The Food Industry: How Different Sectors Benefit From Flexible Packaging

These days, consumers rely on accessible and easy-to-use packaging to provide a product that can keep up with the demands of today’s fast-paced world. With flexible packaging, businesses that produce food and beverages can deliver products in attractive, ergonomic, and well-designed packaging. Flexible packaging has many benefits for both consumers and businesses in the foodservice industry and beyond.

What Is Flexible Packaging, Anyway?

Before we dive into the different sectors of the food industry that flexible packaging serves, first, we must understand what flexible packaging actually means. Flexible packaging is a type of food contact material meant to make storage and transportation easier for consumers. 

Just as the name suggests, flexible packaging is made from a pliable material that moves and flexes easily with each movement. Flexible packaging can include a variety of features like resealable enclosures and self-supporting bags. There are several unique styles of flexible packaging perfectly suited to a variety of industries, including:

• Shrinkwrap
• Barrier films
• Industrial film
• Pouches and bags

The Benefits of Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging provides a wide range of benefits for businesses across industries. Not only do re-sealable flexible packages keep products fresh, but they also contain any messes that the food product might make.

Envelope the aroma of coffees or teas in a tightly sealed container, or utilize flexible packaging to ensure clean and sanitary beauty products for customers. Stand-up pouches look great when lining a store’s shelves, while lay-flat packages are perfect for smaller items that take up less space.

Another great benefit of flexible packaging, especially for the foodservice industry, is its ability to enhance food safety. Avoid stale, spoiled food products with flexible packaging from a trusted packaging provider.

Markets Making Use of Flexible Packaging Today

Several unique industries utilize flexible packaging for their products because of the wide breadth of benefits this packaging design offers. Some of these markets and sectors include:

• Foodservice
• Sports and fitness
• Beauty
• Health
• Pet food
• Household products

Although many markets and industries are taking advantage of flexible packaging now, food and beverage suppliers are really reaping the benefits. We explore more flexible packaging for the foodservice industry below. 

7 Foodservice Sectors That Can Benefit from Flexible Packaging

These days, consumers want food and beverage products that are easy to open, handle, carry, and store. With the demand for unique and ergonomically designed packaging on the rise, many foodservice industry sectors are utilizing flexible packaging for their products.

1. Organic Foods

One major market that is utilizing flexible packaging to better its business is the organic food industry. The demand for organic food and alternative or restricted diet options is ever-growing. Organic suppliers need packaging that supports the storage and transport of dietary supplements and health-conscious foods.

Everyone knows that organic foods are always more expensive, so consumers want products that will last their entire shelf life. Flexible packaging with resealable zipper enclosures makes storing the package’s contents in an airtight container easy. Keep your organic food brand’s products fresh with flexible packaging.

2. Non-organic Food Items

Flexible packaging can be a valuable asset for any business type, whether you sell wholesale cake mixes or small-batch sweets and treats. Several packaging styles are perfect for use with different food items, including flexible packaging with hang holes for displaying on a rack or stand-up and lay-flat pouches for food products. Use flexible food packaging for:

• Flours
• Sugars
• Spices
• Dry mixes
• Pasta
• Non-dairy cheeses and creamers

Flexible packaging helps seal freshness inside the pouch while still looking stylish and on-brand for your business. Many flexible packaging manufacturers provide personal branding and logo design services for businesses of all different sizes.

3. Cereal and Granola

Another great market that can make use of flexible packaging is cereal and granola manufacturers. Seal in the sweet, crunchy freshness of a simple cereal or granola recipe using flexible packaging. Resealable pouches help consumers avoid any staleness from coming on too quickly after opening.

4. Candy and Snacks

Manufacturers of sweet treats, confections, and candy can utilize flexible packaging as well. The durable yet malleable material that flexible packaging consists of makes it ideal for sweets that leave behind a sticky mess. Consumers can re-seal the flexible pouch, pop it in their bag or backpack, and not have to worry about a big mess in the bottom of their bag.

5. Baby Food

Baby food is another foodservice industry sector that benefits from flexible food packaging. Items like applesauce, creamed vegetables, and mashed fruits fit perfectly into flexible pouches for a child’s consumption. The ergonomic packaging makes it easy for even the clumsiest of children to handle the product.

Don’t forget to broadcast your baby food brand with custom food packaging designs featuring your logo, brand colors, a slogan, or business information.

6. Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea manufacturing companies need well-designed containers to keep the beverage contents inside fresh for customers. You can find a flexible packaging company offering stand-up coffee pouches and tea bags that suit your brand. Stock your shelves full with flexible packaging for beverages of all kinds, including:

• Tea
• Coffee
• Chai mixes
• Lemonade or iced tea mix
• Match
• And more

One of the most popular features of flexible packaging for coffee and tea or other beverage items is the resealable zipper pouch. No one wants to start their day with a stale, bitter cup of coffee or flavor-less tea. Turn to flexible packaging to ensure your customer always receives a high-quality product that lasts.

7. Pet Food

The last sector on our list isn’t one that caters to humans but cats, dogs, and other pets instead. Package up treats, kibble, and more for your loyal pet-loving customers using flexible packaging from trusted manufacturers. Companies like The Packaging Lab can provide packaging fast, so you can get out fresh batches of pet food that stay fresh inside flexible packaging.

Conclusion

All in all, there is an abundance of sectors within the foodservice industry that can benefit from using flexible packaging. Whether you make small-batch sweets or run a large-scale pet food manufacturing production, flexible packaging has your products covered and keeps customers happy. With flexible packaging, food and beverage items stay fresher for longer, and consumers can carry the products around without any concerns about spillage, stickiness, crumbs, or other messes.

Another excellent characteristic of flexible packaging is the open-ended design options. Use sleek and spill-resistant packaging to market your brand with bright, beautiful colors, logos, and designs. Stand out in your market with attractive and practical flexible packaging from an experienced company like The Packaging Lab — Contact us today.