Why custom sustainable packaging is perfect for fresh produce
The way that fresh produce is packaged plays a huge part in maintaining its quality and freshness, ensuring it reaches customers in the right condition.
Sustainable packaging can be completely bespoke to your fresh produce, from fruits to fungi and much more, designed to help keep your produce fresh from farm to table.
- How to package fresh produce
- How to pick the best packaging for your fresh produce
- Should my business use custom packaging for fresh produce?
- What are the benefits of using custom packaging for fresh produce?
- Custom packaging and automation packs a punch for fresh produce
How to package fresh produce
Knowing how to package fresh produce is key, as the right packaging helps maintain the quality of the produce, extend its shelf life and ensure food safety.
It’s not simply a case of packaging produce in a standard cardboard box and hoping for the best, as this is unlikely to impress customers or withstand the trials of transit. Fresh produce must be packaged in breathable materials to allow air circulation and avoid moisture buildup. Without it, there’s a high risk of the product developing mould and losing its freshness.
It’s also important for fresh goods packaging to protect the contents to avoid damage and bruising during transit. Plus, by adding a water-resistant coating, like McCormack Family Farms water-resistant cardboard produce trays, you can take protecting your produce against the elements and external factors to the next level.
How to pick the best packaging for your fresh produce
There are many packaging options for fresh produce, and the ideal solution depends on the type of produce being packaged. For example, cardboard fresh produce boxes are ideal for vegetables, as they provide protection and have impressive stacking strength, meaning they can withstand the demands of the supply chain and transportation.
Cardboard produce trays are another option, and these can be printed with high-impact and eye-catching colours and graphics to attract customers’ attention.
Should my business use custom packaging for fresh produce?
Custom packaging for fresh produce offers many benefits, from boosting brand identity to providing product protection and improving the consumer experience with a high-quality unboxing experience that banishes disappointment from bruised produce.
Also, custom packaging uses sustainable materials, appealing to eco-conscious consumers, 49% of which said they would pay more for (Deloitte). Investing in custom packaging can help fresh produce stand out in a competitive market and align your business with your customers’ environmental ethos.
What are the benefits of using custom packaging for fresh produce?
- Product protection - Custom packaging for fresh produce can be tailored to meet the specific size, shape and needs of produce. This ensures that produce is protected during handling and shipping, reducing the chance of damage and helping to ensure customers receive your fresh produce in the condition they were packed.
- Satisfyingly sustainable - Various custom packaging solutions are also kind to the planet. This appeals to the demands of eco-conscious consumers and - with 94% of consumers saying businesses are responsible for creating products that are not harmful to the earth (Deloitte) - sustainable packaging for fresh produce not only reduces the environmental impact but also boosts brand reputation.
- War on waste - It’s possible to reduce waste by opting for a bespoke fresh produce packaging design. Bespoke packaging can be designed to use the exact amount of material needed, reducing excess packaging and waste. By reducing the chances of produce arriving damaged custom packaging also reduces food waste.
- Recycle right - Custom packaging for fresh produce is designed with recyclability in mind, meaning that it can be reused and repurposed. This reduces the environmental impact of the packaging while minimising waste. By recycling produce packaging properly, consumers can contribute to a business’s green goals.
Custom packaging and automation packs a punch for fresh produce
When you choose sustainable packaging for fresh produce, you give your produce the best chance of staying fresh, visually appealing, and protected at all times.
To further enhance the packaging process, our dedicated Machine Systems department offers automated packaging machinery that streamlines operations, ensuring efficiency, precision, and reduced waste. Whether packaging small or large quantities, automation helps maintain consistency and quality throughout.
Contact us at Smurfit Westrock to explore custom produce packaging and machinery solutions for fresh produce that support both the planet and operational efficiency.