Nuts look tasty in a clear, thermoformed tub

-- Packaging Digest, 3/1/2007

A curvy, oval shape and a clear view of roasted nuts inside deliver a one-two punch for Hampton Farms' Gourmet Roast nuts. Consumers with a taste for premium snacks have a new, eye-catching option: Hampton Farms' nuts packed in Sonoco's (www.sonoco.com) eXtra Clear High Barrier (XCHB(TM)) Series thermoformed tub. Considered a first for the nut segment, the clear plastic tub holds either roasted peanuts or cashews.

A premier roaster and marketer of in-shell peanuts in the U.S., Hampton Farms is the first company to launch nut products in the XCHB Series tub. The barrier, multilayer thermoformed container is a custom design with a deep draw that holds 16 oz of product.

The tub includes an easy-grip design, a wide mouth that facilitates snacking and a snap-on top that helps keep the nuts fresh after opening. The tub's barrier properties give the product a 12-month shelf life. The nuts are available in the produce section of grocery stores, online and at retail outlets across the country. To prepare for the national launch, Hampton enlisted Sonoco to assist the company with purchasing new production equipment that includes filling, nitrogen flushing, sealing and capping machinery.