PA C K A G I N G S O L U T I O N S SOLVING PACKAGING EQUATIONS Case-ready technology delivers on freshness, appearance and sustainability BY L U K A S S O U T H A R D | m e a t p o u l t r y @ s o s l a n d.c o m T he packaged meat sections of supermarkets might have seemed slightly barren or picked over this past spring. Demand for groceries skyrocketed in the wake of restaurants and foodservice establishments closing. With the increase in home-cooked meals, people began stockpiling food and filling their freezers in anticipation of supply shortages. Packaging companies are quickly adapting to these changes in consumer behavior. Consumers value increased shelf life and buying in bulk as they take fewer trips to grocery stores. Meat processors and retailers are looking for caseready packaging that is cost-effective, looks attractive to shoppers and meets sustainability goals of reducing waste. Barrier packaging is the obvious solution that satisfies both consumers and retailers. Vacuum-sealed packages extend the shelf life of cuts of meat and ensure that products are less susceptible to freezer burn. Traditional foam tray and plastic overwrap systems that have been the norm for meat packaging likely won't disappear anytime soon, said Lee Coffey, marketing manager at Amcor. But high-barrier packaging can provide many advantages for retailers and consumers. Amcor 64 MEAT+ MEAT A + POULTRY R | 02.21 | www.meatpoultry.comhttp://www.meatpoultry.com