Cold Storage Facility of the Year
Submission Deadline: JUNE 30, 2026
The Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Cold Storage Facility of the Year award honors a cold storage/3PL facility for its growth and leadership in the cold storage industry. Open to U.S. cold storage warehouses/3PL providers operating temperature-controlled facilities for cold foods distribution. If a company has multiple facilities, nominations must be for a specific site/location. Food manufacturers/processors with onsite or owned cold storage/logistics operations are eligible.
Greenfield developments are invited to submit nominations; however, the facility does not need to be new! It must be currently operational. Regardless of age or size, the cold storage facility must demonstrate how construction/expansions, food safety, sustainability, efficiency, etc. relate to its overall operation and customer satisfaction. Complete requirements are found in the submission form.
ELIGIBILITY
- Must be a U.S. cold storage/3PL provider with an operational food distribution/storage facility.
- Must discuss company news items, including new building construction, facility expansion, fleet management solutions, food safety solutions, automation, sustainability, etc.
- Must be available for executive interviews by email/Zoom and on-site visit summer of 2026.
- Must be able to provide high-res jpg images/videos.
- Only complete nomination forms will be considered.
Questions? Contact Editor-in-Chief Kelley Rodriguez at rodriguezk@bnpmedia.com. Good luck!
Who can submit nomination forms?
Cold storage and third-party logistics providers may self-nominate. Nominations are welcome from industry peers, including A/E and design-build firms, suppliers or others qualified to provide a detailed rationale for a particular facility. Submissions from suppliers does not imply your company name, personnel or image will appear in the final issue.
Dates to Remember:
June 30, 2026Submission deadline
July 2026
Final selection of the winner
Summer 2026
Interview & Site Visit (potential)
September 2026
Featured on the cover of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods and on the From the Cold Corner podcast. Also featured in R&FF’s newsletters, social media channels and shared across other BNP food and beverage brands.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the award open to foreign cold storage facilities?
No. The award is only open to facilities operating in the United States at this time.
My company has multiple facilities/locations. Can I just nominate the entire company?
No. This award seeks to highlight industry advancements through specific cold storage facilities/locations.
Can I nominate more than one facility?
Yes, a company may nominate more than one location. If a company has multiple facilities, nominations must be for a specific site/location. Food manufacturers/processors with onsite or owned cold storage operations are eligible.
My company just broke ground on a great new cold storage site – can I submit a nomination?
No. Greenfield developments are invited to submit nominations; however, the facility does not need to be new! It must be currently operational. We encourage you to submit your project for the 2027 award.
What information does the form require?
- Facility address
- Year built
- General contractor
- Design-build firm
- Fully leased? (If not, what type of capacity do you have available?)
- Why are you nominating this company?
- Why should this cold storage facility be considered?
- Detail applicant’s sustainability initiatives at this facility (including but not limited to energy management, natural resources management, recycling, solar, etc.
- Any aspects of sustainable construction may also be highlighted).
- Detail applicant’s use of technology/automation at this facility:
- Detail applicant’s overall site (building size, pallet positions, # of employees, dock doors, etc.)
- Detail services provided at this site
- Detail specific KPIs for this site and outcomes: (targets for throughput, operational efficiencies, new technology deployments, fleet management solutions, food safety, automation, etc. Anything that sets the facility and its operations apart).