After Labor Day, summer crops like berries, melons, and stone fruits taper off, while fall produce such as apples, pumpkins, squash, and potatoes begin moving in higher volumes. These seasonal shifts affect freight demand, regional capacity, and the types of equipment needed to move produce efficiently across the United States. Understanding these patterns helps shippers and carriers plan ahead for peak harvest periods.

Freight Market Impacts

During the fall season, trucks are drawn to regions with high harvest volumes. Rates can fluctuate as demand spikes, and equipment requirements often shift from delicate summer produce to heavier, bulkier fall produce.

“Seasonal surges in one region can ripple through the entire freight network, pulling capacity, raising rates, and tightening availability nationwide,” shares Shane Ryan, Carrier Relationship Manager at Sunrise Logistics.

Understanding when and where these surges occur can help shippers anticipate challenges and adjust their logistics strategies. Below are key fall freight events that often influence truck availability and rates across the country.

Key Fall Freight Events

• Apple Harvest (Sept–Oct): High-volume shipments tighten capacity in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest.

• Potato & Onion Harvest (Sept–Oct): Strong truckload demand in Idaho, Washington, and the Midwest.

• Corn Harvest (Sept–Nov): Increased traffic across the Midwest and South for both fresh and processing corn.

• Halloween (Oct): Pumpkins, gourds, and squash create short-term spikes in demand.

• Diwali (Oct 20–24, 2025): Retail and import shipments can tighten California capacity.

• California Pomegranate Season (Oct–Nov): Central Valley shipments draw regional truck availability.

• Thanksgiving (Nov): High volumes of root vegetables, squash, potatoes, onions, corn, cranberries, cheese, and Thanksgiving turkeys from Minnesota increases freight demand.

• Christmas (Dec): Christmas trees from the Pacific Northwest and holiday imports from Asia add extra pressure on freight networks.

Each event can ripple across the country, influencing truck availability, equipment needs, and rates.

Planning for Fall Freight

Understanding the timing of harvests and seasonal events is essential. Trucks may need to be redirected to harvest-heavy regions, equipment may need adjustment for heavier loads, and rates can fluctuate with demand spikes. By anticipating these changes, shippers and carriers can better manage capacity and avoid delays.

“Leveraging forecasting, industry expertise, and strong carrier partnerships, we keep freight moving year-round. As part of The Four Seasons Family of Companies, we live and breathe produce, specializing in refrigerated FTL, LTL, warehousing, imports, and exports. In short, we deliver freight solutions that many find challenging, keeping us and our customers one step ahead,” says Shane Ryan.

Flexibility, regional knowledge, and early planning make it easier to navigate the busy fall season. Those who prepare ahead can move fall produce efficiently and reduce the risk of delays or cost increases.

Contact us today to learn more about keeping your fall produce moving efficiently.

Gianfranco Camaiora from AGR Prime Foods, a family-owned company in Lima, Peru, visited Sunrise Logistics as their first load of Peruvian mandarins arrived. This partnership highlights how we support growers in bringing fresh produce to U.S. markets.

We provide full end-to-end 3PL support to ensure products arrive fresh and market-ready, including:

• Inbound transportation: Coordinating shipments from growers to our facility

• Quality checks: Inspecting fruit upon arrival

• Warehousing: Efficient storage and handling

• Distribution: Delivering across the Northeast

Partnerships like this help growers expand their reach and access new markets while maintaining high standards of quality throughout the supply chain. We value our relationship with AGR Prime Foods and take pride in supporting another family-owned business that shares our commitment to quality, care, and integrity.

During Gianfranco’s visit, we highlighted the behind-the-scenes operations at Four Seasons Produce, from receiving and quality inspections to carefully storing the fruit. We continue to support AGR Prime Foods as they grow their presence in the U.S. and deliver exceptional-quality mandarins to customers across the Northeast.

Partner with us for end-to-end 3PL support and deliver your fresh produce efficiently. Contact us today to get started.

June 28 is National Logistics Day, a day to honor the people, processes, and partnerships that keep goods moving efficiently across the country and around the world. At Sunrise Logistics, we’re proud to be part of that effort, especially when it comes to managing the complexities of the fresh produce supply chain.

A key part of the fresh supply chain is the Port of Philadelphia, or PhilaPort, a critical hub for many of the imported products we handle daily. Recently, our team had the opportunity to visit PhilaPort and see its operations up close, gaining insight into how the port handles the volume and care required for perishable goods.

