Today, it is not surprising to come across myths and rumors about food, consumer packaging, and how the packaging can damage the integrity of the food. Before small food packaging for consumers, many dry goods are stored and transported in bulk bags. Consider the use of bulk packaging and answers to common food safety questions to put your mind at ease.

Although food has been packaged in bottles and cans as early as the 1700s, it was only on the mid-1960s when wax and plastic were introduced to package food. And bulk bags have been safely and effectively used in the agricultural industry for more than a century. Below are some of the most common questions about bulk packaging and food safety.

What Are the Materials Used in Food Packaging?

As of 2014, there are about 6,000 different kinds of materials and substances used for food packaging globally. Government agencies across the world approve the materials. These food packaging substances are used in food containers plastic containers, restaurant utensils, and processing equipment.

It is a global challenge to regulate the use of these substances and even more a concern to know that some may have adverse effects on a human’s health. Your best bet is always to buy food that has an approval of the FDA or your local food and drug authority.

What Are the Most Common Packaging Materials?

Although we mentioned about 6,000 substances earlier, there are only a few standard materials used because these are cost-effective. However, you need to note that the amount of material used for a food packaging container will vary from one manufacturer to another. The most common elements are:

• Cloth and Fiber
• Ceramics
• Bottles
• Plastic
• Aluminum

Despite the fact that manufacturers may use the same materials, the process of making the product can affect its quality. These processes include heating, cooling, irradiation, microwaving, and sterilization.

What Does the Government Check During Inspection?

Although each country has its own standards, there are common themes surrounding government tests. The government will require the food packaging manufacturer to submit the specifications of the end product and the government will validate if these ingredients are approved or not. Should they be approved, the government will sample a container to test the integrity of the said specifications.

Typically, the government will check for microbiological safety. This is a test to determine if the packaging is tight enough to prevent external microbes from entering and spoiling the food. The government will also need to know the standard process for manufacturing the container, its chemical makeup and what chemical changes the material will go through during the manufacturing process.

All in all, we can expect government units to check and inspect quality, safety, and the durability or performance of the food container.

What Quality Checks Do Manufacturers Put in Place to Ensure Safety?

Licensed food container manufacturers adhere to high standards of quality. Their end products go through several tests in different aspects before the products go to the food retailer.

Below are some common examples of what a food container will go through for validation.

Seal – is the seal tight enough to prevent spillage? If it is not sealed, small insects can creep into the food and spoil it.

Moisture barrier – the container must keep moisture away, including vapor, because these have a direct impact on food spoilage. Moisture that has crept through a container will turn into water, thereby expediting the expiry date of the food.

Light protection – some foods are sensitive to light. They get stale, and thus they spoil. This is why there are dark food packaging materials that you typically see on products such as tomato paste or sauce and biscuits.

Food packaging and its safety should not be feared, provided that the manufacturer is duly accredited by the government and has gone through certification form different food safety bodies, including third-party organizations that do not necessarily regulate manufacturers.

And before foods are in consumer packaging, they are transported in polypropylene bulk bags. For generations, the agricultural industry has depended on bulk bags. Bulk bags keep food safe and clean during national and international transport. These big bags are designed to hold up to thousands of pounds of dry goods, including rice, beans, and cereal. Bulk bags protect food from moisture, pests, and more. Once the food arrives at a warehouse, it is transferred into the consumer packaging found on retail shelves.

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Winter transport raises a variety of concerns for the integrity of your products. Unpredictable weather and temperature fluctuations threaten freshness and risk waste. Even the Farmer’s Almanac fails to predict if your goods will meet snow, ice, rain or sunshine with frigid or balmy temperatures. Plus, transport across country or ocean sets you up for even greater climate and precipitation changes.

Thanks to woven poly bulk bags, fresh goods find their way to the consumer’s table. Polypropylene bags handle whatever Mr. Freeze throws at them. As the second most widely produced plastic around the globe, polypropylene does not contaminate your goods with chemicals. This fact pleases health-conscious consumers.

In addition, bulk bags made of polypropylene rank high as quality-performance, low-cost options for growers. They even perform above their paper and jute counterparts. And, with improved bag-making processes, crisp, attractive graphics boost their appeal to the consumer. Check out these five reasons woven poly bulk packaging is a must-have for winter transport of your goods.

Do Not Degrade When Wet

Precipitation is a given in the winter months. Ice. Snow. Rain. No matter its form, water poses risks to your products during transport. Wet goods quickly lose freshness and may become unusable in part or whole. They also risk spoilage and mildew, mold or bacteria growth. The result, in any case, is loss of product and income.

Woven poly bulk bags come to the rescue. The properties of polypropylene do not degrade when wet. This means the bags do not give way to the pressure of their contents due to a weakened bag structure. No sagging. No breaking. Plus, your goods remain dry and fresh since water cannot get to them.

Stay Strong During Transport

Moving and storing goods in the winter may lead to some rough handling. After all, cold temperatures tend to make transport workers move faster to get back to the warmth. In the process, more tossing of bags and less care (inadvertently) may be taken with your product. Efficiency may simply override caution.

The strength of polypropylene bags combats the force of transport, on-loading and off-loading. With a greater burst strength than paper or jute, your products remain safely sealed in this packaging. The bags also prove resistant to tearing which decreases loss of product during handling as well.

