Innovating sustainable solutions for the potato industry
Fox Packaging’s Commitment to Quality and Innovation
(Sponsored) For over six decades, Fox Packaging has been more than a supplier; they’ve been a steadfast partner to fresh produce growers and packers, driven by a mission to deliver innovative and sustainable flexible packaging solutions. These solutions don’t just extend shelf life and protect produce; they also capture consumer interest with their appealing designs.
Family values are the heart of Fox Packaging. Three generations of the Fox family are deeply involved in daily operations, ensuring the same high standards of quality and customer service that have been the company’s hallmark since its inception. This familial dedication reflects in every product they create, fostering a legacy of trust and reliability.
Keith Fox, President of Fox Packaging, is a visionary leader passionate about advancing the industry. He speaks with pride about their products’ key benefits, which include light-blocking properties, meeting consumer preferences, supporting retailer branding, and pushing the boundaries of sustainability and innovation.
“Light-blocking technologies are crucial in the potato industry,” Keith explains. “These technologies often face environmental challenges and frequent technological changes. The Fox Combo Ultra Shield bag, for instance, uses a two-layer black and white poly film to block nearly all visible light and a significant portion of UV light. This prevents photochemical reactions that can degrade food quality, which is crucial for avoiding potato greening and extending shelf life.”
Fox Packaging’s innovative solutions have transformed the potato industry. As the original patent holder of light-blocking technology for potato packaging, their opaque films and UV blockers are essential for maintaining potato quality, protecting against photo-oxidation, and preventing greening, spoilage, and nutrient loss. The Fox Combo Ultra Shield bag, in particular, has dramatically improved the shelf life of russet potatoes by reducing UV light absorption in vented poly bags from 33% to 8%.
“This innovation extends shelf life and maintains quality, demonstrating the effectiveness of light-blocking packaging in the potato industry. Packaging partners play a vital role in supporting growers by developing designs that protect products and appeal to consumers,” Keith adds.
Fox Packaging understands the power of consumer preferences in shaping packaging design. Their customizable packaging options cater to the specific needs of different potato varieties and market segments. Consumer preferences significantly impact packaging label design because consumers have a connection with their produce and there is a “see and touch” factor when selecting fresh produce items to determine exactly how fresh the produce is.
Without a product window on the front of the bag, the consumer is led to pick up the bag, turn it around, and look at the product through the mesh side. If a label with a window is designed in the packaging art, it defeats the purpose of the Ultra Shield material, since through that window, light is permitted to enter and reach the product, affecting its freshness. These are all critical packaging considerations.
Another point to consider is the see-and-touch behavior of consumers, which may result in a bag being laid back down with the mesh side facing up. Fresh produce departments will need to incorporate training to their teams to manage this as a food-loss prevention strategy. Another approach could involve using merchandising to communicate this message, allowing consumers to be educated and offer an educational moment. People want to know why certain packaging choices were made, and a collaborative merchandising program that ties into the packaging program is a fantastic way for brands and retailers to tell their story.
Balancing transparency with sustainability, Fox Packaging uses materials that offer clarity and are responsibly sourced, ensuring that sustainability does not compromise product protection. By implementing these innovative designs and strategies, Fox Packaging continues to prioritize consumer needs while maintaining their commitment to sustainability and quality.
Fox Packaging’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their Fox Combo Ultra Shield bag, designed to extend the shelf life of potatoes and reduce food waste. Despite its innovative approach to preserving fresh produce, the bag is currently categorized as ‘Not Yet Recyclable’ by the How2Recycle program. This classification indicates that less than 20% of Americans and Canadians can recycle packages with this label, or there are significant challenges in sortation, reprocessing, or end markets. This is a trade-off, ultimately, as this packaging application supports fresh produce and protects good food from being lost and sent to a landfill. The package that is supporting this data, although given that iconography, is now being questioned.
“Our team completes requests for packaging every day, providing insight into the bag, its components, weights, etc. While we are working with our supply chain partners on material development and research, we want to ensure that produce is being protected. And that is the trade-off that needs to be considered by buyers. We are always ready and willing to talk about packaging because this is how we innovate,” Keith explains.
Fox Packaging is actively working with supply chain partners to explore material development and research, aiming to enhance the bag’s environmental footprint without compromising its protective qualities. This ongoing effort reflects the company’s dedication to innovation and its readiness to engage in discussions about packaging solutions that balance operational efficiency with ecological responsibility. The company’s broader line of mesh and poly/mesh bags has been made responsibly and recyclable, showcasing their commitment to sustainable practices.
Fox Packaging further supports the potato industry through their sister company Fox Solutions, a manufacturing and distributing company of packing automation and turnkey solutions.
“We focus on developing packaging that is not only recyclable but also designed for ease of use, ensuring that sustainability does not come at the cost of convenience,” Keith says. “These innovations are part of our commitment to addressing consumer priorities and environmental concerns. Educational resources, such as workshops and training on best practices for packaging and handling, help maintain product quality and support sustainable practices.”
Light-blocking technologies in flexible packaging are a crucial component in the potato industry’s efforts to deliver high-quality products while maintaining sustainability and technological advancements. As the demand for high-quality, long-lasting food products increases, the significance of innovative packaging solutions such as UV-blocking films will continue to grow. These technologies are essential across the potato industry, safeguarding various products from the harmful effects of light exposure.
“We’re not just about maintaining the status quo – we’re about pushing boundaries through continuous investment in our processes and equipment. This commitment to excellence sets us apart and drives Fox Packaging into the future,” Keith says. “So, whether you’re a long-time partner or new to our services, we invite you to reach out to us, both our team and myself. We’re always glad to talk about packaging, and our doors are always open.”
To learn more about Fox Packaging, visit Fox Packaging or email [email protected].
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