Fresh produce doesn’t wait. It doesn’t sit politely in a warehouse for weeks and it doesn’t forgive poor planning. Every hour counts and any delay can mean lost revenue, wasted product, and disappointed customers. Whether it’s tomatoes for Subway or blooming onions for Outback Steakhouse, Robinson Fresh must ensure that each individual order arrives on time, and in the right quantities.
That’s why we’re spearheading Item-level Solutions, a unique set of logistics management techniques and technologies from C.H. Robinson, one of the largest logistics providers in the world with 37 million shipments annually. This capability allows us to bring unrivaled precision and speed to one of the most demanding supply chains in the business.
What are Item-level Solutions?
At their most basic, Item-level Solutions provide end-to-end visibility and control—not just at the shipment level, but down to the individual item or SKU. They are C.H. Robinson’s answer to complex, volatile modern supply chains, which can be found readily among the world’s most popular food and restaurant brands.
At Robinson Fresh, we combine product sourcing, supply chain solutions and exceptional service. That’s why we have invested in developing this platform, which combines advanced analytics, AI capabilities and our unrivaled scale to deliver a seamless experience for restaurant and foodservice sector customers. As a result, we can track, analyze and optimize every case of produce’s journey across the length of the supply chain.
For shippers, Item-level Solutions mean fewer stockouts, lower costs, and faster recovery from disruptions—all backed by the scale of C.H. Robinson. Here’s how:
- Purchase order management: Digitize and centralize POs across suppliers and distributors, improving accuracy and enabling full transportation planning.
- Item-level visibility: Track individual items or SKUs across the supply chain, with insights into location, status, and cost components like freight and warehousing.
- Inventory optimization: Align inventory with demand using predictive tools, automated replenishment, and redistribution strategies.
- Supply chain design: Use real-world data and scenario modeling to optimize transportation routes and networks, inventory, and warehouse locations.
Item-level Solutions have already enabled companies like Qdoba, Culver’s, and Bloomin’ Brands to save millions, reduce waste, and respond faster to disruptions. Building on that success, we’ve recently expanded this suite to deliver the same impact for customers across all sectors of the economy.
We know that technology alone isn’t enough. The real advantage lies in the combination of advanced technology and human supply chain experts—our own teams and the customer’s.
Asked about the benefits of working with CH Robinson, Chris McNutt, Vice President of Supply Chain for GoToFoods, the company behind well-known chains like Jamba, Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon, pointed to our scope of services, scale and technology. “But perhaps most importantly, it’s the people side of it,” he said. “Your team is really dedicated, they care, and they do whatever they can to service our business.”
Why it matters for produce
With 40,000 deliveries every single day, there’s one fact we always keep in mind at Robinson Fresh: Restaurant chains and retailers count on our ability to move high-touch, perishable produce quickly and with precision.
That’s why Item-level Solutions are so powerful: they allow us to work closely with customers to create the solutions that best meet their unique needs, whether it’s product quality, sustainability, technology or personalized service.
Item-level Solutions provide the additional layer of tech-driven precision that allows us to go above and beyond for our customers. That’s true in everyday operations, but it becomes extra clear when disruptions hit, and in addition to a set of next-generation supply chain capabilities, our Item-level Solutions prove to be a valuable part of disaster relief.
For instance, when a tornado took out a large distribution center in Texas, we were able to reroute produce and floral supplies to more than 200 stores in the area within 48 hours to keep shelves stocked—and customers satisfied.
The Robinson Fresh advantage
Of course, most days in our business are not marked by disruption, but by the need to deliver high-quality produce to our customers, dependably, efficiently, without fail. Because we’re part of C.H. Robinson, we can tap into one of the largest logistics platforms in the world. And with Item-level Solutions applied across our nationwide network of independent fresh distributors, we can deliver produce across North America with more speed, precision and consistency than ever before.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Forecasting and replenishment: Predictive tools help align inventory with demand, improving fill rates and avoiding stockouts.
- Freight cost transparency: Customers can see a breakdown of costs down to the SKU level, helping them negotiate better rates and make smarter decisions.
- Redistribution modeling: Robinson Fresh helps determine which items should ship directly and which should flow through redistribution centers, balancing cost and service.
- Disruption response: Whether it’s COVID, a natural disaster, or a more mundane supply chain hiccup, Robinson Fresh can reconfigure networks quickly to keep goods moving.
- Significant savings: Customers have seen 10–30% reductions in supply chain-related expenses.
And because the model is flexible, you can start at the level that makes sense for your business—say, with purchase order management—and expand as needed. Robinson Fresh acts as an extension of your team, integrating data streams, managing execution, and delivering insights that drive performance.
The bigger picture
Item-level Solutions are more than just a C.H. Robinson and Robinson Fresh innovation—they’re part of a broader shift in how supply chains operate. By bringing transparency and precision to a traditionally opaque system, Robinson Fresh is helping reshape the produce industry. For restaurants and retailers, that means fresher ingredients, smarter operations, and a supply chain that’s built for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Get started with Item-level Solutions