Offer Air Permeability

To maintain freshness and avoid mildew, products need to breathe. However, they must also resist moisture, pollutants, oils and more to hold their quality. The balance of air permeability with resistance to unwanted elements is an important quality to any packaging used to transport fresh, farm goods. Heated trucks or storage units and moving from cold to warm temperatures raise condensation issues and rely heavily on this packaging feature in the winter.

Woven poly bulk bags can be air permeable. (Check each product’s specifications for this quality.) This feature allows air to move in and out of the bag to prevent condensation and product spoilage. At the same time, polypropylene bags resist pollutants, mildew, bacteria and oil. In other words, this packaging option keeps out intruders while keeping in your product and its freshness.

Resist Pests Encountered Along the Way

Moisture, mildew and bacteria are not the only intruders your products face in the cold seasons. While the winter months blanket many areas with snow and seeming slumber, critters and pests still roam warehouses and find their way onto trucks, trains and other transport vehicles. The warmth of the indoors and promise of bedding materials inside any bulk bags make your goods a target.

Fortunately, choosing polypropylene bags protects your goods when you cannot. Woven poly bulk bags resist pests better than paper or jute options. Again, the strength of the woven layers keeps intruders out of your product.

Prove Less Expensive

Delays arise with winter freight shipments. The weather and its impact on trucks, trains and other vehicles lays outside your control. Ice causes accidents. Snow closes roads. Rain slows speed. Unfortunately, these delays prove costly. Keeping expenses down in other areas offsets the costs of delayed goods.

Packaging supplies is an obvious area to cut costs. However, quality remains a priority. Otherwise, loss of goods due to weak or pest-permeable bags increases. Bulk bags prove less expensive than paper or jute, while maintaining their high-performance qualities. This fact means safe, fresh shipment of goods at a lower cost.

Are Woven Poly Bulk Bags Right for You?

Can you think of any better option for transporting your goods to wholesaler or market than woven poly bulk bags? Finding a stronger, more weather-resistant, low-cost packaging proves near impossible. To improve your bottom line with decreased waste and spillage and increased freshness and pest-resistance, check out which polypropylene bags work best for transporting your products this winter. You and your consumers are sure to be pleased.

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World agriculture faces significant challenges as it looks to feed a growing population in the next

30 years. With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, growers and those in the food provision industry need to identify ways to add over two million mouths to its current demand for nourishment.

In addition, the current growth in crops harvested per unit of land moves slower than the projected food demand. Factors of climate change raise global temperature and decrease water supplies which both impact crop yields over the long-term. These factors add pressure to an already tenuous situation.

Some untapped agricultural land potential exists in countries such as Canada, China and Russia. However, other countries like Brazil expect a decrease in crop production in the near future. Whether the existing land compensates for the decrease in crop space depends on innovations in eco-friendly farming, sustainable packaging (such as bulk packaging) and efficient transport methods.

What Does This Mean for Growers?

Evidently, these demands significantly impact growers and the work they do. Innovations in crop production and packaging, storage and transport suggest two areas of focus for farmers. However, keep in mind that the support of businesses along the supply chain, R&D and the government impact the ability of growers to make improvements.

Increased Crop Production

To meet a growing food demand, the obvious answer is to produce more food. However, limited land and other factors make this solution more challenging than might be expected. Growers increase crop production by:

– Expanding agricultural land

– Enhancing productivity

– Adopting new farming methods

Or, all of the above. Whatever methods are chosen, sustainability and ecological concerns as well as social impacts must be incorporated into the decision. The rising incomes expected in developing countries also change the types of foods in demand. For instance, protein sources tend to get higher billing.

Increasing crop production represents a mix of ecological, social, governmental and production considerations. A variety of institutions and people along the food supply chain impact a farmer’s ability to produce more food.

Improved Transport and Storage

Growing demand and limited land raise the need for improved packaging as well as transport and storage options to ensure food gets to the people who need it. Food security methods which protect product integrity prove key.

Growers and packaging companies must strive to:

– Reduce spillage and waste

– Reduce spoilage

– Reduce infestations and contamination

Modern technologies and packaging products help meet this need. Bulk and BOPP bags prove a cost-effective way of storing and transporting agricultural products. Their strength weathers the wear and tear of travel, resists contamination and bears heavy loads. Furthermore, UV light resistance protects products from damage. These qualities accomplish all of the above goals.

BOPP bags and other bulk packaging products improve the storage of goods by protecting product integrity. Extended shelf life and stability when stacked on shelves delivers safety and freshness to the consumer’s table. As the global demand grows, the importance of these features grows as well.

What are the Ecological Considerations?

Encouraging innovation in both productivity and transport and storage raises solutions. But, there is not one cure-all answer. It is multi-faceted. Uniting growers, businesses and governments around this mission is vital to puzzling the pieces together to feed our growing world.

Avoiding deforestation which negatively impacts biodiversity must be accomplished. These losses contribute to global warming and thereby, further challenge agricultural production. Unfortunately, the original goal is to improve crop production.

Sustainable intensification allows farmers to use current land in innovative ways. Precision farming tools help produce more crops with greater yields on existing farm land. These methods also reduce groundwater depletion and land overuse.

Can We Feed Ourselves in 2015?

Decreased spending on R&D in developing countries over the last 30 years offers a challenge. Limited funding and government regulations place further pressures on rural farmers. These factors do not help the cause.

