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Home meal replacements on the move

Increased consumer demand for home meal replacement spurs development of new technologies, new markets. A Packaging World special report.

Fresh Plus is the brand for modified-atmosphere-packed sandwiches that are packaged on thermoform and seal machines using barrie
Fresh Plus is the brand for modified-atmosphere-packed sandwiches that are packaged on thermoform and seal machines using barrie

The market for home meal replacements is on the move--but in what directions? Packaging World contacted some key HMR packaging users and suppliers and solicited their insights about the trends in prepared, prepackaged convenience foods.

"Recent studies indicate that Americans want to spend no more than 15 minutes preparing a meal," according to a consumer research report entitled "Trends in the United States: Consumer Attitudes and the Supermarket 1999," released earlier this year by the Food Marketing Institute. "Supermarkets have seen an increased demand for pre-made and frozen foods," the report continues. "As dual-income households and disposable income increases, more and more people turn to ready-made foods, either frozen, refrigerated, or ready-to-eat--or they eat out."

The study also reports, "Supermarkets' share of the takeout food market has been holding steady for the past three years. Currently, one in five shoppers purchases prepared meals more often from supermarkets than from any other food retail establishment. While consumers overall still turn most often to fast-food restaurants for takeout, the number of meals purchased at such outlets has steadily declined over the years. In 1999, 31 percent of shoppers report frequenting fast-food restaurants most often, compared to 46 percent in 1994."

To compete for takeout dollars, supermarkets are offering a variety of "meal solution" products. The FMI study classifies these products into three main categories: frozen, value-added, and ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat. According to the study, "A handful of ready-to-eat or

Interestingly, while supermarket deli takeout services are doing well, shoppers are using in-store, sit-down cafe facilities less frequently than in previous years, according to the FMI report. If this trend continues, it serves to intensify the importance of high-integrity take-out packaging with convenient in-home reheatability.

"Small- to medium-sized food companies are making some strong bids for a share of the HMR market," suggests Roman Forowycz, executive vice president of Redex Packaging (Schaumburg, IL). Redex supplies barrier packaging materials and fill/evacuate/gas flush/seal equipment for modified atmosphere food packaging operations.

"We're also seeing increased interest in the microwaveable clamshell packs that incorporate an easy-open seal strip around the lid. Our research shows that consumers perceive the clamshell as a premium, fresh deli-style package," reports Forowycz. "Research also shows that about 75 percent of HMR buyers reheat these products in-package in the microwave oven."

Simply sandwiches

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