Fresh Cut Magazine

Category Offers Promise for Processors, Retailers

With processors and retailers putting new offerings on store shelves, the fresh-cut fruit category is expected to reach $1 billion in the near future. And consumers are slowly coming to the category with hopes of getting over the hurdles of whole fruits. Consumers can be leery of whole fruits and vegetables because of price, spoilage and availability, said Bruce Axtman, president and CEO of Perishables Group. And fresh-cut fruit, when the category matures, can offer answers to all of those questions. “Salads and fresh-cut veggies give consumers consistent, reliable quality,” Axtman said. “Fruit has been more difficult because it has a higher degree of perishability. There’s more variability in quality as well.” Due to these factors, the fresh-cut fruit category has been slower to develop than that of vegetables. And it could take another five years or so before the category is mature. In the meantime, there’s…  » Read more

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Fresh-cut Packaging Takes on New Characteristics

In an era of redesigns, makeovers and change, fresh-cut packaging is not immune. The days of plastic bags and simple plastic deli containers are no more. Those browsing their local produce department – or industry trade show – will find a variety of options for fresh-cut produce: plastic clamshells to breathable bags, corn-based clamshells to fruit-scented containers. Take, for example, this product from Fabri-Kal. Its new plastic containers actually smell like the product in them. The technology, called ScentSational, brings the product to the consumers so they can smell as well as see it in the store. The strawberries smell like strawberries. The blueberries smell like blueberries. “As more ready-to-serve products are introduced in Fabri-Kal containers, there is a great opportunity for brand managers to positively enhance the consumer’s eating experience by increasing desirable aroma,” said Carrie Bertch, Fabri-Kal marketing manager. But it doesn’t stop there.…  » Read more

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Recipe for Success

It’s an exciting time for the fresh-cut industry. And it’s not just an excitement that analysts see as they look at the growth of the fresh-cut category, which is expected to reach $15 billion in sales this year alone. It’s not just something you hear from retailers and marketers trying to sell their products. It’s something that you can see – something that I saw. I attended my first-ever Fresh-Cut Expo in April and my first United/FMI show in May, and it was obvious by looking at everyone’s faces and listening to their stories that they are pumped about being members of the fresh-cut industry. Being a new face in the sea of industry veterans, I can get away with introducing myself to random people and asking what some may think are stupid questions. And that is just how I spent my time at these…  » Read more

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New Food Pyramid System Brings Mixed Response, Opportunities

When the USDA released its new food guidance pyramid system in April, produce industry groups were quick to comment. But the industry had no consensus when it came to a reaction. Some groups were pleased with the new system, while others voiced concerns. The range of acceptance of the new pyramid stems from the replacement of an educational graphic with a graphic that merely drives users to a Web site. Focusing on personalization, gradual improvement, physical activity, variety, proportionality and moderation, the new MyPyramid program also features interactive technology found on MyPyramid.gov, the new Web site with interactive activities to help consumers get a more personalized recommendation on their daily calorie level based on the 2005 “Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” The Web site also allows individuals to find general food guidance and suggestions for making smart choices from each food group. In all, the Web site offers…  » Read more

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Showcase: Packaging Supplies and Equipment

Avery Dennison Avery Dennison has announced availability of Air Release active labels as part of the company’s Active Packaging product suite. The combination vent and label permits the controlled release of unwanted air or steam from flexible packages. Pouches or other flexible packaging outfitted with the Avery Dennison Air Release active labels can be instantaneously purged of unwanted air by simply compressing the package. The new active label is applied over a small perforation made in the flexible film. One-way valve properties enable the retention of liquids during the air emission process. Air Release active labels can be sized and printed to meet most any package design. A high-temperature version of Air Release is being developed for applications such as frozen and fresh prepared entrees. Air Release active labels applied to lidding films covering these trays and pouches also perform as a valve, regulating one-way discharge of…  » Read more

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