Following up on yesterday’s post about country of origin labeling, I thought I’d share some new information about another industry labeling topic – albeit more on the supply chain efficiencies side of the industry.

Currently there is a gradual transition underway from generic Universal Product Codes (UPCs) to company-specific UPCs. Currently, UPC numbers begin with a generic, PMA-assigned prefix, followed by an item reference number and check digit to identify packaged produce. It’s expected that retailers will begin to require a more specific UPC where the prefix is assigned by GS1 US, a global standards organization for multiple industries.

The specific UPC will identify the item and the company of origin, enabling retailers to differentiate between different brands of product in the same category. As a result, retailers are able to determine sell-through and shrink data by brand.

To help industry through this transition period, we are developing a UPC migration tool that will be available June 1. In the meantime, we’ve added information on this topic to our website.

We also have several other tools available to industry, including Databar Online. This tool, initially created in 2009, was created to allow distributors to communicate their item numbers to buyers, and allow buyers to download the information into their point-of-sale systems for loose and bulk items. Having recently undergone enhancement, Databar Online now delivers a more user-friendly experience, including a streamlined registration process and the ability to easily update records. Databar Online is currently available to the industry at large—PMA members receive discounted pricing. An instructional eLearning course on Databar Online will be available today, May 15.

As you know, one of the many issues I blog about here at PMA is sustainability, ranging from new surveys or reports to member sustainability stories. Recently while getting caught up on a short stack of industry magazines, I read Progressive Grocer’s 2013 Sustainability Handbook and came across some interesting statistics and trends that may be of interest:

• The Food Marketing Institute’s 2012 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends Report found that almost one-third of consumers said products’ environmental sustainability impacts their shopping decisions. More than one-fifth said they consider retailers’ corporate sustainability practices when making purchasing decisions.
• Ninety-two percent of college graduates say they want to eventually work for a sustainable company.
• An Ipsos InnoQuest global survey found consumers are likely to pay more for value-added features that relate to freshness and sustainability in food packaging. Leading these features are “keeps food fresher longer” (55 percent), environmentally friendly packaging (55 percent), reusable packaging (42 percent), and easier-to-use packaging (39 percent).

The handbook also cited a report I mentioned a few months ago: A.T. Kearney’s Buying into the Local Food Movement. This study found consumers embrace local food options because they think doing so helps local economies (66 percent), delivers a broader and better assortment of products (60 percent), and provides healthier alternatives (45 percent). It also recommended that, in order for larger grocers to convince customers to purchase local food, these operators must prove they can offer products of equal or greater quality than standard products, as well as ensure that local products are given adequate shelf space and location.

With regard to the findings from the Ipsos InnoQuest survey, I’m reminded of what we found in our own of consumer packaging preferences toward fresh produce: eco-friendly packaging is important to just fewer than 40 percent of consumers. Our report also recommended that produce companies appeal to the “green” consumer by ensuring that packaging include any relevant information about the packaging or symbols that indicate recyclability (many consumers expressed confusion as to where to locate this information on existing packaging).

To learn more about this resource, visit our packaging study page to view the report and video Podcasts.

What do you think about these trends? Share your thoughts with us in the Sustainability Community on PMA Xchange.

According to findings from EcoFocus’ most recent consumer survey (which was highlighted in the October issue of Progressive Grocer magazine), most consumers said they are making eco-friendly choices “at least some times.” Eighty-six percent of U.S. adults are receptive to eco-friendly choices, with foods eaten at home at the top of their green shopping lists. The top three eco-actions for shoppers are:

• 67 percent said they want to limit the amount of garbage their household produces
• 65 percent said they want to choose foods or beverages that are packaged responsibly
• 62 percent said they want to use less plastic

Shoppers also indicated what they’d like retailers to do – especially when it comes to helping them make eco-friendly choices. Forty-eight percent want their retailer to screen products to ensure they are environmentally friendly, and 47 percent want their retailer to offer information on recycling and other practices.

While this study didn’t address fresh produce, I am reminded of what PMA’s study of consumer attitudes on packaging told us. More than half said they look for the packaging they buy to be environmentally friendly, either in the materials used or whether it is recyclable. While those concerned about environmentally friendly packaging may be a minority, environmental concerns are a continuing trend.

To appeal to the green consumer, our report noted that produce packaging should include any relevant information about the packaging or symbols that indicate recyclability (many consumers expressed confusion as to where to locate this information on existing packaging). Overall, packaging would be enhanced by greater visibility of environmental messaging.

To learn more about PMA’s packaging study, visit the PMA website. These are free to PMA members; note that you must be logged in to the website to view any of the studies and reports.

Also, if you’d like to share your thoughts and opinions on consumer packaging in fresh produce, join the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

According to a July 19 article published in The Packer, sales of produce in clamshells and bags continue to rise at the expense of counterparts sold loose; packaging is gaining even in bulk-traditional items, like avocados, bananas, citrus and grapes, according to the latest data from Nielsen Perishables Group.

