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Kurt Zuhlke & Associates is leading the charge in sustainable produce packaging

By
Keith Loria

As a cornerstone of the produce packaging industry, Kurt Zuhlke & Associates Inc., based in Easton, PA, has emerged as a leading innovator of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) packaging, especially in the years following when consumer and retailer needs dramatically shifted due to the pandemic.

berriesThe company witnessed an unprecedented surge in demand for its packaging products, particularly clamshell containers made from recycled materials, which ensured produce items remained hygienically sealed while allowing visibility for consumers.

Kurt Zuhlke, the company’s president, has embraced this evolution in successful packaging strategies.

“Our clamshell designs provide exceptional protection for produce while allowing consumers to clearly see what they’re purchasing,” he said.

This feature proved essential during the early days of COVID-19 and has continued to resonate with shoppers in the years that followed. The trend revealed a significant shift: consumers increasingly favored packaged produce over loose items to minimize handling.

“The consumer has spoken,” Zuhlke said. “If they can see the product clearly and the price is right, they are more inclined to buy it. No one wants to engage with a product shrouded under a barrier film with print over it; that creates apprehension.”

His keen understanding of consumer behavior underscores why various sizes of packaging for different commodities — be it strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes or avocados — have thrived in the market.

Kurt Zuhlke & Associates has long championed environmentally friendly practices, advocating for the importance of maintaining a robust recycling circle.

"Our motto is to recycle and reuse, which embodies our commitment to reducing landfill waste,” Zuhlke said.

The industry has seen a growing awareness among consumers seeking sustainable packaging options, a movement that Zuhlke emphasized has been at the core of his company’s mission for decades.

“Many growers and suppliers tailor their packaging to meet specific customer needs,” Zuhlke said. “Retailers, too, have adopted repacking at the store level to customize their offerings for consumers. Every level of the industry is crucial to us.”

This adaptability speaks to the fluidity and foresight that have defined the company’s approach.

Yet, the secret of Kurt Zuhlke & Associates’ enduring success lies beyond innovative products and sustainable practices; it’s rooted in exceptional customer service.

“You have to meet demand times and deliver products at reasonable prices,” Zuhlke said. “If you’re not servicing your customers right, they’ll go elsewhere. I have customers who have stayed with me for over 40 years; that speaks volumes.”

As a trusted supplier of packaging throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, the company is keenly aware of growing environmental challenges, particularly concerning single-use bags.

“The trend in Europe toward stricter regulations on bags reflects the need to reduce plastic waste,” Zuhlke said, advocating for rigid containers, emphasizing their environmentally friendly potential compared to traditional plastic bags.

This year has been particularly fruitful for Kurt Zuhlke & Associates, with a notable upturn in sales and the benefit of decreasing expenses. A positive outcome for a company that has prioritized consumer visibility, environmental sustainability and customer service as foundational principles.

In a landscape rapidly evolving, Kurt Zuhlke & Associates continues to be a driving force of innovation and reliability in the produce packaging industry.

“I can’t complain,” Zuhlke said.

Keith Loria

Keith Loria

About Keith Loria  |  email

A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is a D.C.-based award-winning journalist who has been writing for major publications for close to 20 years on topics as diverse as real estate, food and sports. He started his career with the Associated Press and has held high editorial positions at magazines aimed at healthcare, sports and technology. When not busy writing, he can be found enjoying time with his wife, Patricia, and two daughters, Jordan and Cassidy.

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