As Americans continue limiting grocery store runs and cooking at home due to the pandemic, home-delivery meal kit companies are experiencing dramatic growth. New-Jersey based T.H.E.M. (Technical Help in Engineering & Marketing), is stepping up to help small-batch purveyors in the gourmet food industry meet this demand with single-serve packaging that’s perfect for the at-home cooking trend.
Many meal kit companies have doubled their sales and customer subscriptions in recent months, according to Nielsen data. As a leading provider of flexible, single-serve packaging, T.H.E.M. recognizes the need to creatively package a variety of ingredients in each kit. “The current popularity of meal kits creates unique opportunities for the gourmet food industry,” notes CEO and President Neil Kozarsky. “These specialty businesses can get their products in front of a whole new customer segment, reaching far beyond their loyal ‘foodie’ base.”
T.H.E.M. has a history of helping companies utilize single-use packaging. The Jam Stand, a Brooklyn-based company known for its uniquely flavored jams, condiments and spreads, has been a loyal customer since co-owners Jessica Quon and Sabrina Valle appeared on CNBC’s Billion Dollar Buyer. Starring business investor Tilman Fertitta, the reality show features entrepreneurs vying for distribution deals. Though initially impressed with the company’s products, Fertitta could not envision serving 1.5-ounce glass jars of jam to his restaurant customers (knowing 2/3 would be wasted), suggesting that alternative, smaller packaging might win his favor – and a coveted initial order. In searching for the best solution, Quon and Valle turned to T.H.E.M., who initiated trial runs of two popular products using single-serve flexible stick packs. Fertitta was impressed with T.H.E.M.’s packaging solution, offering The Jam Stand a lucrative deal.
T.H.E.M. and The Jam Stand continue working closely together, especially as the meal kit sector explodes. Quon and Valle know that their products have the “it factor” needed to elevate kits from good to great; Once again, T.H.E.M.’s flexible pouch packaging provides the perfect vehicle. Since entering this new market, The Jam Stand’s sales have climbed substantially. In 2019, the 11-year old company had their best year and is on track to triple their business in 2020.
“Now is the ideal time for gourmet food companies to expand their customer base with single-serve packaging,” says Kozarsky. “We are excited to help more companies like The Jam Stand turn their passion and ideas into commercial reality – and ultimately, marketplace success.”
About T.H.E.M.
Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing (T.H.E.M.) was founded in 1973 as one of the first providers of innovative packaging solutions in North America. The company is best known for commercializing Sanko Stick Packaging in the United States. Working in conjunction with select packaging and equipment manufacturers, T.H.E.M. offers a comprehensive array of packaging solutions designed to take brands from initial concept to full-scale national or global production. For more information on T.H.E.M.’s flexible packaging machinery and contract manufacturing services, please visit www.them.net.
