozen treat, it’s a product that demands precise handling and storage to maintain its taste, texture, and safety. At Interstate Cold Storage, we understand the strict temperature controls and logistics required to deliver a premium ice cream experience from factory to freezer.

Interstate Cold Storage (ICS), a leading provider of cold storage warehousing, is proud to announce that its Columbus II facility has achieved Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, a globally recognized food safety standard administered by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI). 

Freezing is one of the most reliable methods for preserving food, extending its shelf life while maintaining quality and safety. For businesses in the food industry, following proper freezing guidelines is essential to ensure food remains fresh, safe, and suitable for consumption. At Interstate Cold Storage, we specialize in providing state-of-the-art freezing and storage solutions for a wide range of food products. Here are some essential freezing guidelines to help optimize your food preservation process.

At Interstate Cold Storage, safeguarding the integrity and safety of our customers' products is paramount. We understand that food safety is more than just a business requirement; it’s a responsibility to protect public health. Our comprehensive security measures ensure that we not only protect the bottom line for our customers but also the well-being of consumers.