Paper, Pulp and Film“We also have multiple ways to close the package while still making the fruit inside visible,” Cloud said. “The fiber box allows for a variety of options for closing the package while allowing for QA inspections, including paper or plastic banding, a linerless label with or without window, a partial adhesive label, field pack closures, flow wrap, interior tray seal, as well as open and handle top.”
At the 2024 Organic Produce Summit, West Mathison, president of Stemilt Growers explained the UPC vs. PLU advantage of having the product in a banded box and championed the need for cleaner data and the easier ability to scan boxes over bags.
“Produce has always been difficult to read because of that, but it’s kind of sad to see some organic fruits going into a plastic bag, right?” he said. “This is a pet peeve of mine—we got there, we worked so hard to handpick this fruit and keep the fruit from bruising and everything. And then we stick in a three-pound poly bag. What’s the appeal?”
He talked about how growers and retailers are both at fault for trying to beat the price down, but for approximately eight cents more, a higher level can be achieved.
“They learn more about the product. And it’s more exciting than just a display full of plastic bags,” Matthews said. “Some people out there have nice plastic bags. Some of you do a good job. But we need to think of how we upsell this a little bit and get people excited about the product. And I think that’s super important.”
This is something growing in demand by customers as fiber boxes allow more product branding than poly clams, and with UPC codes on the physical package, the fiber box is very easy for self-checkout and the scanners at the store.
“When you do a four pack of apples, for example, there’s very little spoilage for the retailer because it’s a fixed-weight pack that is sold at a price per pack or per pound, but there’s not people touching the fruit and being picked through,” Cloud said. Also during the Organic Produce Summit, Daniel Spivey, director of fruit at Sprouts Farmers Market, talked about the growing demand for organics and how the TrayCycle Box does more than just provide advertising for the customer, but helps to reduce shrink by as much as 35 percent, plus they are easier to scan at checkout then the PLUs of individual fruit. He offered an example of a retailer who thanks to the innovation was up 70 percent over bulk organic.
“So, a UPC-driven item has been able to take someone who’s really just average at organic and they now have really good integrity,” he said.
And best of all, there’s less shrinkage with a fixed count and weight packages than bulk sale, making it more efficient for the consumer and the retailer.
