Most brokers put you on hold when it counts most. Ironstead is different. Founded by Josh & Estelle, every load is arranged personally by our team — no call centres, no ticket queues, no one who doesn't know your freight.
We don't broker dry van, flatbed, or LTL. Cold chain is our only business. That focus means we know things most brokers don't — the farms, the seasonal windows, the inspection requirements. And when something goes sideways, we fix it fast, because reefer is all we do.
Southeast US produce is our primary lane — and we mean that. Tomatoes out of Immokalee, citrus from the Ridge, strawberries from Plant City. We know the farms, the pack houses, and the seasonal windows. We know what pre-cooling a load actually means, and we know what happens when a carrier shows up without a functioning unit. So does every carrier we work with.
Temperature compliance isn't a box we tick — it's the thing we stay on top of every single load. Every carrier we use for protein has been personally vetted: working refrigeration units confirmed, pre-trip inspection records reviewed, and sanitary transport agreements in place before they ever touch your freight. Temperature logs on every load, without you having to ask.
Full cold chain integrity from pickup to proof of delivery — not just on paper. We pre-screen every carrier for continuous temperature monitoring capability and give you complete documentation on every shipment. Not because you ask for it. Because that's the right way to do this.
Raw ingredients in, finished goods out — and both have to move on time or your production line stops. We handle inbound ingredient supply runs and outbound distribution lanes for food processors and co-manufacturers across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Tell us your schedule and we'll build around it.
Large brokers move every mode of freight for thousands of shippers. We move refrigerated freight for a focused group of clients who want it done right. The difference isn't just service quality — it's whether someone picks up when it matters most.
Founded by Josh and Estelle, Ironstead is built on the belief that freight brokerage should feel personal. No account rotations. No reps who've never heard of your company. The people who win your trust are the same people who keep it — load after load.
When something goes wrong at 2am on a Saturday, the person who booked your load is the person who fixes it. No hold music, no escalation chains, no ticket numbers. Just a direct call and a real solution — because we know what a spoiled load costs you.
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've built direct relationships with owner-operators and small fleets running Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Not brokered connections — direct ones, built on trust and fair pay. That means faster coverage, fewer no-shows, and carriers who actually want to run your freight.
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'd both 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. A driver waiting in the heat. Nobody responding to the ticket.
We built Ironstead to be the broker we always wished existed. Small enough to be personal. Focused enough to be expert. Accountable enough that we give you our direct contact from day one — and mean it.
"We didn't build Ironstead to be big. We built it to be the broker we always wished existed — one where your freight isn't a ticket in a queue, but a conversation with people who genuinely care."
Josh and Estelle, Co-Founders
Carrier relationships, load booking and day-to-day operations. Southeast US lane specialist. You'll have a direct line to Josh from the moment we start working together — not a support inbox, a real person.
Shipper relationships, pricing strategy and new account development. Handles contracting, rate negotiations, and getting new customers set up smoothly. The same direct access — Estelle's contact goes out on day one, no gatekeeping.
These figures give you a realistic starting point for Southeast US reefer lanes. For a firm quote on your load, just get in touch — we'll turn it around quickly.
| 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 |
The figures above reflect recent Southeast US reefer market data and are updated periodically. They're a guide, not a guarantee — actual rates vary by date, load specifics, and available capacity. For a firm quote, call us or send a message and we'll get back to you the same day.
Refrigerated food freight is heavily regulated — and rightly so. We think compliance should be the bare minimum, not the selling point. Here's what we maintain, so you never have to worry about it on our end.
Tell us your lane, commodity, and temperature requirement — and we'll come back with a firm, all-in rate within two hours. No portals, no auto-replies, no wondering if anyone read your message. Just a real answer from people who know exactly what they're doing — and genuinely want your freight to arrive right.
Get a Real QuoteSend us your load details and we'll come back with a firm, all-in rate. No auto-replies, no holding queues — every message lands with a real person who knows your freight and is ready to help.