Packaging Sizes Moving to the Middle
June 10, 2010 | 1 min to read
First it was family-sized packaging that offered convenience and cost savings. Lasagnas were packaged in 3-pound sizes good for the entire family. Then single-serve packaging became popular. Perfect for lunch or dinner, the smaller size allowed everyone in the family to choose their own meal, ready to eat at any time of the day.
At the 2010 IDDBA Expo, a new trend was emerging. According to both retailers and exhibitors, the most desired packaging size for everything from salads to desserts to entrees and sides are packages larger than single-serve but smaller than family-size.
These new sizes allow for the appetites of hearty eaters or leftovers, and they can be combined for family meals when more than one choice is desired. More economical than single-serve sizes, the mid-size packages offer retailers the opportunity to offer a product with less packaging and a higher price point than single-serve and customers don't need to worry about wasting food.
Lee Smith is the publisher and editorial director for Deli Business and Cheese Connoisseur