PhilaPort is the busiest refrigerated container port in the U.S. The Packer Avenue Marine Terminal spans 160 acres and includes six deepwater berths capable of accommodating some of the largest vessels. It’s equipped with five super post-Panamax cranes and over 2.2 million cubic feet of refrigerated, on-dock storage. With 2,500 reefer plugs available, the terminal is designed to maintain strict temperature control for cold-sensitive cargo like fresh fruits and vegetables from the moment they arrive.

This infrastructure supports the rapid and efficient handling of perishable items such as berries, avocados, and citrus fruits. These products often travel thousands of miles arriving at PhilaPort to be quickly transferred into temperature-controlled storage or loaded directly onto refrigerated trucks.

At Sunrise Logistics, we collaborate closely with the port, our carriers, and our customers to ensure a seamless supply chain. Our services include drayage from the port to our food-grade warehouse in Ephrata, PA, where we provide cold storage, refrigerated transportation, and managed logistics solutions—all customized to keep fresh products moving safely and on schedule.

National Logistics Day serves as a reminder to recognize this collective effort. Our visit to PhilaPort made it clear how many moving parts it takes, and how much collaboration is required, to bring fresh product from overseas to store shelves in just days.

At Sunrise Logistics, we’re honored to be part of the fresh supply chain. Whether coordinating port pick-ups or managing final-mile deliveries, our mission remains clear: to help others succeed in fresh.

Photo credit: Port of Philadelphia

At Sunrise Logistics, our mission is to help others succeed in fresh. That’s why we’re proud to partner with So Good So You, a brand celebrated for their cold-pressed juice shots crafted to support your mood with functional flavors including Energy, made with passionfruit juice and organic caffeine; Immunity, featuring watermelon and strawberry juice plus 100% of your daily value of vitamins C and D; and Happy, crafted from vibrant blood orange and guava juice.

As their Northeast 3PL partner, we provide comprehensive cold chain logistics solutions that maintain product freshness and quality at every step. Maintaining the freshness of So Good So You’s cold-pressed juice shots requires a seamless logistics operation. From refrigerated transportation to our food-safe, climate-controlled warehouse at Four Seasons Produce, our team carefully manages inventory, processes orders—including specialized case picking programs—and coordinates reliable shipping solutions throughout the Northeast.

By combining expert cold chain logistics with personalized service, we help So Good So You deliver fresh, high-quality wellness shots to retailers like Costco and Target—ensuring these wellness-boosting products reach store shelves for you to enjoy.

Together, we are keeping wellness fresh and moving—helping So Good So You reach more customers and bring the benefits of their wellness shots to communities across the region.

The Sunrise team is all smiles as they receive So Good So You wellness shots into our refrigerated warehouse!
Featured in photo (from left to right): Alexandria Tristaino, Andrew Huntington, Jillian Shirey, and April Spencer

Ready to keep your fresh products moving with precision and care? Contact us today to learn how our cold chain logistics solutions can help your business succeed.

Sunrise Logistics is proud to be an official member of the Cheese Importers Association of America, Inc. (CIAA). With over 200 members across 21 import countries, the CIAA plays an important role in advocating for the cheese import industry and keeping its members informed and connected on key regulatory, legislative, and trade issues.

As a trusted logistics provider, Sunrise Logistics—together with our European partner Foodcareplus, delivers international end-to-end cold chain solutions for the global transport of cheese products.

“At Sunrise Logistics we strive to help others Succeed in Fresh. While raised in the produce industry, our goal is to expand into other fresh categories. As a second generation Family Owned company, we have spent the past 10+ years building out a portfolio of services that we believe has positioned us as a highly capable fresh supply chain leader. We look forward to building partnerships within the Cheese Importers Association and Helping Imported Cheese Succeed in Fresh,” shares Chad Ogden of Sunrise Logistics.

Our membership in the CIAA helps us stay ahead of industry developments and reflects our strong commitment to supporting cheese importers with reliable, specialized cold chain logistics. We are also proud to support I Love Imported Cheese, an initiative sponsored by the CIAA that helps educate and inspire consumers about the quality and diversity of imported cheeses.

We are excited to be part of this impactful organization and look forward to collaborating with our fellow members to help the industry grow and thrive.