However, if global policy makers, business owners, growers and consumers place a higher priority on global food balance, food security just may improve. Investing in innovative crop production, sustainable packaging, and improved bulk transport and storage materials benefits everyone along the food supply chain.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) states cautious optimism over the world’s ability to feed itself by 2050. Innovations in crop production and yield, land use, water conservation, food transport and storage, and more come into play when tackling this challenge. Socioeconomic factors and natural resource constraints impact the problem as well.

The FAO calls for stronger interventions. They quote the need for faster progress and higher percentages of investments to support growers and produce greater crop yields. But, they warn against buying into the fear of yield plateaux and inadequate supply to meet the demand. According to FAO, “if the appropriate socio-economic incentives are in place, there are still ample ‘bridgeable’ gaps in yield.” The bottom line? Working together is the best course of action.

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The growth of the world’s population demands food shipments travel farther. In fact, 25 percent of U.S. farm products (by value) are exported annually. By 2050, the world’s population is projected to reach 9.7 billion people and calls for the production of 70 percent more food than growers currently produce. Bulk packaging materials meet these demands.

In addition, a large percentage of grower income goes toward production, processing, packaging, transportation, distribution, and marketing costs. Bulk packaging features help lower these costs. Bulk bags and containers also protect the integrity of agricultural products and the earth which sustains them. In sum, bulk materials benefit agricultural businesses in the short and long hauls.

The Benefits of Bulk Packaging

Loss of product due to waste or contamination, ineffective or defective packaging materials, and worker injury cost growers. (Visit this graph for a rundown on losses paid by crop insurers to growers.) Fortunately, bulk packaging materials address these issues and more with a viable, value-laden solution. Consider these five benefits for agricultural businesses.

1. Keep Products Dry and Pest Free

Bulk packaging materials made of polypropylene resist water and protect contents from moisture. This packaging feature also prevents mold and mildew growth. In addition to moisture control, odors are not passed between bulk bags when transported or stored close to each other. The result? Quality products delivered to the customer and consumer.

Furthermore, bulk polypropylene bags keep pests from invading and damaging agricultural products. Insects, vermin, and other pests lead to product loss and decreased profits. BOPP bags and other such bulk packaging prevents infestation and mitigates these losses for growers.

2. Offer Durability and Flexibility

Strength and durability over time prove important features of bulk packaging. Long-distance transport requires innovative packaging materials that go the distance. Also, the need for storage is answered with bulk bags, which offer ideal storage containers. Tear-resistant materials keep products and other agricultural industry items from spilling or otherwise being damaged.

Bulk packaging materials come in sizes and shapes to fit many agricultural product needs. Crops, seeds, fertilizers, and other products ship and store well within the safe protection of bulk packaging. Plus, the ability to print clearly on BOPP bags and other bulk packaging options clearly identifies your agricultural products in storage and transport, with no weakening of the bag’s strength.

3. Promise Eco-Friendly Protection

Wheat, barley, nuts, and delicate vegetables find protection in bulk bags and containers along with other agricultural crops. Bulk packaging options prevent products from being marred or crushed while traveling from farm to table. And the good news? They do so with minimal cost to the environment. Bulk packaging also reduces the need for plastic packaging, which is made from non-renewable resources and takes centuries to break down in the environment. Bulk packaging also reduces transportation costs, since fewer containers are needed to transport the same number of products.

Eco-friendliness calls for bags which require no harvesting of trees and produce little waste in their production. Products made from recycled or sustainable materials further answer the call. And the option to reuse or recycle bulk packaging as well as their durability extends their environmental friendliness. Protecting the land, even in terms of packaging, ensures it provides crops for growers in the years to come.

4. Improve Worker Safety

Shipping and storage of large quantities, bulk quantities of product put workers at risk. Lifting large drums and bags strains more than backs, particularly if something goes wrong. Farm accidents result in temporary or permanent loss of work capabilities. Repetitive hard labor causes injury and chronic pain. Unhealthy practices negatively impact workers as well as farm productivity.

Durable bulk bags with handle and loop options delegate the lifting and moving to forklifts, hoists, pallet jacks, and other mechanical equipment. Standard bulk packaging allows for the automation of production and transport processes, which permits control from a safe distance. These help remove some of the strain and risk from workers. Plus, less labor-intensive processes yield fewer costly accidents. \

5. Weigh Cost With Value

Polypropylene and other such materials keep bulk packaging production costs low. Their durability and reuse potential extend the life and use of these bags. The ease of filling processes due to bulk packaging features saves time, energy, and workforce resources while reducing waste. And the ability to handle heavy weight products, even sand, and gravel, while maintaining material integrity benefits growers.

Each of these factors raises the value of bulk packaging. With a lower cost, longer life, efficient filling potential, and greater reliability than other packaging options, bulk packaging stretches the grower’s dollar and in turn, helps lower product costs. Plus, less spillage and spoilage result in less waste during filling, transport, and storage — a boost to any grower’s bottom line.

Know When To Make The Switch To Bulk Bags

When considering whether to make the switch to bulk bags, it is imperative to consider all the advantages that bulk packaging offers. Bulk bags offer cost savings, increased durability, efficient filling processes, and the ability to handle heavy loads without compromising material integrity. Additionally, bulk bags can reduce waste, labor costs, and the risk of accidents for workers. For businesses looking to increase their efficiency and lower their costs, bulk bags are the right choice for you! Therefore, it is clear that bulk bags offer a number of benefits, making them an attractive option for many businesses.

