In North American retail stores, blueberries are mainly available in clamshell packaging. However, change is coming as retailers are increasingly interested in offering blueberries in home compostable, recyclable packaging. What is driving that change? “The North American consumer is much more aware now and strongly feels the need to reduce single use plastic,” says Shannon Boase with CKF, Inc., the global manufacturer behind the Earthcycle™ brand of fresh produce packaging. While consumers ask for a change in packaging, it wouldn’t be as easy a change if it were not for many generational and industry factors. “The consumer’s trust in a retailer’s buying capabilities, and specific brands is because blueberry varietals are so good now. The consumer has grown to expect a consistently superior berry, so there is less of a need to view and check an entire package”.
Trials in Canada and the US
While Europe has been witnessing this change in packaging for about five years, North America is now starting to pay attention to home compostable, recyclable packaging. “We’ve been active in the European blueberry market since 2018 and our packaging is available at several retail chains including Rewe and COOP. Now, we’re increasingly replicating the success we’ve had in the European berry industry,” Boase commented. This started with a successful trial in retail in Canada in spring of this year. “The success of the trial is leading to a wider scale roll-out in Canada, which started in July.”
In July, Townsend Farms began using the Earthcycle 18oz top seal punnet for the first large scale trial with an American big box chain while also supplying Costco Canada in stores in Ontario. “We have been eying a move to non-plastic packaging because it fits with our brand and what we believe is the future for agriculture” says Chad Totten, Director of Fresh for Townsend Farms. “When we learned about Earthcycle and that our key retail customer wanted a trial, we jumped at the opportunity to be first in the market with this design”. The trial was a success in all measurable metrics including sales and supply chain performance, according to the retailer. “We are excited to build on our successes next season with the 18oz and other smaller pack formats for our retail customers” Totten adds. The success of the trial has led to a wider roll out in the import season for the big box retailer.
In addition to trials with Canadian and US retailers, CKF is working with many growers to develop best practices for packing at source.
For more information:
Shannon Boase
Senior Director, New Market Development
CKF, Inc.
Tel: (+1) 604-377-8965
[email protected]
www.ckfinc.com