To learn more about our international dairy logistics solutions, contact us at partnerwithus@sunriselogisticsinc.com

2025 Cheese Importers Association of America, Inc. Membership Award

At Sunrise Logistics, we are proud to support the continued growth of Joolies, the organic Medjool date brand known affectionately as Palm Tree Candy. While Joolies has been delighting customers for years, our role is to help make their products even more accessible across the Northeast by providing efficient, reliable logistics and distribution services in partnership with Four Seasons Produce.

From managing inbound freight to coordinating Northeast Distribution Services from our Ephrata, PA hub, Sunrise handles the full logistics process to ensure Joolies products get where they need to be—on time and in great condition. Our case pick capabilities allow retailers to order the quantities that make the most sense for them, helping reduce lead times and minimize excess inventory. We also offer dedicated account management to ensure our retail partners get the support they need every step of the way.

Through this partnership, Joolies is now available at more retailers throughout the region, including Thrive Market, Acme, Hungry Root, Market Basket and more!

Joolies offers a variety of date-based snacks made from their organic, hand-picked California Medjool dates. From their nostalgic Date Pops—with flavors like PB&J, Brownie, Cinnamon Bun, and Lemon Bar—to on-the-go snack packs and bulk offerings, their lineup is as versatile as it is delicious. And with their eye-catching mint green packaging, they’re easy for consumers to spot on the shelf.

We are excited to play a role in helping Joolies expand their reach and bring more of nature’s candy to date lovers throughout the Northeast. This collaboration is a great example of how our logistics solutions help growing brands scale smartly and sustainably.

Sunrise Logistics and Four Seasons Associates Welcome Joolies’ First Shipment
Featured in photo (from left): Jillian Shirey, Eli Saenz, Brandon Bowen, and April Spencer

At Sunrise, we are driven by a passion for hosting customers and connecting with our local community. Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming the leadership team from Detwiler’s Farm Market, all the way from Sarasota, Florida, to Lancaster County. This visit provided us with a chance to share our local culture and strengthen our partnership.

We had the pleasure of introducing the Detwiler’s team to some of Lancaster County’s favorite spots, including Shady Maple! Featured in the photo are Shady Maple’s Founder, Marvin Weaver, and CEO, Lin Weaver. The Weavers took time to share the rich history of Shady Maple, their commitment to friendliness and service, and their core values of: Faith, Truth, Integrity, Initiative, Compassion, and Authenticity.

Shady Maple features a 40,000-square-foot gift shop, a 1,200-seat buffet packed with Lancaster County authentic favorites, and a modern market offering top-quality produce, groceries, and a bakery. As one of the most fun and popular tourist destinations in the area, it was inspiring to hear firsthand how the Shady Maple legacy has shaped Lancaster County’s hospitality scene. It’s no surprise that Shady Maple was recently featured in the film Brave The Dark, filmed right here in Lancaster County!

In addition to visiting Shady Maple, we stopped by some other local favorites, including Wegmans, Oregon Dairy, and Fox Meadows. Each location offered a firsthand look at the family-owned businesses that are a big part of Lancaster County’s charm. We wrapped up the day with a  dinner at Bulls Head in Lititz.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this visit was the opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the Detwiler’s Team, a family-owned and operated store in Sarasota, Florida, since 2002. Detwiler’s Farm Market currently has six store locations in the Sarasota area and a new distribution center currently under construction. Detwiler’s continues to grow, and we are grateful to support their expansion with our managed transportation services.

Detwiler’s sources products from across the country, including some of Lancaster County’s best, like John F. Martin deli meats and cheeses.  Utilizing our Sunrise Transport Fleet and partner carriers, we provide strong and reliable supply chain solutions to help them succeed in fresh!

Our time spent with Detwiler’s was a reminder of how meaningful it is to share the culture of our local area. Lancaster County is known for its welcoming people, delicious food, and rich traditions, and we’re proud to be able to introduce these elements to the Detwiler’s Team.

We look forward to continued collaboration with Detwiler’s and more opportunities to strengthen our partnership. Thank you for being part of the Sunrise family.

To learn more about Shady Maple, visit their website at https://www.shady-maple.com/.

To learn more about Detwiler’s Farm Market, visit their website at https://detwilermarket.com/.

Featured in main photo from left: Casey Horne (Detwiler’s Farm Market), Chad Ogden (Sunrise Logistics, Inc.), Mike Asher (Detwiler’s Farm Market), Marvin Weaver (Shady Maple), Lin Weaver (Shady Maple), Josh Detwiler (Detwiler’s Farm Market), Kevin Bender (Sunrise Logistics, Inc.)