The Result: A Quality Product Farm to Table

Bulk packaging options answer the demands of the agricultural industry and a growing, hungry population. A durable, eco-friendly storage and transport option that reduces waste and cost while increasing the value is found in bulk bags, BOPP bags, and woven polypropylene bags. Both the grower and the consumer benefit from the delivery of quality, fresh products.

Contact Western Packaging today to learn more about how our bulk packaging solutions can help you transport and store your products more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Modern farming accepts great responsibility in meeting the global food challenge. The growing population, expected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, places a heavy burden on growers and the limited land available for crops. Creative and wise resource use enables farms to rise to the challenge of eco-friendly farming practices.

However, the need to minimize the environmental footprint at the same time adds pressure. Fortunately, modern innovations and plant science bring options to all areas of the farm. Nature-friendly farming proves more achievable than ever, and the impact of damaging farm practices is reduced.

Why Does Eco-Friendliness Matter?

In its origins, farming cultivated the land and contributed to its beauty. Unfortunately, industrialization and the growing agricultural needs to feed a growing population wreaked environmental damage as well. Technology comes at a high environmental cost, but without it, food stores fail to feed the masses.

Environment-friendly agriculture and products take farming back to its roots. The practices that were chosen by growers impact issues such as climate change and deforestation. By using eco-friendly alternatives, farms conserve water, reduce pollutants, preserve soil, and reduce food waste. Adopting such methods and materials protects the farm and profits.

What Eco-Friendly Farming Ideas Can You Adopt?

Sustainable agriculture protects the environment, profits farmers, and promotes social and economic equity. Every link in the food system chain plays a role in ensuring sustainability. In other words, everyone from growers to grocers finds solutions in the present that do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

So, what is the role of growers in sustainability? Check out these environmentally friendly farming methods.

Land Reuse

The growth of the global population dictates the need for more land to plant crops to nourish it. Producing more food on existing farms protects this natural resource. Biotech crops guard against expansion by millions of hectares.

In other words, crop protection products and biotech seeds make good use of existing land rather than expanding farm commodities. This protects nonagricultural ecosystems, habitats, and water supplies.

Energy Renewability

Alternative energy sources offer sustainability and eco-friendly farming options to growers. Electrical fencing, pumps, heaters, and even farm equipment and machines run on these power sources. Examples of renewable energy sources include:

– Solar panels and power

– Hydro or wind power

– Geothermal heat pumps

– Hydroelectric power

Earth Protection

Soil health dictates the ability of the soil to “function as a vital living ecosystem.” Protecting the soil proves vital to farming profits and eco-friendly crops. Ways of maintaining soil integrity from the Solution Center for Nutrient Management include:

– Crop rotation and biodiversity to enhance soil nutrients and decrease soilborne pathogens

– No-till or decreased tiling options to avoid disturbing soil, which increases healthy organic material and decreases erosion

– Year-round cover and off-season crops to increase soil carbon and reduce water contamination

– Cover crops or crop residues to reduce evaporation, increase water retention, and prevent wind and water erosion

Water Conservation

Growers play a significant role in addressing global water shortages through sustainable water use and innovative plantings. Water retention and on-farm demand represent two areas where farms maintain this impact. Specifically, eco-friendly farms address water shortages when:

– Well-planned, efficient irrigation systems function through irrigation scheduling, water return systems, and improved pump efficiencies

– Organic materials added as organic soil amendments are used to help retain soil moisture

– Drought-tolerant plantings or local crops adapted to the area are used to conserve water

Pollution Control

The fresh air of the country runs the risk of compromise when farming practices fail to protect it. Farm machinery, herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides pollute the local air, contribute to global air quality issues, and are environmentally unfriendly. Pollution control at the hands of growers looks like this:

– No-till methods reduce the use of farm equipment.

– Herbicide-tolerant crops and crop protection products cut greenhouse gas emissions.

– Targeted fertilizer applications during peak crop demands limit excess chemicals in the soil and nitrous oxide emissions into the air.

Packaging Considerations

Storing and transporting products require eco-friendly considerations as well. Innovative, reusable products made of recycled or sustainable materials extend an environmentally conscious message to consumers. Nearly every packaging product offers an eco-friendly version. Look for land-conscious features in:

– Bulk and BOPP bags

– Woven poly bags

– Paper bags

– Stretch film

– Strapping

– Even tape

What About Your Farmhouse?

Eco-friendly farming goes beyond planting methods and biotech seeds. Renewable energy sources and sustainable materials extend to farm buildings as well. Green building practices, recycled and reclaimed materials, solar or alternate energy, rainwater collection systems, composting, and more build the farmhouse and outbuildings with eco-friendliness.

What Eco-Friendly Farming Option Will You Choose?

But there’s more. Eco-friendly practices also preserve habitats, contribute to public health, encourage vibrant communities, and protect wildlife and livestock. Human, animal, and plant life benefit from innovative, modern farming practices. Which ones will you adopt today?

Thank you for reading our blog! Do you have more ideas on how we can make the agriculture industry more eco-friendly? How can we help you? Contact us today.

Delivering a fresh product in attractive packaging speaks boldly about your brand. Allowing packing materials to be an afterthought to producing a quality product negatively impacts your bottom line. But how do you strike the perfect balance between quality and cost?

