12 December 2014
A Convex resealable Opti~fresh pack has provided Springbrook Foods with an extra week’s shelf life for their peeled garlic and a valuable point of difference in the food service sector.
Since launching the new Opti~fresh bag in mid-2014 the Blenheim-based company has received a positive response from end users, including feedback that they have `nailed it’ with their new packaging.
Springbrook Foods Ltd create and manufacture custom made sauces and condiments for the food service and food manufacturing sectors. Their Marlborough-grown freshly peeled garlic cloves are distributed throughout New Zealand to help minimise food preparation time in commercial kitchens, including fast food restaurants and cafes.
Along with making it more convenient for chefs to open the bag and keep the remaining garlic fresh and tidy in the fridge – the new resealable Opti~fresh bag is also cheaper and quicker to pack than the vacuum pouch they previously used.
Springbrook Foods Supply Chain Manager, Josh Fisher says the switch to the Convex bag was prompted by the resealable opening and the Opti~fresh technology, which eliminated the need to vacuum the pack and provided a longer shelf life.
Josh says, “The Convex bag has been a good step forward for us. It’s given us a point of difference with the reseal, an extra week’s shelf life, and a product that’s costing us less but doing a better job. The bag is really user friendly. You don’t have to worry about keeping the bag air tight. You just clip the seal and you’re done. The service provided by Convex has been really good as well.”
By using a combination of computer modelling and shelf life testing, the Convex technical team purpose-designed Springbrook Foods’ Opti~fresh pack to match the breathability of their peeled garlic. The resulting film structure enables the garlic to stay fresher for longer by delaying the ripening process and reducing ethylene production.
Springbrook Foods Sales Manager Jacob Johnson says the longer shelf life combined with the resealable closure has allowed Springbrook Foods to increase the value they provide to their customers.
Jacob says, “Convex has given us a real point of difference to help us retain our customers. The resealable opening protects against any food safety or quality risks and is causing less mess for the chefs. Being able to work with a company that is relatively close at hand to bring this sort of innovation to the market is really important to us.”
“Overall it’s been a really positive success and every bit of feedback has been positive. One customer comment received by one of our reps was, `Springbrook has nailed it with the new bag’.”