Safe and sustainable food packaging is one of the best solutions to the global waste management problem. Many manufacturers switch to eco-friendly materials as part of their green initiatives. However, this transition can be slow and challenging since experts are still working on new and practical innovations.

Shifting to eco-friendly packaging is a big step toward sustainability and reducing the impact of climate change. While using organic materials is possible through years of research, making them food-safe is extra challenging. To know more about safe and sustainable food packaging, here’s a comprehensive guide.

What To Look For

When searching for safe and sustainable food packaging, there are vital features to look for. Since food products are more vulnerable to contamination, opting for quality and safety is imperative. Here are some of the qualities you must consider:   

• Durability: Any product packaging should be durable. The durability makes an eco-friendly container safer despite handling from the manufacturer to the local stores. Food products prone to spillage require more rigid packaging to ensure their safety.
• Grease And Moisture Resistance: Keeping the structure of food packaging despite the grease and moisture is challenging. It’s a common problem in food delivery services. As a solution, experts have developed sustainable food packs with moisture-proof linings. Aside from safety, it can also keep the food warm and fresh for longer, perfect for deliveries. 
• Insulated: Packaging is crucial to maintaining the safety and quality of food products. Since these are perishable items, extra protection against moisture and constant temperature changes is necessary. Therefore, using eco-friendly insulated packaging is a must.
• Compostable Or Recyclable: Sustainable packaging can be categorized into two types: compostable and recyclable. Compostable materials can naturally degrade for at least two years. These types of packaging are only suitable for fresh food items.

On the other hand, recyclable options are perfect for items that require additional protection for an extended period. These materials can be collected and processed to create new packaging or products for other purposes. They can be reused repeatedly without degrading the quality, making them sustainable. 

These are some standard features you must look for when getting safe and sustainable food packaging. However, always consider the food you’re packaging first before getting the right options.

Costs

After considering all the crucial factors, it’s time to consider the costs. Some businesses might be hesitant to switch to sustainable packaging since it can cost more than typical plastics. Since lowering production costs is a must for every business, the additional cost can be a huge setback. 

One way to minimize costs is to find a local eco-friendly packaging supplier. Doing so will lower the shipping prices. With the growing demand for safe and sustainable packaging, finding a manufacturer you can partner with should now be easier.

Popular Options

There are many safe and sustainable food packaging options to choose from. Some of these have been utilized for decades, while some are new. With a wide range of choices, you can find one that suits your needs. Here are the most popular food packaging options in the market:

• Food Takeaway Boxes: Food takeaway boxes made of cardboard have replaced the use of polystyrene packaging, which is now banned in several states. Boxes are eco-friendly and economical alternatives for making food safe for delivery. 
• Wheatgrass Packaging: One of the latest innovations in sustainable packaging is wheatgrass plastic. Containers made from these organic straws are durable, reusable, and recyclable. They’re also suitable for packing liquid products like drinks and sauces. 
• Glass Containers: Glass containers are some of the pioneers in reusable packaging. Glass jars and bottles are versatile and economical solutions for packing a wide range of food products. These are also convenient to recycle and repurpose at home. 
• Food-Grade Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a highly versatile and extremely tough material. Using them for food packaging is an excellent choice since they can be recycled repeatedly without degradation. The production of food-safe stainless-steel containers is also more cost-effective in the long run, with proper recycling and repurposing. 
• Beeswax Wraps: Beeswax wraps are suitable for lining food takeaway boxes. These look like regular wax paper, which you can wash and reuse to wrap fruits and vegetables. After eight washes, you can tear or shred them for composting. 
• Water-Soluble Films: Water-soluble films are a great alternative to non-biodegradable cling wraps. They can be utilized for packaging fruits, vegetables, and other fresh produce sold in groceries and supermarkets. These films can easily dissolve in water, so they don’t end up in landfills. 

With the technology the world has today, there’ll be more eco-friendly food packaging options that will come in the future.

The Future Of Sustainable Food Packaging 

The use of safe and sustainable food packaging is expected to increase in the coming years. Due to the food industry’s environmental impact, many businesses are taking the initiative to switch to eco-friendly alternatives.

Moreover, the production of sustainable food packing is growing fast. Many investors and researchers are actively focusing on developing new organic-based, compostable materials to reduce the waste problem. They’re also establishing methods to produce more with low energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Final Thoughts

The switch to safe and sustainable food packaging is a conscious effort to tackle environmental problems while enhancing the quality of products for your consumers. Despite the challenging transition, its benefits will be worth it in the long run for your business and the planet.

If you’re planning to start collecting a few bottles of wine, storage is one of the things you need to figure out. Wines that need long-term storage are for maturing. It is for those who seriously want to get professional-made storage. And most wines out there are made to be enjoyed right away. So, you can do well for this type of wine by remembering these tips.