Underspending on packaging puts you at risk for delivering unattractive, spoiled or damaged goods. Overspending keeps your precious dollar from other important investments while impacting your profit. Both result in waste. Let’s look at the factors in choosing agricultural packaging for both quality and cost.

Considering Quality

Building integrity with your customers means delivering fresh, appealing products. Quality packaging does just that. Superior materials keep foods fresh through transport and storage. They also move your goods to the store free from damage and without unnecessary delays. Bulk bags can ensure quality and freshness when transporting and storing by providing superior protection for the product.

They are designed to protect against external elements such as dust, moisture, and temperature changes. The bags also provide cushioning and support to keep the product safe and secure during transport. Additionally, the bulk bags are designed to be breathable, allowing air to circulate and helping to keep the product fresh and free from spoilage. 

When choosing agricultural packaging, quality dictates that you consider product freshness, shelf appeal and the message you desire to send. The choice is personal to your product and your brand. What works for the farm in the next county may not work for you.

Considering Cost

Unfortunately, expense proves a significant factor in choosing agricultural packaging as well. Budgets fail to stretch to include all limits. If you desire woven polypropylene bags but your budget only allows for multi-wall paper bags, you need to make adjustments elsewhere or opt for paper.

The most expensive option is not always the best. If you are paying for more material features than you need, the extra dollars are wasted. The least expensive option adds to your cost if it proves inappropriate for your application. Damaged, spilled or spoiled product impacts your spending.

Bulk bags can save you money in the long term by ensuring that your product is secure and protected, thus reducing the risk of waste. These bags are designed to be durable and can last longer than other types of packaging. Furthermore, bulk bags can provide cushioning and support to keep the product safe and secure during transport, thus reducing the risk of damage and saving you money. Overall, bulk bags can save you money by providing you with the superior protection you need and reducing your waste and spoilage on the job. 

Tips for Melding Quality and Cost

So, how do you combine factors of quality with cost to make wise agricultural packaging choices? If it’s not all about quality, and value alone fails to dictate the answer, what strikes the ideal balance? Check out the following tips.

Stamp Your Brand

The packaging you choose represents your product and your brand. Going with an inexpensive outer package when you produce a premium product does not say “high-quality” to consumers. On the other hand, expensive, non-environmentally-friendly bags fail to represent your organic products well. These mistakes cost you in the spread of your message and customers.

Whether BOPP or paper bags, wood or plastic pallets, the materials you choose to deliver your goods tell your story. Be sure to communicate your market position, purpose and values well.

– What message does your packaging send?

– Does your brand stand out consistently?

– Do premium or economical materials best represent your brand?

– Do your material choices tell consumers you care about the environment?

– Is your labeling high-quality and damage resistant?

– Is all printing clear and attractive?

Study Your Buyer

Saving money on packaging misses the mark if it does not speak to consumers. Studying your target market allows you to choose options which get their attention. The functionality and visual appeal of packaging choices are worth considering, both in the store and the home pantry.

Your buyer is drawn to how the packages appear on the shelf and the look of the product when opened at home. Succeeding at both brings return customers.

– Is your product too bulky or does it fit comfortably on the store shelf?

– Does your packaging hog shelf space?

– Is your product the right or wrong shape?

– Does the packaging choice appeal to your target buyers in quality?

– Is the packaging easy to open and use?

– Does your product look good coming out of the package?

Ensure Durability Over the Long Haul

Damaged, spilled or spoiled products cost you money. In fact, the hit to your bottom line is greater when replacing damaged goods than investing in quality packing materials from the start. To maintain product integrity, consider the journey of your product from farm to table, transport, delivery, and storage.

– Do your shipping materials protect your product from contaminants or pests?

– Are your shipping materials keeping your products sealed and fresh?

– Does your choice of bags resist tearing or other shipping risks?

– Is moisture a threat and does your packaging address it?

– Are there any specific shipping or storage conditions to consider?

Avoid Driving Transport Costs

Using packaging which fits transport vehicles, storage facilities and delivery keeps transport costs low. Opting for standard sizes is one way to make this happen. This choice offers flexibility on pallets and in warehouses. Plus, standard pallets more readily fit transport vehicles. Packaging which does not fit equipment risks costly damage or return.

Furthermore, bulky, heavier packaging costs more to transport. Lightweight and compact packaged products decrease transport costs as well as storage requirements.

– Does your packaging material meet industry specifications?

– Is your packaging bulky or heavy?

– Can you minimize packaging while maintaining product value and appeal?

Answer the above questions to focus your thoughts on the agricultural packaging. Time and money to pre-determine your best choices in both cost and quality are wise investments.

Why Bulk Bags Are The Right Choice For Your Agricultural Business

When packaging products for agricultural businesses, it is imperative to consider factors such as size, durability, transport costs, and ease of use. Bulk bags are often the best choice for these businesses, as they are lightweight and compact, meet industry specifications, and can protect the product from contaminants and pests. Ultimately, investing time and money in pre-determining the best packaging choices for your business can save you money in the long run. To get started, take a look at our selection of bulk bags and find the one that best suits your needs. Visit Western Packaging today to find the perfect bulk bag for your agricultural business!

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Did you know that a first impression forms within seven seconds? Even more intriguing, 55 percent of that initial impression is visual. Initial judgments are not primarily about the words spoken or the tone in which you say them. They are made about your look, posture, eye contact, and a handshake.

