Food & Beverage Transportation

Illinois-Wisconsin food-grade transportation simplified: near-perfect on-time delivery, drop trailers, and FDA-registered warehousing in one trusted partnership

Strategically located in Fall River, WI, between Madison and Milwaukee, Badger Express provides expert dry van trucking for manufacturers and shippers in Wisconsin, Illinois, and beyond. With our modern fleet and 30+ years of midwestern trucking expertise, we're your trusted partner for local, regional, and long-haul freight.

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53-foot trailers
45,000 lb capacity
Asset-based and brokerage options
Full and partial loads
Less than 30 minutes from Madison
Under two hours from Milwaukee
Less than 200 miles north of Chicago
Serving the midwest since 1993
Local Wisconsin drivers
Local, regional, and long-haul FTL

We understand food and beverage logistics

With Badger Logistics, you have a reliable partner who understands food-grade transportation and delivers solutions designed for your business. Whether you need inner-plant transfers near Madison or deliveries to distribution centers in Chicago, we help you protect your products and stay on schedule.

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Food safety first

  • Dedicated food-grade fleet: Our 53' dry van trailers exclusively haul food products and food-grade materials, eliminating cross-contamination risks.
  • Strict compliance: Drivers trained in Food Safety Modernization Act requirements and proper seal procedures.
  • Contamination prevention: Rigorous cleanliness standards and inspection protocols ensure product integrity.

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Flexible solutions for food and beverage shippers

  • Drop trailer program: Pre-load trailers at your convenience with our extensive drop trailer network.
  • 97% on-time asset-based performance: Meet your delivery windows and avoid costly fines with our proven reliability.
  • Seasonal volume management: Scale up or down seamlessly with our combined asset-based and brokerage capabilities.
  • RFP or spot options: Choose between contracted rates through RFP or flexible spot pricing.

Fully integrated logistics

  • FDA-registered food-grade storage: 210,000+ square feet of FDA-registered warehousing for both finished goods and packaging materials.
  • Inner-plant transfers: Efficient movement between manufacturing facilities and distribution centers.
  • Consolidation options: Optimize your partial loads and manage dock space with our warehousing network.
  • Single point of contact: Work with dedicated account managers who understand your business and requirements.

Since Badger does drop trailers for us, we can load trailers at night or whenever we can. That keeps our inventory down. Basically anything we've ever asked, they've done. The warehousing component has been huge for us. All we have to do is send the paperwork to Badger, and we know it's going to get taken care of.

— Adam Miller, Shipping Team Lead, Charter NEX

Click to expand details Local and regional Illinois-Wisconsin routes and service areas

Primary Madison corridors
  • Madison to Milwaukee: Daily runs, 1.5-hour transit
  • Madison to Chicago: Regular service, same-day delivery available
  • Madison to Green Bay: Direct routes via US-151
  • Madison to Fox Valley: Efficient connections through our network
Wisconsin intra-state service

Our local fleet specializes in Wisconsin movements, with drivers returning home nightly to Madison, Milwaukee, and surrounding communities. Common routes include:

  • Madison manufacturing to Milwaukee distribution centers
  • Cross-dock operations between Madison and Chicago
  • Inter-plant moves for Wisconsin manufacturers
  • Just-in-time deliveries throughout Southern Wisconsin
Regional and long-haul OTR from Madison, Chicago, and Milwaukee

For Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago shippers needing to reach beyond their states:

  • East: Regular lanes to Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
  • South: Frequent service to Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
  • Southeast: Routes to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Madison-based dry van service options
Full Truckload (FTL)
  • Dedicated 53-foot trailers
  • Direct Madison pickup and delivery
  • Same-day service available for urgent shipments
  • Drop trailer options for flexible loading
Partial Shipments
  • Cost-effective for 4-5 pallets or 4,000-5,000 lbs
  • Consolidation opportunities through our Fall River facility
  • Regular Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago consolidation runs
Local Shuttle Service
  • Daily Madison area deliveries
  • Inter-plant transfers
  • Short-haul movements within 200 miles
Trusted brokerage service options
Full Truckload (FTL)
  • Dedicated 53-foot dry van trailers
  • Handles up to 45,000 lbs
  • Intermodal loads 
Partial Shipments
  • Cost-effective for 4-5 pallets or 4,000-5,000 lbs
  • Consolidation opportunities through our Fall River facility
Specialized Trailer Types
  • Reefer trucks for temperature-sensitive goods
  • Standard flatbed, RGN, step decks, conestogas, double drops, RGNs, and flatbed hotshots available
  • Seamless seasonal transitions from dry van to reefer van
Asset-Based trucking Specialized warehousing Freight brokerage Value-Added services

Asset-Based trucking

  • Fleet of clean, well-maintained 53' dry van trailers
  • Experienced drivers trained in food safety protocols
  • Drop trailer services for efficient loading
  • Flexible capacity for seasonal volume changes
  • RFP contracting available for predictable pricing
  • Industry-leading 97% on-time delivery
Learn more

