Expanding Cold Storage Capacity for a Growing Food Distributor

With demand rising across its distribution network, Alpine Food Distributing required a cold storage facility built to handle higher volume, faster turnaround, and an expanded range of frozen and refrigerated inventory. To support that next phase of growth, Alpine completed a major renovation of its 116,766-square-foot facility in Vernon, California, strengthening capacity in a key logistics corridor serving Southern California and the Southwest.

Classic Refrigeration partnered with Alpine and ARCO National Construction to engineer and install a high-performance refrigeration system built for modern food distribution. The project required not only reliable freezer capacity, but also operational flexibility, supporting multiple temperature environments under one roof while maintaining efficiency at scale.

Engineering a System Built for Distribution Demands

Food redistribution operations depend on consistency. Large-volume facilities require refrigeration infrastructure that can maintain strict temperature stability, recover quickly during frequent door openings, and support round-the-clock activity without performance drop-off.

Classic designed and installed a transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system tailored to Alpine’s workflow, ensuring dependable performance across freezer, cooler, production, and ambient zones. The facility renovation included approximately 40,000 square feet of freezer/cooler space, including nearly 10,000 square feet of convertible space capable of supporting temperatures ranging from -10°F to 40°F, allowing Alpine to adjust storage strategy as product needs shift.

A dedicated 2,455-square-foot production cooler was also incorporated to support produce processing, along with more than 50,000 square feet of ambient storage. With 15 dock positions and a 26’6” clear height, the facility was designed to support efficient logistics and high-volume movement of goods.

Supporting Efficiency, Lead Times, and Long-Term Growth

The Vernon renovation was designed to strengthen Alpine’s ability to meet rising customer demand while improving internal operational flow. With upgraded cold storage infrastructure and expanded processing capability, Alpine is positioned to support faster lead times, just-in-time product availability, and streamlined fulfillment.

Classic Refrigeration’s team coordinated equipment selection, system layout, installation, and commissioning to ensure performance expectations were met from startup forward. EMS start-up and system monitoring capabilities were integrated to support consistent control, improved diagnostics, and long-term reliability.

Key Priorities That Shaped the System Design

• Build a scalable refrigeration platform for high-volume food distribution
  
  
• Support freezer, cooler, production, and ambient zones with consistent performance
  
  
• Incorporate convertible temperature space to improve operational flexibility
  
  
• Deliver a transcritical CO₂ system aligned with modern sustainability standards
  
  
• Ensure reliability under heavy daily dock activity and continuous product movement
  
  

Products & Systems Installed

• EVAPCO LMP CO₂ Purity System Rack
  
  
• EVAPCO LMP evaporator coils
  
  
• Güntner coils
  
  
• Güntner gas coolers
  
  
• Pride floor heat panels
  
  

A CO₂ Cold Storage Platform Designed to Perform at Scale

With the renovation complete, Alpine Food Distributing now operates with a refrigeration system engineered for the realities of modern distribution: high turnover, demanding temperature requirements, and the need for flexible space that adapts as inventory shifts. The transcritical CO₂ platform delivers the performance and efficiency required to protect product integrity while supporting the fast-paced movement of goods through the facility.

Through precise engineering and large-scale cold storage execution, Classic Refrigeration delivered an upgraded facility built to support Alpine’s growth and strengthen service to foodservice and retail customers across Southern California.

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