In fact, people decide all kinds of things about you in the time it takes to introduce yourself. Believe it or not, they size up your trustworthiness, status, intelligence, power, success and more. That’s a lot of judgments made in such a short time.

But, how does this apply to bulk packaging?

The packaging and shipping of your products make an impression as well. From the delivery personnel to the customer receiving your bulk goods, the look of your package speaks volumes about who you are and what you value. Check it out.

What Your Packaging Says About You

A first impression includes the way your product looks as well as the customer experience. Within a few seconds of interacting with your bulk shipments, delivery personnel and consumers believe that they know you. It might be unfair, but it is what it is.

While these beliefs can be wrong, they tend to stick. This truth is what makes it essential to evaluate and upgrade your first impression. Consider the following questions that could be answered by a glance or brief interaction with your bulk packaging.

Do You Care About Quality?

Torn or crushed packaging means damaged goods to consumers. The strength of the shipping materials you choose for your product indicates your concern with quality. For example, straps or stretch film can keep pallets of products contained for a favorable impression. Furthermore, using the appropriate liners or materials to ensure freshness is critical as well.

Packaging factors to consider:

Do the shipping containers you choose ensure the best protection of your product?

Are the bags and boxes you use made of durable materials that can handle the shipping journey?

Do your products arrive intact and sealed for freshness?

Are You Considerate?

As you choose shipping materials, consider the equipment and storage issues along the transport route and how they impact your first impression. Pallets, bags, and boxes that are difficult to maneuver or store do not give your brand a favorable name. Improving the customer experience with easy-carry, non-tearing bags plays a role as well.

Packaging factors to consider:

Do your shipments stack well for storage and freshness?

Do your pallets, bags and other shipping products meet equipment specifications?

Do you take extra steps to improve the shipping process and customer experience?

Do You Value the Environment?

Today’s consumers look for products that reduce waste and environmental impact. This fact has led to the development of eco-friendly packaging options that fit most applications. Seeing pallets, bags, and boxes reused as well as products made from recycled materials such as BOPP bags impresses consumers.

Packaging factors to consider:

Are your pallets, shipping bags or boxes reusable?

Are your shipping products made of sustainable or recycled materials?

Do you reduce your carbon footprint in the materials and processes you choose?

Are You Trustworthy?

Research reveals that trustworthiness assessed in the first few seconds does not typically change. Your packaging solutions regarding the above questions give consumers an impression of whether you are trustworthy. Furthermore, the appearance of your brand and labeling plays a role as well. Well-printed, bold logos and information versus faded or scratched labeling provides a better first impression.

Packaging factors to consider:

Do your bags or boxes ensure freshness?

Do your shipments arrive on time and in good condition?

Is labeling clear and helpful?

Why First Impressions Matter With Packaging

As the saying goes, “You get one shot to make a first impression.” If your packaging tells customers that you are trustworthy and value the consumer (and the Earth) while producing a quality product, well done. Those buyers are likely to come back for more as long as their experience continues to match their first impression.

However, if your packaging does not leave a favorable impression, changes need to be made. Why? You will lose business. Like it or not, initial feelings about a product will impact if it gets bought. Plus, the power of word of mouth works against you when poor impressions are shared.

First impressions are difficult to undo so do not lose heart. Strategic and intentional changes draw consumers back to your brand. A new look which addresses customer concerns tells consumers that you are serious about fulfilling their needs.

Here’s your next step. 

Walk into your storeroom. What does your packaging say about you? Is this the image you want to give customers? If you are not sure, be brave, and ask others to provide you with feedback. A few simple changes could put you on the road to making a better first impression.

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Getting your product from the farm to the table requires countless decisions. Perhaps the one with the greatest impact is product packaging. Without durable, protective, sustainable, low-cost, customizable options, issues of product, and dollar waste arise. Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) plastic bags offer a viable solution to the packaging problem.

In fact, polypropylene bags are the first clear choice for bulk packaging of agricultural products worldwide. And for a good reason. If you are unfamiliar with the benefits of using BOPP plastic bags in packaging, storing, and transporting your agricultural goods, you’ll want to keep reading. Below, we sing six praises of this worthy product (you may find a few extras hidden in the text as well).

Strength

The manufacturing process of creating BOPP extrudes and stretches the material in two directions: longitudinally and laterally. This stretching creates a more durable, fatigue-resistant product. Bags made from BOPP handle the loads placed on them while maintaining stability.

Plus, BOPP plastic bags hold up to the wear and tear of packaging, loading, and transport. The abuses of machines used to move products are no match for this woven material. Strength also means your product becomes resistant to contamination, microbes, and airborne pollution when stored in a BOPP bag. Nothing gets in. Nothing gets out.

Finally, in the hands of a consumer, bag strength matters. While a buyer may not notice how rugged a bag is, he or she notes when one breaks, sags, or gets soggy due to the weather. The woven, fabric-like makeup of BOPP bags makes them durable and weather resistant which ends consumer frustration and protects your reputation.

UV Light Resistance

The composition of BOPP bags makes them resistant to UV light. The sun’s rays prove beneficial in growing agricultural products. Also, new research indicates that exposing fresh produce to sunlight increases the health benefits.

But, outside controlled conditions, UV light causes potential damage to agricultural products. In other words, sunshine is no longer beneficial once the item is packaged. Storing, transporting, and purchasing take environmental controls out of your hands. BOPP bags protect your inventory when you cannot.

