Mobile portion control

Flexible packaging delivers on-the-go convenience and singleserving calorie counts.

n-the-go snacking continues to nibble away at the sit-down meal. As more consumers snack more often, brand owners provide products in portable, single-serving packs to appeal to these grab-and-go consumers and the retail outlets they frequent.

Denver-based 34 Degrees, a maker of savory crackers, has added a single-serving, 0.22-oz. size to its line of 34° Natural Crisps in windowed folding cartons, which hold 4.2 oz. Available nationwide, each snack pack contains approximately five natural crisps wrapped in a moisture- resistant lamination of reverse-printed 70g oriented polypropylene (OPP)/adhesive/70g OPP. Flexo-printed, heatsealed packs ship in 144- count cases and are suitable for airline meal boxes, café meals, soup and salad bars and delis.

“We recognized that fans of 34° Crisps craved the option to pair our crackers with cheeses, spreads, meats, vegetables and fruit outside of their homes, and we believe the new snack packs will vastly expand the availability and versatility of our crackers,” explains Craig Lieberman, founder and president of 34 Degrees.

Smaller packs also help calorie-conscious consumers practice portion control. Do More Bars from TNW Ventures, Pisgah Forest, NC, now offers a half-size version of its gluten-free gourmet fruit and nut cereal bars. Packaging for the 18g half-bars consists of premade bags from Prism Pak, Inc., Berwick, PA. The clear, 1.6-mil OPP, 11-in. long bags are hand-loaded with three half-bars and sealed with a four-in. manual impulse sealer from Technopack Corp., Doral, FL. Sealing in between each bar and at the open end of the bag creates three separate packs from each bag. Handapplied pressure-sensitive labels, front and back, present brand and product information.

America Licorice Co., Union City, CA, has added a three-oz. laminated polyethylene terephthalate pouch of bite-size twists to its lineup of Natural Vines gourmet soft licorice. Intended for on-the-go consumption or to share, the pouch contains two recommended servings and carries graphics similar to Natural Vines resealable eight-oz. bag, but is packaged on a different line.

Available in black and strawberry flavors and low in fat and sodium, Natural Vines licorice consists of natural ingredients, including cane sugar, and contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, cholesterol or trans fat. “This new smaller … bag is perfect to grab and go when you want a treat you can feel good about,” says Natural Vines Brand Manager Mercedes Davidson. “While our large eight-oz. is a great seller, we expect the new size to be a hit for those licorice-craving moments.”

In addition to mobility and portion control, adding singleserving stock keeping units can provide an entrée into new markets. Single-serving 1.75-oz. stick packs allow on-the-go consumers to carry organic hummus with them to eat by itself, as a condiment on a sandwich or as a dip for raw vegetables. “Healthy convenience is still hard to find,” reports Robbie Rech, president of Hope Foods, Boulder, CO. “We’re hoping our single-serving packets will create a healthy treat that both adults and kids are excited to eat in their lunches and on the go,” he adds.

Available in the product’s most popular flavors, original recipe and spicy avocado, the stick packs retail for less than $1.49 each. Although refrigeration is needed long term, packets can be transported in lunch boxes at room temperature for up to six hours. Refrigerated shelf life is expected to at least double after the startup of high-pressure pasteurization equipment during the third quarter of 2013. Hope Foods also markets hummus in eight-oz. tubs with reclosable lids.