Grab-and-go menu items continue to be many consumers’ choice for quick, convenient meals that can be eaten while on the move. And packaging for to-go items is a key component for these products, as it keeps food fresh which provides a longer shelf-life. The amount of time a product remains available and fresh for consumers during all dayparts can increase profitability for retailers. Therefore, shelf-life is essential for manufacturers to consider when choosing a product’s packaging for grab-and-go sections, and should be a top consideration for convenience store retailers.
Consumer grab-and-go preferences
According to Technomic’s Q1 2024 C-Store Consumer Market Brief, 52% of consumers said that the most important c-store foodservice attribute is that food products are easy to eat on the go, while 44% said that the most important attribute is that food products are easy to pick up and purchase quickly.
Consumers also prefer grab-and-go selections that can retain their freshness, even if they don’t eat their food immediately or choose to save a portion for later.
According to Technomic’s 2023 Retail Foodservice Consumer Trend Report, most retail foodservice shoppers don’t eat their food right away—35% of retail foodservice consumers wait two to three hours to eat their food, and 21% wait 24 hours or more.
Grab-and-go products with freshness-preserving packaging can keep grab-and-go sections stocked and ready for consumers any time of day.
Freshness-preserving packaging
Sandwiches from E.A. Sween are individually wrapped with packaging that ensures freshness and helps products retain taste and quality.
E.A. Sween’s Modified Atmosphere Packaging can extend the shelf life of ready-to-eat sandwiches and keep shelves filled with food options that are fresh.
Some examples of the freshness-preserving packaging that E.A. Sween offers include:
- Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) uses a multi-layered film to control oxygen and moisture transfer, keeping oxygen levels below 0.5%. MAP has up to a 30 day shelf life.
- Paper Wrap is often grease-resistant and microwave or warmer-friendly in most applications. It is available in many sizes with a seven- to 14-day shelf-life. This type of packaging also creates branding opportunities by allowing for design printing on one side.
- Flow Wrap Packaging wraps products in a transparent or printed film. It can keep food fresh for up to 30 days, and some flow wrap packaging options—such as lunch burrito packaging—can carry a 30-day shelf life.
E.A. Sween offers products for all dayparts—premium sandwiches (such as the Everything Bagel Sandwich and Italian Sub); wraps (including the Buffalo Style Chicken Wrap, Chicken Caesar Wrap, Italian Style Wrap and Turkey Club Wrap); and premium breakfast sandwiches (such as the Omelet with Ham & Cheese on a Croissant Breakfast Sandwich and Sausage & Jalapeno Bacon with Egg & Cheese on a Biscuit).
E.A. Sween’s grab-and-go selections are great on-the-go meals that are packaged to be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime in between. For more information, visit here.
This post is sponsored by E.A. Sween