Improved Storage

Also as a result of the way BOPP is created, it becomes incredibly transparent. This feature makes sheets of BOPP ideal for creating clear bags. In packaging, clarity allows you to see the product and check its integrity. The transparency of BOPP also has printing benefits described below.

In most bulk bag applications, a clear BOPP overlay gives them a high gloss finish. This feature adds to the attractive look of the bag. Also, BOPP bags are easy to keep clean and offer excellent stability when stored and stacked on shelf space. Plus, BOPP extends the shelf life of your product, thereby delivering freshness and safety to the consumer.

Environmentally Friendly

Cutting waste and recycling efforts boost revenues and decrease your company’s carbon footprint. Made with polypropylene, BOPP bags are recyclable (although not biodegradable). With the quantity required in the agricultural community, this fact saves landfills. But they are also reusable which adds an environmental and cost bonus.

Furthermore, the Environmental Working Group rates polypropylene as a low to moderate hazard. The dope-dyed method of printing bags requires no water and thus requires no wastewater disposal. A win for the environment and you.

Cost-Effective

Bags that refuse to break lower overall expenses. Product integrity is maintained, and product loss is minimized due to the strength of BOPP bags. Seepage and contamination score low, while moisture prevention scores high, which further guards your product and investment.

Also, using fewer layers than paper bags, BOPP options weigh less which saves on weight and shipping costs. UV protection properties ensure product integrity which delivers items fresher. And recyclability saves on disposal costs as well as your overall investment.

Finally, BOPP woven sacks are found in abundance and prove easy to obtain at a low cost (particularly compared to jute or paper). In short, BOPP boosts your bottom line.

Customizable

BOPP bags respond well to printing and being laminated. A film of BOPP is applied over woven polypropylene bags. This feature makes it easy to achieve the look and specifications needed for your packaging. Clear, vivid customization on both sides of the bag (and the gussets) is the result.

Polypropylene also proves to be colorfast. As a result, the printing stays put. It does not run and cannot be rubbed or scratched off. When your product travels across the community, state, or country, it is crucial that your brand remains intact.

Maintaining your company image through packaging, storage, transport, and the purchase is a powerful marketing tool. Every set of hands that move your product become familiar with your name. And with the ability to print as vivid as a photo on BOPP bags, your message comes across crystal clear. In short, BOPP plastic bags get the job done.

Thank you for reading our blog! Are you looking for more information on our BOPP bags for sale or the types of bags we carry? Contact us today.

For a farmer, branding may conjure up images of fire-heated marks left on a steer. This tagging method identified which farm the livestock belonged to. But an impression about the farm supported that mark as well. Similarly, branding your farm identifies products coming from your efforts.

Furthermore, branding is your stamp on the world, how others recognize you. Think of some of the major names in the agricultural industry. These names are widely known in supermarkets simply by the familiarity of their looks and the consumer impression behind them.

Whether you want to develop into a national company or remain a regional entity, branding helps you meet your goal. Why is this marketing strategy, seemingly foreign to the natural landscape of the farm, so important? Check it out.

What is Agricultural Branding?

Agricultural branding goes beyond the fields of wheat or rows of corn logo and carefully chosen fonts. While these items represent your brand, the concept delves much deeper. In short, branding encapsulates who you are and portrays that image to the consumer, if done well.

Effective agricultural branding includes every aspect of farm life and production. Your mission and vision for the work you do, the way you maintain your farm and production facilities, and your involvement in local and charitable affairs all impact consumer attitudes. This is your brand.

What Does Branding Do for Your Farm?

While you may understand the need for the branding of products and services, using this strategy on the farm may seem a bit far-fetched. After all, should and could a commodity be branded? In reality, you may not survive the market without it. Farm branding is very important! Your farm’s brand accomplishes the following.

Becomes Your Image to Consumers

Again, a brand takes the sum of who you are and feeds it to consumers – your look regarding name, words, symbols, and design in combination with the associated attributes. Through continued contact with your branding, people get to know you and your products. You are instantly recognized. And consumers gravitate toward the familiar.

For instance, if the central focus of your mission is to offer organic products and invest in sustainability, your brand makes this message public. If you want consumers to know that you provide hormone-free meat products from a trusted source, you build a brand to say just that.

Boosts Your Competitive Edge

A key to any business is standing out among the competition. Branding tells consumers how you are different and why they should choose your products over those from the hundreds of acres next door. Branding in agriculture is just as important as the brand on your favorite snack at the grocery store.

This differentiation enables you to avoid price wars and competition on volume versus cost alone. Your value becomes tied to consumer preference, not function. By creating this type of value in the eyes of the consumer, your competitive edge sharpens and becomes sustainable.

Breeds Customer Loyalty

Consider your loyalty to brands. What company manufactures your tractors? Which feed company do you continually choose to feed your livestock? Where do you purchase feed bags and packaging materials from? Yes, farmers are loyal to their brands.

And consumers prove to be the same. Achieving and maintaining customer loyalty through your brand requires sustained effort. But, the payoff comes in repeat business. Customers loyal to specific brands invest three to four times as much money on food as those purchasing based on price.

What Does Branding Do for the Industry?

And there’s more. Branding goes beyond the gates of your farm and the products you ship. This vital strategy also works to shape consumer perceptions of the industry. Just imagine the impact that poor treatment of livestock in general (as believed by the consumer) has on local beef farmers.