Specialized warehousing

  • FDA-registered storage facilities
  • Strict segregation of food products
  • State food and public warehouse licensing
  • Pest control and cleanliness protocols
  • 27 dock doors for efficient access
  • Consolidation capabilities
Learn more

Freight brokerage

  • Access to vetted temperature-controlled carriers
  • Specialized equipment sourcing
  • Additional capacity when needed
  • Same high service standards as asset-based
  • Thorough carrier vetting process
  • Clear communication protocols
Learn more

Value-Added services

  • Consolidation services to optimize shipments
  • Distribution and order fulfillment capabilities
  • In-warehouse loading and unloading of flatbeds
  • Integration with your existing processes for seamless operations

Local, regional, and over-the-road service

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Why choose Badger for food and beverage transportation?

Mid-size service, major capabilities

We offer the dependable service and resources you expect from a large carrier, with the personal attention and flexibility you need from a dedicated partner. At Badger Logistics, you’re more than a number—you’re a valued customer we’re committed to supporting for the long term.

Deep industry expertise

We partner with top food manufacturers and understand the importance of product safety and meeting strict delivery deadlines in food-grade transportation.

Proven food experience

We manage logistics for inner-plant transfers, distribution center deliveries, private-label manufacturing, food-grade packaging, and raw materials.

Integrated logistics

With our integrated logistics solutions, you can simplify vendor management, improve communication, and expect consistent service.

What our customers say about us…

— Cristian Ewing, Innerpak of Wisconsin

I trust Badger with most of my regional loads because I know their team is going to deliver on time and keep the handling of my freight their top priority. I also appreciate that they try to be as efficient as possible and charge a reasonable price for their services. Their communication, transparency, and ability to accommodate puts them light years ahead of a lot of their competitors.

— Adam Miller, Shipping Team Lead, Charter NEX

Since Badger does drop trailers for us, we can load trailers at night or whenever we can. That keeps our inventory down. Basically anything we've ever asked, they've done. The warehousing component has been huge for us. All we have to do is send the paperwork to Badger, and we know it's going to get taken care of.

— Heather Okonek, Galloway Company

We ship a variety of food-grade products: creamers, milk, packaging. Sometimes we need tanker-endorsed drivers. Sometimes we need a reefer truck. We like working with Badger because we know we can get the right trailer and a qualified, trustworthy driver no matter what.

Success story

Solving multi-state shipping challenges for Charter NEX Films

Charter NEX Films, a manufacturer of high-performance packaging films, faced complex logistics challenges, including strict on-time delivery requirements and surging demand during COVID-19. By partnering with Badger Logistics, they gained access to food-grade trailers, integrated warehousing, and specialized consolidation services. The result: improved on-time deliveries, reduced product damage, thousands in annual cost savings from lower detention times, and streamlined operations with most warehouse turnaround times under 30 minutes.

Read the full success story

FAQs

What kind of food-grade freight do you haul?

We handle primarily manufacturer-packaged food and beverage products, raw materials, and food-grade packaging. We ensure clean, compliant, and secure transportation for both dry and temperature-sensitive items.

Do you provide temperature-controlled (reefer) trucking?
Yes, we provide temperature-controlled solutions for products that require refrigerated transit. Our team can source the right reefer equipment and trustworthy drivers to ensure compliance with cold chain standards.
Are your trailers food-grade certified?
Yes, our asset-based fleet uses 53' food-grade dry van trailers. They are regularly cleaned, maintained, and inspected to meet regulatory standards for hauling food and beverage goods.
How do you ensure product integrity during transit?
We ensure high-quality service through excellent on-time performance (97%) for our asset-based fleet, dedicated customer service, and strict vetting of partner carriers. We monitor shipments with real-time tracking and provide proactive updates.
Do you support consolidation or warehousing before shipment?
Yes, our FDA-registered warehouse in Fall River (30 minutes from Madison, WI) offers short and long-term storage, cross-docking, and consolidation services.
Do you offer dedicated routes to and from Wisconsin and Illinois?

Yes, we can establish dedicated lanes for consistent Madison shipping needs, particularly for the Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor and other regular Wisconsin destinations.

Can you handle seasonal volume increases?

Absolutely. Our combination of asset-based trucks and vetted brokerage partners allows us to scale capacity for Wisconsin and Illinois businesses during peak seasons, as well as switch to a different trailer type for temperature-sensitive shipments. 

What areas do you serve for food-grade trucking?

We operate throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and the upper midwest region as well as providing over-the-road service across the contiguous U.S. and parts of Canada.

Talk to us

Drop us a line for information about our transportation services or to get a competitive rate quote. We’ll be in touch within one business day.

Have a freight project? Get a rate quote Prefer to call? (920) 484-5920