Dipping Chocolate, from Tropical Foods, Charlotte, NC, is a case in point. A broker approached the company with the concept to fill a void in the confectionary aisle. Tropical Foods created the product, and then called on its supplier network to develop the right package.
The result is a clear polypropylene tub from Berry Plastics that holds 6 oz of chocolate wafers. “Many dipping chocolates in the retail market are packaged in flimsy containers, melt inconsistently, and are difficult to work with,” says Chad Hartman, Tropical Foods brand manager. “We were looking for a see-through container. We feel it is important for the consumer to see our product.”
Beyond product visibility, the Dipping Chocolate package provides consumer convenience in a second way. It is microwavable, eliminating the step of using a separate dish for melting the chocolate. Consumers remove the lid on the Dipping Chocolate package to expose the chocolate pieces, heat the contents in a microwave oven for 30 seconds, stir the chocolate, repeat those steps as needed, and serve. Hartman says 6 oz of chocolate is adequate for 1 lb of strawberries, and the chocolate also can be used for dipping with nuts and dried fruit.
The label on the lid shows succulent photography of dipped strawberries. Datamark Graphics prints the label in four process colors and contract packager Match Point Enterprises (336/226-6988) applies the label to the container.
Dipping Chocolate is available in the dark-chocolate, milk-chocolate, and white-chocolate varieties. Suggested retail price is $2.99 to $3.99.
