Citing eco-friendly packaging and innovation as topics to watch, food packaging supplier Sabert Corp. has issued a forecast of 2024 trends in the foodservice sector.
Titled “Sabert Leaders Discuss 2024 Trends in Foodservice and Manufacturing,” the report said one trend for 2024 may be an increased focus on sustainability commitments and eco-friendly practices.
“The demand for sustainable solutions had taken a back seat during COVID because operators were shifting their business models to accommodate the accelerated demand for convenience,” Michael Van Loh, vice president of sales for supermarkets and processors for Sabert Corp., said in the report. “Now retailers and processors have reignited their focus on sustainability with an even greater sense of urgency.”
At the same time, the cost of eco-friendly products is a factor for some operators, the report said.
“The higher price tag on recycled materials, even when performance matches conventional materials, can deter some operators from adopting eco-friendly packaging,” Albert Salama, founder and CEO of Sabert Corp., said in the report. “This tension between environmental values and financial constraints continues to create a balancing act for the industry.”
A renewed focus on innovation is straight ahead, according to the report.
“We had gone multiple years where innovation had stalled, and the market was starving for innovation,” Tomia Smith, vice president of sales for national accounts for Sabert Corp., said in the report. “We now see companies reinventing their menus, delivering clever promotions and investing more in research and development efforts.”
Concern about food waste is rising, Sabert executives said.
“It’s astounding that 40% of the food we harvest is wasted,” Salama said. “Smart food packaging can help address this challenge by protecting food and preventing food loss while reducing the impact of a company’s environmental footprint.”
The full thought leadership report is available at sabert.com.
