FK Newsletter 03-04/2012

OPEN HERE
The newsletter dedicated to
better packaging solutions.
March/April 2013
Introduction Since 1950, Fabri-Kal has been an innovator in product packaging
development. Today, we’re proud to continue our established leadership in technologically and
environmentally advanced packaging solutions. Open Here is our way of keeping you connected
to the latest news - and clearest facts - in the dynamic world of packaging.
Operator Spotlight
Wholesale Retailer Brings “Green” Value to Club Foodservice Operations
National wholesale retailer Costco looked to Fabri-Kal to provide cost-effective, flexible
packaging that would bring “green” value to its business and to customers dining in its food courts.
Susan Atkinson, Costco buyer, shared her experiences working with the Fabri-Kal team and how the variety of
Fabri-Kal stock products and made-from-plants Greenware® line have benefited Costco operations.
The Right Package
Atkinson is in charge of research, analysis and ROI of purchasing decisions in foodservice. For one of the largest retail
foodservice operations in the U.S., she needed an earth-friendly cup, suitable for high-volume operations, that allowed
members to feel good about using a “green” product as part of an enjoyable dining experience.
Costco feedback has been positive, with employees saying things like, “The quality is just as good as, if not better than,
the competition, and at a better value.”
The Right Partner
When it came to choosing the company’s new supplier, Atkinson wanted a partner who would keep Costco’s interests
top-of-mind. Fabri-Kal came to the table as a knowledgeable collaborator, answering Costco’s needs with quality and value
in a high-volume “green” solution.
Atkinson explained how having the right partner has impacted her business by saying, “At first we were just looking for
cold cups and found prices were high with other companies. Fabri-Kal worked to create a plan that fit our price needs and
excelled in functionality. Since then, we’ve added Greenware® drink cups and portion cups.”
The Right Expertise
Fabri-Kal’s packaging expertise and superior customer service contributed to a better customer experience at Costco. And
that’s making Fabri-Kal a valued partner.
“Fabri-Kal is one of our favorite manufacturers to work with. They regularly provide market trends to us, keeping our team
up-to-date. We appreciate them as a supplier, and it means a lot that they’re always right there,” said Atkinson.
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Fresh from Fabri-Kal
Trends InSight
NEW On-The-Go Boxes from Greenware®
Yogurt Tops List of
Fastest-Growing
Breakfast Menu Items
Yogurt continues to
be one of the fastestgrowing breakfast
items at restaurants,
as its health properties
appeal to consumers.
In addition to offering
the health benefits of yogurt,
operators are also fulfilling the consumer’s
need for slightly exotic tastes and food that
travels well, according to menu research firm
Datassential.
Greenware On-The-Go Boxes are the newest member
®
of the Greenware® family, and are made from Ingeo™
biopolymer, a PLA resin derived entirely from plants, not
petroleum. They come in three styles with one flat lid that
fits all. Available for purchase in 2-, 3- and 4-compartment
designs, they are also shrink-band compatible for tamperevident applications.
The portable containers provide foodservice operators
with an innovative solution to attractively present food for
grab-and-go consumption and increased consumer appeal.
Display and sell combos like these – and many more – in
new Greenware® On-The-Go Boxes:
Breakfast
Mini Bagels/Cream Cheese
Fresh Fruit/Fruit Dip
Lunch
Leafy Greens/Salad Dressing
“Analyzing the more than 7,000 menus
in its MenuTrends platform, Datassential
reported that yogurt is now on 36 percent
more breakfast menus than it was in 2008,”
according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
Chicken Salad/Crackers/Grapes
Udon Noodles/Pickled Vegetables
Grape Leaves/Hummus/Roasted Red Peppers
Grilled Chicken/Vegetables/Pitas
Sandwich/Coleslaw
Quesadillas/Salsa
Snacks
Veggie Sticks/Dip
Hummus/Crackers/Olives
Cheese/Crackers/Pretzels/Mustard
Tortilla Chips/Salsa
Shrimp/Cocktail Sauce
To ensure that restaurant operators can
deliver tasty yogurt treats to consumers
in a way that’s attractive and flexible,
Fabri-Kal offers Cup Insert Solutions and
Combo Packs. They’re available in 2
oz. and 4 oz. solutions in both PET and
Greenware®. They pair with Fabri-Kal’s KalClear®, Nexclear® and Greenware® cups
and matching flat and dome lids. Another
offering is Greenware® On-The-Go Boxes
that allow for unique food pairings such as
yogurt, nuts, fresh fruit and granola to be
served in a one-for-all, portable container.
Sweet Treats
Donut Holes/Dipping Sauce
Brownies/Cookie Sticks/Frosting
Candy/Nuts/Pretzels
The containers are crystal-clear, durable and stackable to
maximize cold case and shelf space. It’s a solution that is
Quick Serve restaurants regularly offer
yogurt, especially parfaits, on their
breakfast menus. Einstein Bros., Chickfil-A and McDonald’s all sell their own
yogurt combinations to satisfy the growing
demand for creative yogurt offerings.
good for your business and good for the environment.
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Sustainability
Consumers Willing to Pay More for Fresh, Sustainable Packaging
Consumers who purchase food and beverage packaging, like a pre-packaged
sandwich or a bottle of soda, are likely to pay more for that product if it has “valueadded” features, according to a global study conducted by Ispos InnoQuest this past
February. Study participants were given a list of potential packaging features and
asked which ones they’d be willing to pay more for.
“Value-added” features include packaging that keeps food fresh longer (55 percent) and that is environmentallyfriendly (55 percent). Other features that consumers value and are willing to pay more for include packaging that’s
reusable (42 percent) and is easier to use (30 percent). Surprisingly, Ispos found that consumers aren’t as keen
on advanced packaging that prevents spills and keeps contents at the desired temperature.
Food and beverage manufacturers and marketers should look at packaging as a key innovation and performance
indicator, whether they’re looking to package a new product, planning to introduce something new to the
marketplace or attempting to re-introduce a product. Sustainable packaging is on consumers’ minds around the
world and continues to become a factor in consumer shopping decisions.
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Facebook
For all the latest happenings, “like”
Greenware®, a Fabri-Kal line of
packaging made entirely from
plants, on Facebook.
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