Innovative new packs are designed to improve store handling and shrinkage
Pompano Beach, Florida-based Frunature has launched an innovative packaging format for fresh organic ginger that it says benefits both retailers and consumers. The fresh organic ginger Pillow Pack protects the product from damage and also addresses food safety and sanitation concerns of consumers.
“Since the pandemic we have seen a huge change in consumption and interest in the benefits of fresh organic ginger,” said Peter Warren, the company’s US sales representative. “Yet, most ginger is displayed loosely meaning significant consumer handling which leads to damage, breakage and higher shrink.”
The new packs also address consumer hygiene concerns in a post-Covid world. “Consumers are more aware of the sanitation and quality aspects of other shoppers touching product. We’re seeing a trend toward more packaged items in produce since consumers feel it is safer and want a no-touch product. It’s also more convenient as well,” Warren continued.
Aldo Ramirez, owner and managing director of Frunature, said the packs were developed to serve the needs of the product, the consumer and the retailer. “We wanted something that would look good, be planet friendly, be consumer friendly, and retailer useful, but most importantly be really good for the ginger,” said Ramirez, who also owns Frunature’s sister company, Peruvian grower-exporter Nativa Organics.
Ramirez started Frunature in 2019 to make it easier for US clients to do business with Nativa. He brought on Peter Warren to help move the company forward in marketing and sales.
“Peter’s passion for the industry and his knowledge of packaging and distribution make him the perfect candidate to represent Nativa Organics in the US,” Ramirez said. “We are very pleased to have him working with our team.”
Frunature said the Pillow Pack had received an “outstanding” response when it was presented at the recent Organic Produce Summit in Monterrey. “It was the most innovative new product at the show,” said Ramirez.
“It is a sustainable packaging option, made from a paper/plastic combination. It’s the most eco friendly composition we could find. The package is designed for ideal quality control as well with micro perforations to help avoid too much condensation, allowing the product to stay fresh in the refrigerator or out.”
Warren noted that the packaging also presents a unique merchandising opportunity. “There is plenty of marketing space on the package that can be used to call attention to attributes, nutrition, recipes or other crucial merchandising information,” he said.
“It should also be more attractive for retailers to position in their produce departments, especially in light of other earthy-style attractive packaging in produce and particularly organics.”
The new packaging is currently in use on fresh organic ginger from Peru, packed at origin in various sizes depending on customer request.
“We will also be offering turmeric from Peru in the next few months in this same type packaging and we are looking at a garlic format as well,” said Warren. “For foodservice, we have a presentation called Air Pack which is a recyclable RPC-like plastic box with impeccable ventilation. An added benefit to Air Pack is the end user can repurpose the case for other things. We envision chefs will love to utilize these white crates for storage.”