The article noted that “bulk sales accounted for most sales of apples (72.7 percent), avocados (93.3 percent), cherries (94.9 percent), citrus (87.5 percent), grapes (94 percent), pears (98.1 percent), specialty fruits (94.2 percent), sweet corn (98.4 percent), peppers (90.3 percent) and tomatoes (75.9 percent), but packaging showed year-over-year gains in each of those categories.”

Consumer interest in packaged produce was confirmed in the study we conducted last year, wherein consumers told us the most important attribute of produce packaging is that it preserves freshness and taste, with almost 90 percent of respondents agreeing this is important. Following closely behind in importance are that packaging protect against damage and that the package store easily in their refrigerator. The most important attribute of the label is the size, indicating that consumers want to be able to inspect their produce before purchase, much as they would with bulk items.

If you’ve not yet seen this study, visit our packaging study page to view report as well as three executive summary videocasts highlighting the quality, convenience, and information aspects contained in the study. We’d like to hear your thoughts on the videos and report in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Finally, if you’re using innovative packaging in your business, please consider entering the 2012 PMA Packaging Impact Award contest. The submission period closes on Friday, August 10 (so you’ve only got a few days left to send in your entry)!

Winners will be announced at Fresh Summit 2012 in Anaheim, California. If you encounter any difficulties in completing the Impact Award submission form, e-mail Elaine Bange here at PMA.

According to a new Michigan State University study, packaging influences the way fruits and vegetables are chosen by consumers, with shoppers saying they prefer to purchase produce that comes in a rigid, bio-based plastic container with a long shelf life and a low price – even to the point where consumers will opt for certain items in these kinds of containers rather than in bags.

In a press statement, a MSU researcher noted that “consumers believe the type of packaging material could affect the quality of the food product, and the rigid container may provide better protection compared to the flexible bag The preference for bio-based versus petroleum-based plastics shows an increased awareness of the environmental aspects of packaging materials.”

Interestingly, the researcher also commented that not much research had been conducted regarding packaging’s influence on the purchasing patterns of fresh produce. PMA members know that last fall we released Consumer Attitudes Towards Packaged Fruits and Vegetables to fill this knowledge gap and help our members better understand consumers’ packaging expectations.

In that study, we found that the most important attribute of produce packaging is that it preserves freshness and taste, with almost 90 percent of respondents agreeing with this. Following closely behind in importance are that packaging protect against damage and that the package store easily in their refrigerator.

If you’ve not yet seen this study, visit our website to view report as well as three executive summary videocasts highlighting the quality, convenience, and information aspects contained in the study. Combined, the three videos run just under 15 minutes. Also, we’d like to hear your thoughts on the videos and report in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Finally, if you’re using innovative packaging in your business, please consider entering the 2012 PMA Packaging Impact Award contest. The submission period closes one month from now on August 10, with winners being announced at Fresh Summit 2012 in Anaheim, California. If you encounter any difficulties in completing the Impact Award submission form, e-mail Elaine Bange here at PMA.

Recently via Twitter I read about a new packaging film currently being tested which claims to slow down the decay rate of fresh fruits and vegetables to the point of doubling normal “best before” dates. It is being testing on potatoes now and, if successful, may be extended to other packaged produce items.

This reminded me of what U.S. consumers told us last year in our Consumer Attitudes Toward Packaged Fruits and Vegetables study. Respondents said the most important attribute of produce packaging is that it preserves freshness and taste - with almost 90 percent agreeing this is important. Following closely behind in importance are that packaging protect against damage and that the package store easily in their refrigerator. Also, when buying packaged produce, three-fourths of produce shoppers told us they look for “use-by” or “sell-by” dates on the packaging.

When I buy packaged produce, I often use the “sell by” date as the deciding factor in what to purchase. If the date is good within four days, I’ll put it in the cart but if it’s within a day (or sometimes the same day), I’ll pass altogether or substitute an alternate product, depending on what’s on the menu for the week.

To learn more about our packaging study, visit the PMA website to view the report and video Podcasts. You can also join the discussion in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Also, if you’re using innovative packaging in your business, consider entering the 2012 PMA Packaging Impact Award contest. We’re accepting entries until August 10, with Impact Award winners being announced at Fresh Summit 2012 in Anaheim, California.

Recently I read about a RetailMeNot/Ipsos consumer survey which found that while 46 percent of respondents are more inclined to buy a product if it is eco-friendly, the majority of respondents (59 percent) are unwilling to pay more money for that eco-friendly product or service. A majority of respondents (71 percent) felt that they are aware of the positive and/or adverse environmental impact of products they purchase every day. Still, more than four in 10 respondents reported that when they actually make purchases, they do not think about the impact that those products have on the environment.

Interestingly, 60 percent of respondents reported that they sometimes proactively take steps to “green” their home or lifestyle, such as by recycling, driving energy-efficient vehicles, weatherizing their home, using eco-friendly products, etc. When it comes to purchasing habits, 40 percent of respondents said they buy green, eco-friendly products when they are readily available and there is no big cost difference versus non-eco-friendly equivalents. Yet 51 percent reported that they buy whichever products suit their needs at the time, “green” or not.

