June starts a critical point in the West Coast produce calendar, especially in California’s fertile Fresno County, which sits in the San Joaquin Valley. Part of the greater Central Valley, aka the “food basket of the world,” Fresno County continues to lead the nation in agricultural output, producing a staggering variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. In general, California’s rich, diverse soil and temperate climate are the secret sauce that enable the rich bounty.
According to the most recent crop report from the Fresno County Department of Agriculture, the region hit an all-time high in total crop value in 2023, surpassing $8.58 billion and maintaining its spot as the top agricultural county in the U.S.
This cornucopia of abundance doesn’t move itself. Behind every crate of stone fruit, box of bell peppers, or flat of strawberries is a tight network of logistics professionals ensuring produce moves quickly and safely from field to market.
At the forefront of this effort is VCPB Transportation, a leader in temperature-controlled produce transportation, from the West Coast to citrus-heavy Florida. With deep roots in Central California — including the produce-rich Salinas Valley to the west of Fresno — and a fleet built for performance, VCPB helps bring Fresno County’s early summer harvest to grocery shelves across the country on time and in peak condition.
By early June, Fresno County is already bursting with fresh produce. This transitional month is key for crops that flourish in warm, dry weather and long daylight hours. Stone fruits like peaches, cherries, nectarines, and plums dominate packing sheds in early June. Vine-ripened tomatoes and melons also enter peak harvest in early to mid summer.
Strawberries continue their final flush in northern stretches of the valley, while garlic harvest runs from June through August. For many growers, June represents a balancing act: managing multiple harvest cycles simultaneously while preparing for the heavier July and August yields. With such a variety of produce coming online, the demand for nimble, reliable transportation is at its peak.
Shipping fresh produce is one of the most demanding sectors in transportation. Unlike durable goods, fruits and vegetables are perishable, sensitive to heat, humidity, and mishandling. Maintaining the integrity of the cold chain is crucial; any temperature spike in transit can reduce shelf life, diminish quality, or even cause total product loss.
In early summer, California’s Central Valley often experiences triple-digit temperatures, creating added pressure on reefer units and carrier response times. Growers and distributors must also contend with tight delivery windows, fluctuating market demand, and frequent changes to loading schedules. Poor coordination between field, warehouse, and trucking can quickly lead to missed appointments, detention costs, and spoilage.
For shippers, the key to success lies in working with carriers that understand the nuances of produce shipping, not just shipping generalists. That means anticipating weather shifts, monitoring reefer temperature 24/7, communicating in real time, and having contingency plans in place.
This is where VCPB Transportation truly stands out. With decades of experience hauling produce throughout California and beyond, VCPB has built a reputation on performance, communication, and care. Their fleet of late-model, temperature-controlled trailers is outfitted with advanced telematics that monitor and log internal temperatures during every mile of a haul. This technology provides growers and buyers of fruits and vegetables and produce peace of mind that their goods are being kept at the exact conditions required, from pickup to final delivery.
VCPB’s operational model is built on produce seasonality. They understand harvest timelines, loading procedures at packing sheds, and what happens when trucks get stuck in midday Fresno heat. Their drivers are trained specifically in fresh produce handling, from pre-trip inspections to last-mile delivery, with attention to load balancing, pallet integrity, and seal verification.
Additionally, VCPB maintains strong relationships with growers, distributors, and retail buyers throughout the West. These partnerships enable better forecasting, improved pickup coordination, and smoother distribution to terminals, grocery chains, and foodservice centers.
VCPB’s ability to scale operations during high-volume harvest weeks, all while maintaining on-time performance and product quality, makes us a vital partner in the Fresno County supply chain.
Fresno County’s summer produce season is a celebration of California agriculture at its best. From peaches and peppers to squash and strawberries, the bounty of the Central Valley is a staple of summertime eating across the nation. But moving that bounty to market takes more than just good weather. It requires skilled logistics, reliable equipment, and trusted partners that know the nuances of produce transport.
VCPB Transportation has long stood as a cornerstone of that network, delivering consistent results year after year. Our commitment to temperature control, scheduling precision, and proactive service gives growers and shippers the confidence to move perishable products during the busiest time of the year.
As Fresno County ramps up its peak harvest months, there’s never been a better time to choose a carrier that knows the territory and takes pride in every load. Start shipping with VCPB today and keep your produce as fresh as the day it was picked.
VCPB Transportation
600 Meadowlands Pkwy Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 770-0111
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