Thank a Truck Driver Today

Getting fresh produce from our farm to your favorite stores is only possible because of the Truck Drivers who deliver it quickly and safely. Because of this, each year during the second week of September, we observe Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 12-18, 2021). This seven-day celebration honors the millions of men and women who make sure our goods are delivered to us daily.

This week is important because while we drive past semi-trucks every day on the road, we may not appreciate that Truck Drivers provide us with quick and easy access to almost everything we want and need.

Let’s take a closer look at why it is important to recognize the millions of professionals across Canada and the United States who move our world forward by delivering the most essential items.  

Why Truck Driver Appreciation Week matters

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week was founded in 1998 to highlight how critical trucking is to our economy. Whether it’s regular times or navigating extraordinary challenges — from natural disasters to a global pandemic — Truck Drivers are on the front lines, delivering essential freight safely, securely, and on time.

Did you know:

• The average professional Truck Driver logs more than 100,000 miles per year, which equals almost four trips around the equator.
• Truck Drivers safely transport billions of tons of goods every year.
• Many communities across North America depend solely on trucks to deliver goods.

Our Grow-To People Talk Trucking

Here’s what a few of our Grow-To People have to say about driving for Nature Fresh Farms.

“Truck drivers get grocery stores their food and hospitals and other essential services their supplies on time.”

Bill Willson

“There is no better feeling than getting behind the wheel and being somewhere completely new in a few hours.”

Roger Laprise

How We’re Trucking Greener

Since trucking is such a critical part of our operation, we spend as much time and energy thinking about how to ship the food as we do to growing it. Here are some ways we are innovating our distribution to be more efficient and friendlier to our planet.

Long Haul Electric Truck Research Project

In 2021, we partnered with the faculty at the University of Windsor on a research project involving long-haul electric trucks. As a business that relies on long-haul trucking to deliver our vegetables from the farm to stores across North America, this partnership was a perfect match to gain insight into how we can optimize the routes transport trucks take when driving throughout Ontario.

These battery-operated trucks will look, haul, and perform similarly to the diesel trucks we currently have on the road, but with zero emissions! 

The partnership between Nature Fresh Farms and the University of Windsor is an outstanding opportunity to see how we can transport food quicker and greener across our continent. Find out more by reading our blog here.

SmartWay Partnership

While transport trucks are one of the most popular vehicles used to deliver the goods that we all enjoy, there are kinks at this point in the supply chain that need to be addressed.

That’s why, in 2020, we decided to take a step towards greener transportation by becoming an approved SmartWay Shipper Partner! Recognized across North America, the SmartWay Partnership helps shippers and carriers move goods efficiently, by maximizing load capacity, and minimizing fuel costs and carbon emissions.

As a SmartWay Shipper Partner, we’re committed to tracking transportation data for all the fresh produce we send to stores, including the distance it has traveled, and the amount of fuel that was used to get it there. When we submit this data to our friends at SmartWay, they provide us with guidance and tools to help us discover new ways to ship smarter! Read more in our blog.

Easy To Thank Truck Drivers

Being a Truck Driver requires skill, dedication, and sacrifice. Many Drivers spend long stretches of time away from their families to make sure others have what they need.

Here are some small gestures you can make to help show your appreciation.

Practice Road Awareness

Be patient and courteous while sharing the road with Truck Drivers. Large trucks need more room to stop and more space to maneuver in traffic. Make sure you’re visible to them and leave plenty of room.

Assemble a Care Package

Show the Truck Driver in your life they are appreciated by packing a basket filled with practical items like gift cards, drinks, snacks, hand sanitizer, a T-shirt, gloves, flashlight, multi-use tools and other items they would enjoy.

Share Support on Social Media

Another way to extend your gratitude to Truck Drivers across the country is to take it to social media. By sharing news, updates, and thank you messages on your social media channels you can digitally shout your support from the rooftops to raise awareness among your friends and family about how much we rely on these Drivers.

Use the #ThankaTrucker hashtag on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to compose a heartwarming appreciation message to our essential Truck Drivers.

Make Every Week National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

During these challenging times we have grown to appreciate how our economy relies on the dedication and hard work of front-line heroes like our Truck Drivers. We are constantly inspired by their stories and celebrate all the professional Drivers across North America who help our communities grow.