1. Wine Cellar Cooling

Wine Cellar HQ says it’s important to consider your climate when choosing a cooling unit, as through-the-wall units only work if your outside temperature is less than 100°F. Humidity and temperature can cause the cork to dry out. Furthermore, finding the means to control these two elements when you’re storing wine bottles with corks is crucial. That’s because when the cork dries, it becomes brittle and might start to fall into the wine.

There are various ways to keep wines cool. You can invest in a cooling system for your wine cellar or create a vapor barrier between the insulation and the foundation wall of the storage room. Moreover, a dehumidifier in your wine storage room or cellar makes a third low-cost alternative. Dehumidifiers draw moisture from the air through absorption or cold coils and filters. They have a built-in humidistat that allows users to set up the required humidity level.

2. Avoid Exceeding Cooling Temperature

If you don’t have a cellar with a cooling unit best for wines, you can temporarily hold them inside the refrigerator. Be careful, though, because they don’t do well in long-term refrigeration.

The fridge’s temperature is lower than 45° F and can dry out corks, making it prone to cracking. Refrigerators are ideal for fresh produce and storing cooked food, but not for wines because a damaged cork can let in air that can influence its taste. In addition, avoid extremely cold places that could freeze the wine. Once the wine freezes, it could pop the cork out of the bottle.

3. Position Them Horizontally

Properly storing wine also means that you’re likely to invest in a wine rack. It’s especially true for wine bottles with cork to keep them moist.

Storing wine long-term means that corks could dry out. They lose elasticity gradually, and the older they get, the less expanding they become. As mentioned earlier, corks can turn brittle, which risks premature aging and leakage. Additionally, keeping bottles on their sides provides you with easier access and more space to store wines.

4. Keep Lights Low

Normally, you won’t mind bright lights in storage areas for your belongings. But that’s not the case with wines. Your wine storage should have dim lighting and must be away from natural lighting that emits ultraviolet (UV) rays. It could cause premature aging to your wine, other than air exposure. That’s also why most wine bottles are tinted dark. Keep your unopened wine bottles in the dark, away from fluorescent lights and sunlight.

5. Avoid Shaking The Bottles

Theoretically, some think that vibration could chemically alter the contents of wine bottles. It’s common to find wine collectors who take storage seriously and fret over the vibrations caused by electronics inside the storage room. But there is barely any evidence to support its influence on wines.

Although older wines in storage keep sediments inside, vibrations could keep them from settling down. Sometimes, it could make the wine gritty, which is also the last thing you want. If you don’t live in a location where many causes of vibrations could shake wine bottles, you can keep these bottles safe.

6. Properly Store Away Opened Bottles

If you have been drinking wine for health or leisure at home, you must know how to preserve wine once opened. Wine bottles that have been opened can last three to five days as long as the cork is tightly placed.

You can use wax paper around the cork to make it easier to slide it back in place on the bottle. It will also help prevent the cork bits from dropping inside the liquid. If the cork has been compromised or discarded, you can replace it with a rubber wine stopper to effectively seal the bottle. Otherwise, you can get a vacuum pump to create an airtight seal and suck the air out of the bottle.

In Conclusion

Wine is best enjoyed on any occasion, but it needs proper storage to retain its freshness for as long as possible. For beginners at wine keeping, it’s worth knowing how to easily store away wine in the most convenient of ways. You don’t have to buy expensive gadgetry to keep your wine fresh. You only need to keep these tips in mind for wines you can consume as soon as they are on sale.

Loving someone who loves food may make gift shopping difficult. The overwhelmed gifter may feel inclined to simply purchase a gift card to a friend’s most beloved restaurant. While that’s certainly not a terrible gift, many more options are more creative and unique.

When deciding on the perfect gift for a foodie friend, consider all the different ways food affects our life and culture. Go beyond the restaurant with these gift ideas for the person in your life who can never get bored of eating.

Register Them For a Cooking Class

If your friend is consistently bemoaning how they wish they could make Khukara Ko Polau or Ga Kho at home instead of paying big bucks for it at a local eatery, register them for a cooking class.

Cooking classes let intrepid chefs improve their skills, no matter their experience. From beginners’ cooking classes to advanced specialty courses, there’s sure to be an offering that delights your foodie friend.

Basic classes introduce your friend to the craft essentials, such as knife skills and mise en place. Specialty classes can cover advanced techniques like baking, cheese making, or how to prepare seafood for raw dishes like ceviche and sushi.

If your friend isn’t big on getting out of the house, they can take an online cooking class. Check out the offerings from titans of the field, like MasterClass and America’s Test Kitchen.

Chocolate-Covered Fruit Bouquet

For the friend who needs to kick back and enjoy the finer things in life, consider sending a chocolate-covered fruit bouquet their way. Or go all out with beautifully curated gift baskets filled with premium chocolates and treats. They’re indulgent, elegant, and guaranteed to impress any sweet-toothed foodie.

