For restaurants, packaging is not just a method of transporting food. Packaging is a unique opportunity to create a branded experience that tells your customer what you are about. COVID accelerated the growth of delivery and takeaway and many restaurants were not prepared from a packaging standpoint.

This week on Order Up, we’ve brought in a panel of experts on packaging to discuss functionality, safety, and sustainability. Ashley Elzinga, Director of Sustainability & Outreach at Foodservice Packaging Institute, moderated this discussion with Missy Schaaphok, Susan Miles, and Kristine Kinger. We followed this up with an interview with Laura Abshire, Director of Food and Sustainability Policy at the National Restaurant Association.

Listen to learn how to strategize the best packaging for your restaurant.

• (00:14) - Webinar panel
• (01:45) - Recipe For Good
• (05:35) - Shifting to sustainable packaging
• (08:48) - Safety, sanitation, and supply security
• (12:55) - Innovation on pause
• (15:00) - Positive consumer sentiment
• (19:43) - Interview with Laura Abshire
• (21:16) - Packaging and sustainability challenges
• (23:47) - Packaging trends
• (26:40) - Regulations and legislation
• (28:30) - Sustainability initiatives
• (30:30) - Transitioning to a post-COVID era

Take a listen to the full webinar here (passcode: f1u@sZYU): https://restaurant.zoom.us/rec/play/z48esD7EYiJIUQZznBWWamihEEw555zWuwtEhKMHcuGZf4wgAIGAqqRzFiKxx2zX6gsUf9obFAkUHRiU.kTzXnuciObH4lePz

Learn more here: https://restaurant.org/articles/news/brands-talk-pandemic-impact-on-food-packaging

Nothing in this podcast shall be deemed to create or grant any rights to any third parties. Listeners are encouraged to consider the applicability and suitability of the information provided for their own individual circumstances, and the National Restaurant Association cannot warrant the applicability of the information to any particular listener or party. This podcast is not intended to provide medical or legal advice. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, guidance may change as our understanding of unique challenges that COVID-19 poses within each country, state, and locality.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Order Up in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.