General / April 30, 2018
Bagged veggies are nothing new in the grocery freezer case, but consumers may have noticed some evolutionary, if not revolutionary changes in how these—and numerous other chilled products—are packaged. Improvements and advancements in flexible packaging support the growing number of products available in the refrigerated and frozen aisles, and how shoppers use them.
Dietary trends have consumers returning to well-balanced diets, and particularly the produce aisle. But fresh fruits and vegetables pose some challenges too:
Frozen varieties address these challenges, and offer consumers a healthy, ripe, and desirable option year-round, and with the ability to use just the desired quantity and a way to store leftovers without concern of spoilage. Flexible packaging protects flash-frozen food, reducing risk of excessive ice or other freezer issues when properly transported and stored, and zipped pouches can be easily resealed to preserve quality and reduce waste. Plus, with steam-in-bag features, freezer-to-table got a lot easier.
The frozen and refrigerated meal landscape has been a sea of meals-for-one in plastic trays and cardboard boxes. But flexible packaging is an excellent alternative for a number of single-serve (or even meal-for-two) offerings. Consumers are increasingly looking for new flavors, exotic tastes, and the opportunity to look like a hero in the kitchen—while not spending the whole evening laboring at the cooktop. Bagged frozen or chilled “meal starters” elevate a meal’s taste and appeal while keeping prep times to a minimum.
Refrigeration and freezing also make it possible for the single home chef to enjoy—in moderation—meals that would be otherwise consume a lot of time and money and produce a host of leftovers. Pre-portioned packages, or bags with several individual servings, make quick work of what might otherwise take all day.
The single-serve frozen market has also recognized that many health-conscious buyers are powering their mornings with breakfast smoothies built on the foundation of ripe and tasty frozen fruit. To get these buyers on their way to start the day more quickly, ready-to-blend smoothies—fruit included—have redefined the concept of a “frozen meal.”
Since freezing is a longstanding method of food preservation, it isn’t only a handy option for single-serve eating. Bulk ingredients and even family dinners (or meal prep kits) are an obvious choice for frozen or refrigerated storage. Here’s where flexible packaging really shines: large quantities mean storage space is at a premium, and flexible saves a lot of room in the fridge or freezer. Zip closures and even pouring options make handling and larger packages easier.
The graphics and printing options on flexible packaging are vast, so the uniqueness of a packaging format that already stands out from the crowd can be accentuated with well-chosen artwork the draws attention to consumer benefits—both of the food product and the packaging selection.
Our flexible packaging options span numerous product types and industries. These are some of the most popular for food items in the freezer and refrigerator cases:
Ready to get started with your frozen food packaging solution? Give us a call or contact us!