These bouquets come with every fruit imaginable, so no matter what fruit your friend prefers, they’re sure to be delighted by the gift. Make it extra special by sending a birthday delivery or surprise gift for another occasion to their workplace. It’ll be a delicious mid-day surprise guaranteed to delight.

Any form of chocolate is a number one gift option for your foodie friend. Why not get some of the sweet delicacies filled with chocolate frosting or rich decadent chocolate cakes from these online cake shops?

Subscription Box

Subscription boxes have exploded in popularity in the past couple of years. There’s no delight like getting a package in the mail — nothing can rival receiving a box full of gourmet treats. Subscription boxes send such a box to customers at specific intervals (such as monthly or quarterly) for a set time (such as six months to one year).

These days, there’s a subscription box for every type of food. Beverages like coffee, tea, and wine are popular options for subscription boxes. However, there are also plenty of recurring packages for dry goods like beans, pasta, and salami. You can even get boxes of specialty foods like mustard, hot sauces, and honey.

Family members like to find packages at Luna’s Confectionery Corner that include unique and delightful candies to share during special occasions. These curated boxes add a sweet touch to celebrations and make for thoughtful, memorable gifts.

Order a subscription box for a foodie friend to continue to delight them regularly, reminding them that you care year-round.

Sponsor a Trip to a Food Festival

Many food festivals themselves have surprisingly low admission fees or are free altogether. However, it can cost quite a bit to travel to the event. Not only that, but it also can be expensive to try specialty foods at the event.

If your foodie friend has been itching to attend a food festival but has been struggling to justify the cost, give them a hand and help pay for part of the trip. If you’re also a big food fan, you could provide transportation and lodging so that your friend can spend all their money on specialty eats.

Cookbooks and Biographies

Your food-loving friends may already be way ahead of the game. For someone who already knows every cafe in the city, who has mastered kitchen protocol decades ago, and who seems to know everything there is to know about food, provide them more knowledge.

When scouting for cookbooks for a foodie, go beyond the basics. With the internet at our fingertips, you can easily find a recipe for anything imaginable. Try looking for cookbooks with specific themes, techniques, history, or personality.

For a foodie interested in the roots of cooking, you can grab a book on the history of African American food. Foodie friends who love cultural delights will appreciate a cookbook on ethnic cuisines such as Vietnamese, Thai, or Greek. For a fan of televised cooking content, get a cookbook written by a celebrity chef.

Many foodies also love biographies of famous and innovative chefs. If you know of an area of interest your friend has, there are bound to be books that can advance their knowledge on the topic.

Choosing the Best Gift For Your Foodie Friends

No matter what, foodies are known for their love for gourmet cuisine. As long as you’re taking the time to think about them and their passions, they’re sure to love any food-related gift you find for them.

From experiences to equipment, you’re sure to make their special day one to remember.

A number of Americans are calling 2022 the year of the road trip. A recent survey showed that more than 80% of participants were planning to hit the road in the next few months, and that they couldn’t wait to explore more of the United States. The US is a fantastic country for landscapes, cities, and most importantly, food! So, get your car ready and head to the following destinations to enjoy the best culinary experiences America has to offer.

I know some of my readers live in Europe where you can also find great food. One of my recommendations is to visit Greece and try Athens food tours where a tasty culinary experience awaits you.

Road Trip Safety

Before embarking on an exciting road trip, it’s important that you do a little bit of pre-trip planning. There are three things you need to check before you set off. Your car, your route, and the weather. Ensure that your car is running perfectly, that you have enough oil, water, and gas, and that your tires are properly pumped up.

However, even if you do all of this just remember that a car can always break down unexpectedly, and you need to prepare for this too. That’s why it’s important to have an idea of how much it’s going to cost you to get your vehicle to a repair shop safely. Towing services generally cost between $75 – $125 based on your location, so be sure this is in your budget. With your car prep ticked off the list, it’s time to plan your route and check the weather, as this can affect your driving time and conditions. Then, it’s time to go!

Sample Seafood in Maine

Maine has become famous for its appreciation of good lobster. If you love seafood, then you’ll be in heaven here. There are an abundance of restaurants and food trucks serving lobster and you just need to know whether you prefer yours with hot butter or cold mayo.

The Historic Barbecue Trail in North Carolina

The North Carolina Barbecue Society Historic Trail has become a staple travel destination for food lovers in America. It includes over 24 stops around the state where you can try different smoked meats and drinks with the locals. Southerners pride themselves on their smoked pulled pork sandwiches, and they’re well worth a drive.

The Wisconsin Cheese Tour

The state of Wisconsin has made sure that its incredible dairy pastures never go to waste by producing some of the most unique and interesting cheeses the United States has to offer. The region produces around 2.8 billion tons of cheese a year. This means that no matter when you visit, there will be a great selection of cheeses to try. Plus, many local eateries offer cheese and wine pairings, making this a foodie road trippers paradise!