Food companies – particularly those in the baked goods market – are facing tough times.
The soaring cost of eggs – an essential ingredient for a large number of packaged products – is creating a dilemma for many business owners in the U.S. The bird flu epidemic has wiped out 50 million chickens, which means fewer eggs are being produced, raising costs for consumers at a rapid pace. It has also become more difficult for food manufacturers to purchase large cases of eggs, forcing many to waste time and gas money traveling to the local store last minute to get their products. Companies using eggs in their packaged goods must either continue to take the hit of these raised prices or pass the high costs onto their valued customers. Fortunately, brands today have a wider range of money-saving options than in the past, and it starts with rethinking their product’s ingredients, as well as the way it is packaged and presented on shelves.
Raising prices to cover the higher cost of eggs can result in customer complaints and dissatisfaction with a brand – after all, shoppers are already dealing with the high costs of eggs themselves, and they may choose to cut back on the amount of money allotted for groceries as a result.
An easy way for companies to save money is switching to more sustainable, inexpensive packaging that doesn’t produce excess waste or spilled or spoiled product.
Think about all the food that’s packaged in flimsy plastic bags that are contained inside bulky cardboard boxes. Companies choose this classic method of packaging goods because, in theory, the bag inside keeps the product fresh, while the cardboard box promotes their brand and provides surface area for all necessary information about the goods.
However, this packaging method is becoming outdated, as businesses and consumers alike realize that the little tab at the top of the cardboard box isn’t really doing much to reseal the packaging and keep the product fresh. Stand up pouches, on the other hand, are being phased into the baked snacks industry because they are lighter and much stronger than traditional plastic bags, and their technologically advanced laminated layers keep foods safe from outside contaminants, resulting in less wasted product and a longer shelf life for said goods. Flat bottom bags are another popular flexible option rising in popularity because of its protective properties, easy-to-open tear notches and resealable zip locks that keep air out.
These packaging styles save both customers and food manufactures a bundle, as less money will be budgeted for the packaging process (less packaging materials means less time it takes to get your product in the pouch), and customers won’t have to keep returning to the supermarket to restock their stale or spoiled food.
Companies dealing with the damaging effects of soaring egg prices can also rethink their product’s recipes and can consider going eggless altogether. One of our successful clients, Neat Foods, has developed a revolutionary new egg substitute we’ll be seeing in retail stores all across the country very soon. Another client, The Good Scone, produces flour and cake mixes that do not require the inclusion of eggs in the finished product. Both brands have embraced stand up pouches for their inventive new food offerings because they proudly boast their bold designs and branding while keeping the product inside tasting as fresh as the day it was made.
Whether your company opts for stand up pouches, flat bottom bags, or flexible box bags to package your product and reduce excess, costly waste, partnering with a supplier that will provide a packaging solution to fit the specific needs of your product cannot be overlooked. Switching to new flexible forms of packaging is a great way to introduce a refreshed recipe or new (possibly eggless) product. Flexible box bags and stand up pouches look great on shelves and can be stored in a wide range of temperatures depending on your food’s particular requirements. It’s difficult to determine whether or not the bird flu epidemic will return and how high egg prices will get, but finding small (but important) ways to reduce costs can help ease the pain or soaring prices and keep your customer happy.
(Image Source: Neat Foods)
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