Stand-up pouches offer stand-out appearance

The Layered Selections pouches enable consumers to see the disparate ingredients of the ready-to-eat salads and heat-and-eat soups.

Time and freshness​

John Becker, Sandridge Food’s senior director of marketing, told FoodProductionDaily the products are geared toward people with an interest in fresh foods but no time to shop for separate ingredients and prepare.

“Recent studies have consistently reported consumers’ desire for fresh product when it comes to prepared foods​,” he said. “We also found prepared-foods shoppers actually want the ownership of preparing it themselves and take care when selecting the food that they bring home​.”

Development team​

The company assembled a team of nine culinary and food-science experts to take the layered concept ant turn it into reality. The group came up with a way to prepare the product in small batches, and layer it in the stand-up pouches.

Dan Zakri, director of new product development and Culinary Institute of America alumnus, said putting the job of freshly mixing components give the products a high degree of texture, flavor, and control.

“Consumers can use every recipe as is or add a star ingredient to express their creativity​," he said. “It’s unparalleled to any refrigerated prepared side and entree on the market today​.”

Packaging presentation​

Becker explained packaging configuration was key to the execution of Layered Selections.

“Pouches have been a growing trend for soup and baby food products and had promise for generating movement in prepared foods items​,” he said. “Along with supporting our sustainability practices, the BPA-free pouch offered a unique and differentiated merchandising approach and would showcase the textures, colors, and freshness of the ingredients​.”

After the packaging and processing methods were solidified, the company invested $1.5m addition in the facility dedicated to the Layered Selections line. The expansion included high-efficiency processing and packaging machinery.

To serve, the consumer opens the pouch, pours into a bowl, stirs, and (depending on the product) serves cold, or heats in the microwave.