Page 27 - January_2019

RISE OF THE
CLAMSHELLS
Containers provide the ultimate in sightlines, protection and food safety for produce.
Think about what shoppers in the produce section want. Of course, they’re looking for delicious and healthy fruits and vegetables, goods that look perfect and that
they are con dent are safe to eat.
at’s what makes clamshell packaging so
popular.
Clamshell packages make fruits and
vegetables, especially smaller varieties, easy to display, which in turn makes it easy for consumers to inspect those foods. If you’re buying, for example, grape tomatoes, a bag makes it di cult to inspect everything in the package. And selling smaller foods indi- vidually makes little sense, as it’s not conve-
BY ANTHONY STOECKERT
nient and is sure to result in lots of spillage and waste.
“Consumers will pay a premium for safety and convenience, both of which a clamshell container o ers,” says Sarah Korwek, product manager for Inline Plastics, headquartered in Shelton, CT. “Enhanced leak-resistance, the ability to re-seal the contents, tamper-resistance and environmentally responsible packaging that can be easily recycled are all components of Inline’s clamshells that have been shown to attract consumers and increase sales.”
It’s easy to see why clamshells have so much appeal. First, they allow shoppers to clearly see the fruits and vegetables inside
the packaging — consumers can see exactly how much produce they’re buying, and the quality of the food itself. For example, if you’re buying strawberries or blueberries, you can hold up the package and inspect the fruit inside, even the berries on the bottom.
And because they’re durable, clamshells send a signal that the fruit inside has been well-protected through the shipping and delivery processes.
WHAT MAKES A CLAMSHELL A CLAMSHELL?
Roman Forowycz, vice president of busi- ness development for Sonoco Global Flex- ibles, based in Hartsville, SC, says industry
PHOTO COURTESY INLINE PLASTICS
PRODUCE BUSINESS / JANUARY 2019 / 27