How We Service Family-Run Farms Of All Sizes
At PeriWrap, we work with clients from a diverse range of industries to develop custom packaging that fits each business’ unique needs. In the following case study, we share how we service family farms of all sizes to help them get fresh grassfed beef to their customers’ doorsteps safely every time. Buckle up, it’s a meaty one!
At PeriWrap, we firmly believe no matter the budget, professional and sustainable packaging should be accessible to everyone. We service farms of all sizes, from early-stage start-ups to established shippers. A one to one consultation is the critical first step in our process to help each farm understand what’s required to safely ship their products.
When shipping frozen meat from farms, there are several factors to contend with. Shipping to and from rural locations is more expensive, and these locations often have limited access to dry ice. Further, when farms are just getting started shipping direct to consumers, they can’t afford to buy a lot of packaging products, and because they are farms, sustainability is often a key concern. Equipped with this knowledge, we’ve identified a standard packout for farms to make it easier for early-stage shippers to get started without breaking the bank.
Our standard packout includes our sustainable insulated liners, Therma Bags to extend insulation transit time, and gel packs or other refrigerants like our -12C Ice or Green Glacier Ice to reduce or eliminate the need for dry ice. The thickness of insulation and number of refrigerants used varies based on how many pounds of meat are being shipped. Because shipping is costlier in rural areas, we match our customers with products that meet their needs and are shipped from facilities close to them to stay cost-efficient. We also recommend a heavy-duty master shipping box to ensure the box can withstand the rigors of transit and weight of the products. We’ve proven out standard cube sizes for these boxes to maximize the pack out space and help farms save money on their outbound shipping costs.
Testing is a critical part of our process. We provide each farm with samples and temperature cards and help them with testing to ensure confidence in their shipments. We’ve also introduced many of these early-stage farm startups to branded box sealing tape and custom packaging. With small runs on printed boxes and a low minimum order of one case of tape, these are both great ways for an early-stage shipper to extend their brand without making a big investment. Including a QR code with an offer printed on the box or tape can help younger farms grow their business even more and give a professional branded look.
As a farm’s e-commerce business grows, their packaging needs do as well and we’re there every step of the way to help scale. For example, years ago we helped a small farm get into shipping their meat direct-to-consumer using our gel pack refrigerants. When they were bought out by a larger farm and started shipping more products at a higher volume (around 500 packages a week), they needed a more robust packout. After testing different insulation options, they found our CorrCool liners performed the best, which is often the liner of choice amongst farms because it is curbside recyclable and offers exceptional insulating value as well as cushioned protection. We resized liners and boxes for their new packout and ultimately were able to save them $2 per package using CorrCool instead of a cornstarch liner.
We love working with farms because they share in our values of sustainability and give us the opportunity to listen, problem-solve and provide solutions that benefit a large network of farmers and consumers. When you’re ready to start shipping direct from your farm, or if you’re already doing so and want to elevate your existing packout, we’re here to help.
Reach out for a personalized consultation to get started.