July/August 2019 - 28

CUTTING EDGE
FRESH-CUT RESEARCH
Advantages of flexible packaging in produce
More than a fad,
By Todd
Meussling
Sr. Manager, Market
Development
Fresh-Lock
healthy eating and
living is on the rise.
In fact, nearly twothi
rds of people
s u r veye d i n a
2018 Harris Poll for
the National Grocers
Association said they
expect the grocery
shopping experience
to support a healthier
lifestyle. Fresh fruits
and vegetables meet
the needs of a wholesome diet and are
a staple section in the supermarket.
As current trends and consumer
demands continue to change, we've
seen the packaging for fresh produce
evolve as well.
In the past, fresh produce was
featured in loose displays and shoppers
hand-picked each item. However,
we've seen that pre-packaged produce
continues to be a rising trend. This opens
previously untapped opportunities in
flexible packaging that, when applied
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to fresh produce, creates shared
benefits for consumers, produce
processors and retailers.
Exceeding consumer expectations
If you walk down center aisles at the
grocery store, you'll see a wide array of
products utilizing flexible packaging,
such as pre-packaged foods, household
products and personal care items. This
means consumers already understand
the advantage of flexible packaging.
And, when properly applied,
the
consumer perks of this format benefit
the produce market as well.
For example, transparent pouches
allow consumers to view the product,
which helps them make a betterinformed
decision before purchase as
they can examine the produce. Added
features, such as pouch handles, provide
greater grab-and-go convenience and
ease of transportation. This format also
offers easier storage once at home as
it fits on the shelf, door or drawer in
the refrigerator. This, in tandem with
reclosability, means consumers can keep
fruits and vegetables in the original
packaging, which extends the life of the
branding and messaging on the pouch.
In addition to added convenience,
reclosable pouches also offer consumers
the benefits of extended freshness. The
Flexible Packaging Association's Value
of Flexible Packaging in Extending Shelf
Life and Reducing Food Waste Report
found that the proper use of flexible
packaging significantly extended the
life of fresh produce. For example, it
found that broccoli florets maintained
freshness for 20 days with the use of
flexible packaging, versus six days
without. Green beans went 19 days in
flexible packaging without spoiling,
compared to seven days without.
Flexible packaging's ability to
www.omex.com/usa
maintain freshness becomes even more
pivotal with the rise of online shopping
and e-commerce. At the final moment of
truth, when online customers open their
shipment, are they satisfied with their
purchase? Or are they disappointed
to find spoiled or crushed fruits and
vegetables? Processors and retailers
28 JULY/AUGUS T 2 019
need to find solutions that ensure their
fresh products arrive on consumers'
doorsteps in as good of quality as if it
was purchased at a brick-and-mortar
store. Reclosable pouches not only
provide light and oxygen barriers
that help maintain the integrity of
produce in transit, but this format is
also easier to pack and offers improved
shock absorbency, which helps prevent
damaged fruits and vegetables.
Processors and retailers reap
rewards
The adoption of flexible packaging
creates more than just consumer
benefits - it serves a valuable purpose
for both processors and retailers as
well. Reclosable packaging allows
the distribution chain to easily access
fruits and vegetables within the package
and remove and replace any spoiled or
damaged product without having to
dispose of the entire package. This helps
both reduce shrinkage and improve
profits. In addition, premium closures,
such as reduced-scale sliders, can also
enhance a brand's image as quality or
added-value for consumers and serve as
a unique selling point or differentiator.
Stand-up pouches
al so offer
efficiencies to retailers as they display
fruits and vegetables and optimize the
amount of space used. This allows
a greater variety of products to be
on display, and also better promotes
brands as
the pouch bil lboards
marketing messages.
In addition, as converters are able to
produce smaller batches of customized
flexible packaging, flexible pouches
enable smaller brands and processors to
utilize best-in-class packaging without
the financial burden of purchasing
mass quantities. And, because flexible
pouches are available in a myriad
of shapes and sizes, this format can
be customized to meet the needs of
different kinds of produce.
Sourcing sustainable solutions
Produce brands are not exempt from
the consumer pressure to offer more
sustainable products and packaging.
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July/August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2019
