The food industry is witnessing a surge in demand for high-quality, safe and convenient food packaging. Consumers today are looking for easy-to-access, healthy meals that they can eat quickly at home or on the go. Ready-to-eat foods have seen a consistent rise in popularity with no signs of slowing down, with the industry projected to reach nearly $200 billion this year. Similarly, meal kit delivery companies have seen exponential growth and expect to continue their steady rise. These trends necessitate inventive packaging solutions that ensure the delivery of fresh food to consumers. But that’s not all. Today’s consumers are increasingly interested in reducing their own environmental impact and expect the companies they purchase from to make tangible investments in sustainable packaging options themselves, making this area a critical consideration for food processors in 2024 and beyond.
As food processors look for packaging solutions that satisfy both industry standards and consumer preferences, they’ll need to consider more than just the look and feel of containers and trays. To be at the top of industry standards requires a five-step approach to packaging that accounts for business goals, sustainable practices and consumer satisfaction.