Furthermore, a sense of pride comes to individuals and farms associated with branded, recognizable entities. Whether involved in the hands-on production, promotion or sale, and distribution of these products, individuals feel good about what the produce. This positive morale reaps efficiency and better products on farms and bolsters the industry as a whole.

Are You Ready to Brand Your Farm?

Branding puts the mission and actions of your efforts into words and symbols to speak boldly to the consumer of the value and unique offerings you bring to the marketplace. In fact, consumers believe branded items hold greater value, prove more reliable, and are of higher quality than non-branded products.

Grab the bull by the horns, and get a jump on your farm branding efforts today. We promise you will be pleased with the results. Start by using customized bulk bags to promote your farm brand everywhere your product is stored and transported. Imagine how many people will see your company name and logo.

Are you looking for the perfect product to help print your logo or brand on your products? Try our EBS Handjet Printer for all your branding projects. You will not be disappointed with the quality of the printing.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog! Let us know how can we help you? Contact us today.

The bounty of harvest in agricultural production rests on all kinds of variables. There is no precision to predicting a crop’s yield or ending waste from the field to the table. However, advances in technology offer promising solutions to the agricultural industry’s issues.

Agricultural technology or ag tech helps growers at all points along the food production process. First, by alerting farmers as to growing conditions. Then by monitoring crops and production processes. And by decreasing the time a product requires to get from picking to plate. Hope exists for fresher products with less waste.

A Brief on Ag Tech

Weather proves extreme and unpredictable. Reduced immigration drives farm labor costs upward. Shortages of produce hurt the consumer and boost prices. According to CBInsights, these factors indicate a greater need to look at ag tech options. According to IBM, artificial intelligence (AI) breeds solutions which:

– Maximize overall farming potential

– Increase farm efficiency and safety while reducing human error

– Supplement the diminishing rural labor force

– Provide data to maximize return on crops

– Offer real-time assistance to farmers through chatbots

Agricultural technology is changing the landscape of the traditional farm. From planning the first till of dirt to putting food on the global kitchen table, technological advances pave the way to greater farm efficiency and better, fresher food sources.

Ag Tech at Work

The result? Increasing farm efficiency benefits both the grower and the consumer, and everyone in between. Software, drones, robotics and more support agricultural production in the field, at the farm and on the table.

In the Field

Likely the greatest area of variability in agriculture lies in the field. Weather, soil conditions, seed quality and more impact farm productivity from first thought. While getting around this requires lab-like conditions, ag tech sustains the traditional farm field as a viable and productive food source. A few ag tech examples in the field include the following:

– Sensors provide detailed data on soil quality, wind conditions, water availability, fertilizer needs and pest problems.

– GPS devices direct tractors, combines, and trucks for optimal usage.

– Drones scan fields and notify farmers of problems and crop ripeness.

– Technology even tracks nutrients and growth rates of individual plants.

– Ag tech options relieve the numbers required regarding human labor.

At the Farm

Once harvested, crops need care and packaging at the farm (and at times, outside it) to distribute food products to the consumer. Agricultural technology makes these processes quicker more efficient. With less waste and increased food integrity and freshness, a better product is delivered. A few ag tech examples at the farm include the following:

– Analytics move products through production more quickly to avoid spoilage.

– Data gathering software provides field maps by analyzing the best crops to plant given both sustainability and profitability.

– Autonomous truck delivery continues to whisper of promise.

On the Table

Changing dietary habits impact the foods on consumer plates and their expectations of food quality and nutrition. The landscape of culinary preferences leads to an increased need for agricultural technology solutions. After all, producers need to meet the demand to profit and succeed. A few ag tech examples on the table include the following:

– Traceability systems offer insight on products moving from the farm to the table and beyond.

– Sensors in packaging alert for spoilage.

– Software gives consumers recipes based on pantry items.

– Mini scanners provide access to ingredients and nutrient content of plated food.

The Changing Agricultural Scene

As technology advances, the farm looks less and less like it did in the days of dirty overalls and rough, callused hands. While a modern-day farmer may still enjoy digging his hands in the dirt, fully automated farms are on the rise.

With this trend, CBInsights suggests the future skill set of farmers may lean toward agronomy (the study of soil and crop production) and technology. Yes, the agricultural scene is changing dramatically with the need to feed more people globally with greater efficiency.

Furthermore, gene-edited crops and even indoor farming, including lab-grown food sources, magnify the need for ag tech products. These alternatives to traditional farms offer optimized farming through “lower water usage, higher crop yields, improved crop flavor and shorter supply chains.”

Keeping Up With the Changing Scene

Whether you are a local farm looking to boost your productivity or a large scale operation striving to continue your success, agricultural technology offers options for your farm. Starting with simple in field or production techniques moves you in the direction of your goals.

Timeless Solutions Still Matter

While technology is changing many procedures, timeless solutions continue to play a significant role in the agricultural industry. Bulk bags are one of the most efficient ways to transport hundreds and thousands of pound of dry goods. For generations, bulk bags are cost-effective, easily customized, and can be imprinted with your farm’s logo and product.

Capitalizing on ag tech solutions reduces waste and increases efficiency. And, both of these benefits boost your overall productivity.  You might just be surprised how it helps you do what you love even better. Learning to harness the power of farm technology can make a notable difference in your daily operations.

Thank you for reading our blog! How can we help you? Contact us today.