1. f o o d p a c k a g i n g for retail, wholesale & catering food-based businesses

2. definition and purpose Packaging crafts your image while integrating deliverability and maximizing shelf-life. The best planned packaging helps sell your food product by differentiating you from your competitors.

3. packaging should have strong visuals a positive message consistency and adaptability professionally created graphics

4. who needs packaging? all value added food-based businesses: farmers caterers chefs manufacturers of shelf-stable foods makers of perishable products

5. trends in packaging hand created illustrations, labels

6. trends in packaging simple, fresh, clean

7. trends in packaging “created especially for…”

8. trends in packaging wacky, humorous

9. trends in packaging functional

10. trends in packaging ethnic

11. trends in packaging optical illusions

12. trends in packaging packed as a set

13. trends in packaging new, unique

14. trends in packaging compostable

15. graphics and information compelling graphics and branding statement of identity name and place of manufacturer, packer or distributor declaration of net quantity ingredients & additives legibility guidelines

16. principal display panel FDA definition “part of a label that is most likely to be displayed, presented, shown, or examined under normal and customary conditions of display for retail sale.” general rule of thumb for any shaped container: 40% of entire surface area = area of principal display panel

17. “sustainable” packaging facts 9 of 10 consumers expect a company to pick up the costs of "greener" packaging, and only 40% read and believe environmental claims. (SustainableLifeMedia Aug. 7, 2008) The FTC is investigating packaging terms like sustainable, biodegradable, compostable. 299 eco-logos are used globally to identify environmentally responsible products. More that half of packaging execs say recyclable packaging will be significantly important or the most important ethical packaging innovation over the next five years. (SustainableLifeMedia “Retailers Press for Greener Packaging” Aug. 7, 2008)

18. principal display panel must have: statement of identity net quantity of contents should have: compelling graphics and branding

19. principal display panel

22. packaging process design considerations use experienced designer early on specific product needs and competition all possible sales outlets technical requirements unique branding, future products, and all possible printing and promotional uses end use, perishability / shelf-life, shipping, merchandising, cost

23. packaging process materials pressure sensitive labels, decals flexible food packaging folded cartons bands and sleeves glass recycled plastics

24. packaging process printing selecting medium is key check specific artwork guidelines for printers in advance digital, offset flexography for film and labels rotogravure for variety of flexible plastics screen printing directly to plastic packaging etching directly to glass

25. packaging process delivery and shipping methods Important branding opportunity (retailers are customers, too!) Vital to integrity/safety of packaging Vital to food safety Can reduce environmental impact

26. resources Glass Packaging Institute www.gpi.org ideas, product categories, awards, resources Be Green Packaing www.begreenpackaging.com USA Phone: 805-456-6088 C-to-C certified tree-free, compostable food container packaging Alcan Packaging USA Phone: 773-399-8000 www.alcanpackagingfood.com flexible food packaging rhondabonfield.com branding specialist 336-926-9882 RESOURCE LINKS: http://rhondabonfield.com/links.html Associated Packaging Technologies USA Phone: 484-785-1120 www.aptechnologies.com addresses superior resin formations for frozen plastics and dual-ovenable (for conventional and microwave ovens) Shorewood Packaging / International Paper USA Phone: 800-537-4141 www.internationalpaper.com Food Service materials and Green Choice Environmental Solutions for Packaging and Displays Dade Paper Toll Free: 800-226-3233 www.dadepaper.com wholesale products for retail application and food services