Packed in a tub with crackers, the snack creates new eating occasions for the company’s cheese by making it portable and shelf-stable. Single-serve portions of dipping chips—in the mini tortilla, pretzel twist or zesty Ranch bagel varieties—and real cheddar cheese dip, sell in a multilayer thermoform plastic tray. Chips and dip nest in separate compartments inside the tray. A two-line ink-jet code includes a sell-by date on one tray side. A laminated foil lid seals against the tray and uses photography of the chips and dip to increase the potential for impulse purchases.
“Cheese Dips! are great for lunches, afternoon snacks, and as grab-and-go light-meal alternatives,” says Lou Gentine, Sargento chief executive officer. The company, for proprietary reasons, declined to provide package specifications or identify the suppliers. Sargento is initially rolling out the product in select convenience, drug and dollar stores before extending distribution into major retailers across the nation. The snack trays retail for $1.29 to $1.49.