In our own study of consumer packaging preferences toward fresh produce, we found that eco-friendly packaging is important to just fewer than 40 percent of consumers. Our report also recommended that produce companies appeal to the “green” consumer by ensuring that packaging include any relevant information about the packaging or symbols that indicate recyclability (many consumers expressed confusion as to where to locate this information on existing packaging).

To learn more about PMA’s packaging study, visit our website to view the report and video Podcasts. You can also join the discussion in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Also, if you’re using innovative packaging (for sustainability, food safety, or other purposes) in your business, please consider entering the 2012 PMA Packaging Impact Award contest. The submission period opened yesterday, May 1, and will close on August 10. Impact Award winners will be announced at Fresh Summit 2012 in Anaheim, California.

In the most recent Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) e-mail update, I noticed that the PTI is currently conducting a survey to measure the progress the produce industry has made toward case-level traceability. If you haven’t already completed the PTI Implementation Survey, please do so now as the survey will close April 5. You can take the survey here, which will only take about 7-10 minutes of your time. (Note: the survey deadline has been extended until April 12.)

Every month, I take a look at usage statistics for this blog and in March, traceability was the most accessed topic. In light of this, I wanted to share with you some details about a new PTI e-Learning course PMA developed to help educate industry members about the Initiative and its goals.

Available in the Education section of our Food Safety Resource Center, this course provides a detailed timeline of the PTI – from its inception to its current work. It also addresses common misconceptions about what the PTI is and what it is not.

This is the second e-Learning course PMA has released in recent weeks. In late March, we unveiled a course focused on managing a food safety non-compliance event with PMA Chief Science and Technology Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker. This is also available in the Education section of our Food Safety Resource Center.

These courses are a few of the new formats PMA is utilizing to give members important information in a format that is easily accessible. In addition to these, we’ve added video Podcast briefs focused on PMA’s packaging study as well as provided a new way for members to communicate with each other and with us on PMA Xchange.

Last week via Twitter, I read about a new study by Perception Research Services which found significantly more shoppers said they’d like to choose environmentally friendly packaging now compared to 2010 (36 percent versus 28 percent). Half said they are willing to pay more for this option, even in light of their economic situation, with this claim being more frequent among shoppers under the age of 40.

Interestingly, 59 percent of respondents said that seeing environmental claims on packaging positively impacts their behavior (to either buy more of the brands they usually do, or switch to others); however, 26 percent said there isn’t enough environmental information provided to them, while 20 percent said the multitude of environmental claims is confusing.

Of the various claims seen, the study found those having to do with recycling (recyclable, made from recycled material) are both noticed most and have the most impact on buying behavior. Conversely, the claim “made with less material” is less influential.

Last fall, to address members’ consumer research reeds, PMA published Consumer Attitudes Towards Packaged Fruits and Vegetables. I’ve mentioned this report several times here on Field to Fork, but wanted to mention something new related to this study.

On the PMA website, we have just added three executive summary videocasts highlighting the quality, convenience, and information contained in our packaging study. Combined, the three videos run just under 15 minutes.

Check out the packaging study page to view these videos and download a copy of the report. Also, we’d like to hear your thoughts on the videos and report in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Also, if you’re using innovative packaging in your business, please consider entering the 2012 PMA Packaging Impact Award contest. The submission period will open May 1, with winners being announced at Fresh Summit 2012 in Anaheim, California.

Last week via Twitter, I read about a Natural Marketing Institute study which found that 75 percent of Americans believe many consumer products are over-packaged and about one-quarter will look elsewhere. Minimal packaging is most preferred among consumers, followed by recyclable packaging and use of packaging materials that are environmentally friendly.

NMI analysts said that “marketers can maintain current and attract new consumers by using less packaging and ‘greener’ packaging materials. Specifically, ‘renewable’ and ‘plant-based’ materials are rated most environmentally friendly among consumers.”

While NMI’s report looked at consumer products in general as being over packaged (which I agree with, after spending more time than needed getting my toddler’s Christmas presents out of their boxes), the sentiment of environmentally friendly packaging reminded me of last year’s PMA study on consumer preferences on fresh produce packaging.

We found that more than half of the in-store intercept respondents, and about a quarter of those interviewed, said they look for the packaging they buy to be environmentally friendly, either in the materials used or whether it is recyclable. While those concerned about environmentally friendly packaging may be a minority, environmental concerns are a continuing trend.

To appeal to the green consumer, the report notes that produce packaging should include any relevant information about the packaging or symbols that indicate recyclability (many consumers expressed confusion as to where to locate this information on existing packaging). Overall, packaging would be enhanced by greater visibility of environmental messaging.

To learn more about PMA’s packaging study, visit our Consumer Research Center on the PMA website. These are free to PMA members; note that you must be logged in to the website to view any of the studies and reports.

Also, if you’d like to share your thoughts and opinions on consumer packaging in fresh produce, join the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange, where this topic is one of several being discussed.