Meat+Poultry - December 2016 - 62

PA C K A G I N G S O L U T I O N S

Rastelli Foods Group sells
its Faroe Islands Atlantic
salmon in bulk packages.
This package features
seven individually wrapped
6- to 8-oz. portions.

families, particularly in more affluent areas,"
she remarks.
The Power of Meat study revealed other
aspects of meat purchases in club stores.
For instance, those who frequent club stores
typically have incomes over $100,000 (18
percent), households greater than four people
(16 percent) and are Baby Boomers (15 percent).
Michael Uetz, principal at Chicago-based
Midan Marketing, says that value and price
remain drivers in the fresh case at club stores,
particularly among Boomers. "Club stores have
traditionally been known for bigger package
sizes and that continues to be a mainstay. Our
research shows that consumers like to have
a packaged-in-store feel to fresh meat in club
stores, too," he reports.
That said, many club store shoppers
are also open to more convenience-driven
meat and poultry products. "They are more
comfortable with alternatives, because that
gives them no-mess, no-leak and better food
safety, too," Uetz adds. "There is opportunity
in adding more case-ready products or some
different types of packages."
On that point, along with delivering value,
many meat and poultry companies offer
products with flexibility to be consumed
all at once or at different eating occasions.
According to Roerink, as many as 58 percent
of shoppers in the 2016 Power of Meat study
expressed interest in packaging that portions
the product into meal-size quantities.

BREAKING IT DOWN
In the marketplace, there are several examples
of larger-portion packages that can be broken
down into meal-sized quantities or even singleserve portions.
Rastelli Foods Group sells its Pure Land
line of grass-fed organic ground beef at Sam's
Club in two 1.5-lb. packages in a saddle-pack
format. "Members are looking for value and a
lot of times they use one and freeze one," says
Peterreins, adding that Rastelli also provides
multi-packs of portioned cuts, including 10-oz.
ribeye steaks, 10-oz. New York Strip steaks and
8-oz. filets, to Costco customers.
The Sausages by Amylu line from Chicagobased ATK Foods offers similar versatility.
"While some consumers purchase large
quantities for special events and use all of
the products at one time, like at cookouts,

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tailgates and parties, others tend to use what
they need for the moment and then store the
rest for later use. That is why our packaging
is so convenient - you use only what you
need at that moment. Anything not used can
be wrapped and stored separately," explains
Tom Schaffner, spokesman for ATK Foods.
The company's chicken sausages, chicken
meatballs and chicken burgers are vacuum
sealed in high grade packaging film, and each
sleeve can be separated from one another for
easy storage by the consumer.
Chris Salm Jr., founder of Gilbert's Craft
Sausages in Wheaton, Illinois, points out that
often, club store shoppers aren't necessarily
looking for larger quantities. "Rather, they're
looking for unique, interesting items at a lower
price than traditional retailers. The way the
club stores achieve a lower price point is by
selling larger pack sizes at smaller margins,"
he says. "The value we offer club shoppers
is our package of individually wrapped links.
This offers both the price advantage of a larger
pack size with the convenience and value of
single-serve portions." Gilbert's currently offers
a 40-oz., 16 single-link pack configuration to
club stores.
Ensuring the taste, quality and freshness
of meat and poultry products sold in larger
bulk packages is pivotal, no matter when that
product is consumed.
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Meat+Poultry - December 2016

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