(July 5) With consumers demanding more ready-to-eat products,
convenience packaging is becoming increasingly important in the produce
sector.
As part of the trend of packaging more fresh-cut and
ready-to-eat items, several companies this year launched microwaveable
packages of fresh-cut produce. The Sholl Group II, Eden Prairie, Minn., introduced Green Giant-brand Freshtables SteamPerfect
Pouches in May. The line consists of nine varieties of packaged
fresh-cut fruits and vegetables with sauces, including apples and
raisins with cinnamon sauce, broccoli and carrots with cheese sauce,
and green beans with garlic butter.
Consumers microwave the
pouches for about two minutes to steam the produce. In addition to
being a quick and convenient method of cooking, steaming helps retain
the produce's nutrients, Darci Eckermann, the Sholl Group's
vice president of marketing and business development, said in a news
release. The pouches weigh 12 ounces, and the suggested retail price is
$3.99.
Southern Specialties Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla., is
shipping new 8-ounce microwaveable bags and overwrapped trays of
Southern Selects-brand snow peas, sugar snap peas and french beans,
said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development. The
suggested retail price is about $2.99.
The company was
preparing on July 3 to ship its new 12-ounce microwaveable bags of
asparagus, Eagle said. It also offers a 2-pound microwaveable bag of
asparagus for foodservice and club store customers. French beans also
are available in 1- and 2-pound microwaveable bags, Eagle said.
Another line of microwaveable fresh-cut vegetables is Aunt Mid's Simple
Starts, from Aunt Mid's Produce Co., Detroit. The 12 new packs include
asparagus spears, baby french beans and a fajita vegetable mix. The
packs weigh 8-16 ounces, depending on the variety of vegetable.
Rob Haley, Eastern region sales manager for Mann Packing Co. Inc.,
Salinas, Calif., said the company plans to introduce its Ready, Set,
Steam line of microwaveable vegetables with sauce this summer or fall.
The vegetables will be packaged in recyclable microwaveable trays with
film lids that require no venting, he said.
E-mail Susie Cable
The Packer Produce Merchandising The Guide Fresh Trends RBCS
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Highlights: Sholl Group II, Freshtables SteamPerfect, Sholl Group