Center Valley Logistics refrigerated trailer being loaded with palletized fresh produce

Pickup and delivery appointments

Plan produce appointments from the last pickup, not the first requested time.

A receiver appointment can look workable until the origin releases late, a second pickup is added, or loading takes longer than planned. Appointment planning should connect every facility event to the final receiver window and identify who can approve or communicate a change.

The receiver has a fixed delivery appointment.
The load includes multiple pickup facilities.
The origin has not confirmed product or dock readiness.

Request Produce Transportation All Produce Resources

Use this guide when

Start with the operating situation.

The receiver has a fixed delivery appointment.
The load includes multiple pickup facilities.
The origin has not confirmed product or dock readiness.
A missed window could create rescheduling or accessorial exposure.

Checkpoint 01

Work backward from receiving

Start with the receiver appointment, check-in cutoff, required references, unload method, and local constraints. Then test whether the route remains feasible after every pickup, loading duration, stop, and expected handoff.

01Appointment number and local time zone
02Earliest arrival, cutoff, and rescheduling contact
03Gate, check-in, purchase-order, and lumper instructions where applicable
04Unloading and pallet-exchange expectations

Checkpoint 02

Make the last pickup visible

For a multi-pick movement, the last facility controls when uninterrupted transit can begin. Record each ready window, expected loading duration, miles between stops, and product or pallet placement requirement.

01Facility order and approved routing
02Ready window and appointment at every stop
03Pallets, weight, commodity, and references by stop
04Latest pickup completion that still supports the receiver plan

Checkpoint 03

Set an exception path

A useful appointment plan names who receives an update, who can request a new appointment, and which information must be included. Do not wait until arrival to communicate a known risk.