Good Foods’ single-serve chips and dips packaged in duo avocado-shaped PET cups are high-pressure processed for a 30 to 80 day shelf life.  

Who says better-for-you snacking and convenient food packaging can’t go together? Good Foods Group, which prides itself on using simple, fresh ingredients and no preservatives, has given that question a lot of thought. The result is the new line of single-serve Good Foods Grab & Go snack packs that combine tortilla chips with guacamole, dip and salsas.

Each 3.38-oz Grab & Go pack consists of two PET cups, one filled with the dip component and the other with tortilla chips. The filled, lidded dip cups are high-pressure processed (HPP), which protects product flavor and helps maintain freshness.

The ergonomically designed package is decorated with a color-coded shrink band printed on the front facing with the calorie count, which ranges from 140 to 250 calories. Four gluten-free flavors comprise the Grab & Go line: Artichoke Jalapeño Dip, Salsa, Chunky Guacamole and Tomatillo Avocado Salsa.

The products are merchandised in the refrigerated produce section at Sprouts Farmers Markets, Hy-Vee, Publix Super Markets and Walgreens. Jim Garsow, vp of marketing at Good Foods Group, answers a few questions about the new products and the packaging.

How does the package design keep the dip separate from the chips?

Garsow: The dip and the chips in our Good Foods Grab & Go packs are filled in two separate cups. Each cup is sealed with a lid.

How are the two parts of the package combined?

Garsow: The chip cup is designed to snap on the top of the dip cup. After HPP, a shrink band is applied to the combination.

Is it the cup’s flexibility that withstands the HPP environment?

Garsow: Actually, the package does not need to be very flexible to withstand the processing environment. That is a common misconception of the HPP technology. The dip-cup packaging in actually quite rigid; in this case it is the product that keeps the pressure in the process from negatively affecting the physical structure of the cup.

What is the shelf life of the products?

Garsow: The shelf life of our Grab & Go packs varies by formula, from 30 days for our Chunky Guacamole to a maximum of 80 days for our Salsa with Tortilla Chips packs.

Is there any extra packaging protection to keep the chips crispy in a refrigerated setting?

Garsow: We use high-moisture-barrier lid film to keep the chips crispy.

What makes the cups ergonomic?

Garsow: We are very proud of our proprietary avocado-shaped design. It fits perfectly in the palm of your hand!

What does the color coding indicate?

Garsow: The color coding for our individual flavors matches up with our top-selling 7- and 8-oz guacamole and dip products. We use vibrant colors to communicate the freshness of our products and enhance the appetite appeal.

Why create a grab-and-go pack for a healthy snack?

Garsow: Consumers desire snacks that not only have better flavor but contain fresh, real ingredients. They want snacks that are conveniently packaged but are not filled with artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and that are minimally processed. With the Good Foods Grab & Go line, consumers do not need to compromise nutrition and health for convenience.

Who is the target consumer?

Garsow: This product line is designed for health-conscious consumers of all ages.

How does the packaging appeal to this consumer?

Garsow: We highlight the kitchen-fresh produce in our products. In addition, we leverage a front nutritional panel to call out key attributes, like the calorie count and gluten-free positioning.

Can you mention any of your packaging suppliers and/or package design firm?

Garsow: Sorry, we would rather not share our packaging suppliers. Designs were created in-house by our talented design team, led by Mandy Bottomlee, creative director. The team drew up the original concept and worked with our packaging partners to execute both the structure and the graphics.