Ironstead Freight is a family run reefer brokerage. Every load is arranged by Josh or Estelle directly. No call centres, no ticket queues, no automated systems.
We do not broker dry van, flatbed, or LTL. Cold chain is our only business. That focus means deeper carrier relationships, faster coverage, and better outcomes on every single load.
Southeast US produce is our primary lane. Tomatoes out of Immokalee, citrus from the Ridge, strawberries from Plant City. We know the farms, the pack houses, the seasonal windows, and the USDA inspection requirements that most brokers have never read.
Strict temperature compliance from origin to delivery. Every carrier we use for protein has been vetted for working refrigeration units, pre-trip inspection records, and compliant sanitary transport agreements. We carry temperature logs on every load as standard.
Full cold chain integrity from pickup to proof of delivery. We pre-screen every carrier for continuous temperature monitoring capability and carry complete temperature documentation for your records on every shipment.
Raw ingredients in, finished goods out. We handle both inbound ingredient supply runs and outbound distribution lanes for food processors and co-manufacturers across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Large brokers move every mode of freight for thousands of shippers. We move refrigerated freight for a focused group of Southeast US customers. The difference in service quality is not subtle.
When you call Ironstead you speak to Josh or Estelle. On the first load and the hundredth. No account rotations, no new reps who do not know your business. The people who sold you the service are the people running your freight.
When something goes wrong at 2am on a Saturday, the person who arranged your load is the person who fixes it. No escalation chains, no ticket references. A direct call, a direct solution.
Every carrier is checked against FMCSA safety records, CSA scores, insurance certificates, and our own direct qualification process. We will not put a carrier on your freight that we would not use ourselves.
Full temperature records available on delivery. Not on request. Not for premium accounts. For every load, every time. Required for FSMA compliance and available for your audit records without asking.
We have spent years building direct relationships with owner operators and small fleets running Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Not brokered relationships. Direct ones. That means faster coverage and more reliable service on tight lanes.
The rate we quote is the rate you pay. No fuel surcharge added after booking, no accessorial fees buried in the invoice. Every cost discussed and agreed before the load moves. That is the only way we operate.
Ironstead Freight was founded because we had seen first hand what happens when a shipper calls a large broker during a delivery issue and gets put in a queue. Produce sitting at a dock waiting for someone to respond to a ticket.
We built Ironstead to be the brokerage we would want to work with. Small enough to be personal. Focused enough to be expert. Accountable enough to be trusted.
"You will speak to one of us on every call. Not because we have a policy that says so. Because there are only two of us."
Josh and Estelle, Co-Founders
Carrier relationships, load booking and day to day operations. Southeast US lane specialist. Available 7am to 12pm EST. Direct mobile number given to every shipper on day one.
Shipper relationships, pricing strategy and client development. Handles contracting, rate negotiations and new account setup. Available 12pm to 6pm EST. Same direct access policy.
Southeast US reefer spot rates updated weekly. The numbers below are live market data. Your firm quote may vary based on load specifics, date, and capacity. Contact us for a guaranteed rate.
| Lane | Commodity | Distance | Spot Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immokalee, FL → Atlanta, GA | Tomatoes, mixed produce | 490 mi | $3.80/mi | Active |
| Tampa, FL → Nashville, TN | Mixed produce, citrus | 620 mi | $3.55/mi | Active |
| Miami, FL → Charlotte, NC | Seafood, perishables | 710 mi | $3.45/mi | Active |
| Orlando, FL → Washington, DC | Citrus, specialty perishables | 960 mi | $4.10/mi | Active |
| Atlanta, GA → New York, NY | Mixed produce, food mfg | 870 mi | $4.20/mi | Active |
| Savannah, GA → Philadelphia, PA | Port containers, frozen | 750 mi | $3.90/mi | Seasonal |
Rates are indicative spot market data as of June 2026. Contact us directly for a firm, guaranteed quote on your specific lane and load.
Refrigerated food freight in the United States is subject to strict federal regulation. Every load we move is handled in full compliance with FMCSA broker authority requirements and the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act sanitary transportation rules.
Tell us your lane, commodity, and required temperature range. We will come back with a firm rate in under two hours during business hours. No portals, no automations. Just a direct reply from Josh or Estelle.
Request a QuoteSend us your load details and we will come back with a firm, all-in rate. Every enquiry is read by Josh or Estelle personally.
We respond within 2 business hours. Josh or Estelle will reply directly.