New Packaging Helps Small Farms Reach Grocery Chains

Foodshed.io and Fox Packaging announced a new packaging solution designed to move small and midsize farms onto the shelves of major grocery chains.

The effort follows a pilot of the startup’s local-produce model with Kroger, which highlighted the need for a format that meets large-retailer standards while staying realistic for modest farms. The trial showed that a standardized container could travel through existing distribution channels without requiring additional handling steps.

“Small farms operate differently than large-scale suppliers, and we needed a packaging solution that respected those differences without compromising the retail experience,” said Dan Beckman, CEO of the company. “Working with Fox Packaging, we’ve been able to create a solution that works for farmers, retailers and, ultimately, consumers.”

The design can hold a wide variety of fresh items, helps preserve quality and can be shipped to several farms on short notice. It does not require growers to own automated lines, and it supports flexible checkout and clear grower identification. Materials are selected for durability and compliance with food-safety regulations.

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“For local produce to succeed at scale, packaging has to do more than protect the product. It has to work across the entire supply chain,” said Victoria Lopez, marketing and business development manager at the packaging firm. “By developing a solution that accommodates smaller production volumes and diverse grower needs, we’re helping remove barriers that have historically made it difficult for local farms to participate in larger retail programs.”

Retailers stand to gain a broader local assortment, differentiated merchandising and the potential for added foot traffic and incremental sales, effectively bringing a farmers-market feel into conventional stores.

Fox Packaging contributes more than 60 years of fresh-produce packaging expertise, offering formats such as mesh, poly and wicketed bags, with some materials containing up to 30 percent post-consumer recycled content and optional automation through its Fox Solutions division.