ATLANTA, GA - Is the key to inspiring kids to love fruits and veggies in the way it’s delivered? Maxwell Chase thinks so, looking to offer a more appealing package to boost childhood consumption of fresh produce.
Tom Gautreaux, National Sales Director, and Jeff Gibbs, VP & GM, took the time to share with me the inspiration and innovation of its proprietary Fresh-R-Pax® Mini-Container.
“The beauty of our package is the absorbent pad at the bottom of the container pairs fresh fruit with easy-peel packaging so that children automatically know what to do,” Jeff says. “From bite-sized portions to the convenient container, it’s exactly what we need to help get kids eating more fruit.”
Maxwell Chase’s Fresh-R-Pax® Mini-Container involve a “food safe absorbent packaging” used to both improve the freshness of the contents and extend the shelf-life.
“In light of the 'fresher is better trend' we hope to help customers gain a natural edge in a very competitive market. To do so, we offer innovative and patented packaging that can ensure a profitable shelf-life and noticeable product integrity without added sugar,” the company’s new Sales Associate, Derek Riley, adds. “Our smart containers are catching eyes with the crystal clear lidding and absorbent technology.”
Fruits include:
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew melon
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Assorted color grapes
- Blueberries
Not only does the absorbent technology have a 10 to 14 day shelf-life while still looking and tasting fresh off the farm, but it’s available in several sizes to reach a multitude of age groups.
“We have the 2.5 oz mini-container, which is targeted for elementary kids, 4 oz for high school, 6 oz for anyone from college/university level to even hospitals,” Tom tells me.
The team also zeroed-in on how much of a factor convenience can be in eating fresh produce, no matter the age group.
“One of the ways to boost children’s fresh fruit consumption is to make it easier,” Tom shares, explaining that the idea began to form when he was at a meeting about boosting fruit and veg consumption for kids at United Fresh. “Look at the success of apple wedges–give a child or an adult fresh-cut fruit and they love it. If it’s convenient, fast, tasty, and easy, they’ll eat it again.”
Comprised of a patented blend of food-safe materials that comply with both FDA and EU Food contact regulations and just as well-suited for stores as it is for shoppers, our conversation turns to the buy-side and what Fresh-R-Pax® Mini-Containers can do for retailers.
“I’ve seen many retailers focusing on nutrition,” Tom shares, specifically citing a major Midwestern retailer’s efforts to make healthy-eating easier with more access to eating experts. “This retailer for example, is ensuring that there is a nutritionist in every store to walk you through and show you a healthy way to eat.”
Tom continues that the retailer has also developed a “Healthy Kids Zone” featuring fresh-cut fruit and veggies in ready-to-eat single portion sizes just for the kids; and the “big kid” in all of us too.
This, he says, is just one example of innovative moves the buy-side is making to help both the industry and consumers.
And now Maxwell Chase has more in the works, it seems, with the possibility of even more versatile packaging options for consumers on the go. Keep checking in as we continue to report on this and other growing companies in the industry.
