Most packaged food businesses start in a similar manner, with an entrepreneur producing at home or in a shared kitchen, hand packing products into relatively simple, often store-bought packaging, and selling at a farmer’s market or self-distributing to a handful of stores. However, as these businesses grow, their packaging needs to evolve. Whether the business will continue to self-produce or enlist a contract manufacturer or co-packer, the packaging must change to support distribution through a supply chain, allow retailers to effectively merchandise the product and differentiate itself from other products on the shelf. While every business is unique, there are many common packaging considerations that will help an entrepreneur as they seek to scale their business.
Packaging plays an integral role in protecting a food product, ensuring it gets to consumers with the intended taste, quality and texture. However, moisture, oxygen, light and temperature can all negatively impact a product’s quality. Package type, its properties and fabrication, as well as the product manufacturing process, can impact the ability of the package to provide a barrier against these variables.
This new guide from AURI is a resource designed to help entrepreneurs and food businesses navigate these considerations and make the best decisions for their individual situations. To learn more, download the full guide and view the accompanying video.
For the Food Product Shelf-Life Guide for Scaling Businesses, click here.