Page 35 - Packaging News magazine Sep-Oct 2022

Piñata launches heat-sealed punnets
Piñata Farms’ Sunshine Coast farm is launching supply chain and packaging innovations, presenting Australian strawberries in heat sealed punnets, and rolling out a refreshed branding presence.
contemporary look, as our customers do. The feed- back from retailers is that our punnets continue to stand out on supermarket
shelves.”
She said shelf appeal
and maintaining a pre-
mium retail position were among the key drivers
behind the update.
“From the farm to the shelf, we strive
for quality all along the supply chain and keep upping the ante through innova- tion or improved practices to achieve it.”
Scurr explained that a return to ideal growing conditions at Wamuran, south- east Queensland, following challenging La Niña-induced pre-season conditions had buoyed hopes for producing con- sistent quality, and flavoursome fruit until October
“We planted significantly less strawberries this season to account for the predicted conditions, allowing the growing team to focus on plant health and performance. Our post-harvest focus has been on improving steps along the supply chain to continue delivering exceptional quality fruit to our retail partners,” she said. ■
PACKING SHED INNOVATIONS included the addition of a quick-chill cool room, modifications to bench assem-
bly, customisation of a heat-sealing machine to accommodate three differ- ent punnet sizes and installation of a new conveyor, confirms sales and mar- keting manager Rebecca Scurr.
Scurr said the addition of the quick-chill cool room used the latest technology to get the field heat out of the berries faster, increasing shelf life, and confirms that this is the first sea- son that 100 per cent of Piñata premium strawberries are in heat-sealed punnets.
“Heat-sealing reduces packaging by 30 per cent and keeps berries fresher and firmer for longer. All premium berry lines grown by Piñata Farms – including BerryWorld raspberries – are now packed in heat-sealed punnets and all punnets pass through a metal detec- tor before distribution,” she said.
This season marks the first outing for Piñata’s refreshed strawberry brand.
“We’ve updated the strawberry brand as part of a major corporate rebrand across our entire business. Strawberries are the last to roll out the new look which features a bright red, contempo- rary strawberry shape and lots of clear space around logo elements to allow consumers to see the fruit,” Scurr said.
“Consumers are familiar with a bright red Piñata strawberry label and we’re confident they will love the
Above: Sales and marketing manager Rebecca Scurr with winter strawberries at Wamuran, south-east Queensland.
Inset: Premium Piñata strawberries feature a bright new label this winter.
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