Though the trend is toward less packaging, 7-11 is going for more -- in a case where the product already comes in its own package. In 27 Dallas locations, the company is test-marketing banana wraps, sealing fresh bananas in plastic in an effort to keep them yellow for a longer period of time.
"Our customers want yellow bananas -- not brown," CEO Joseph DePinto tells USA Today. And since his customers buy 27 million bananas a year, DePinto is trying to figure out how to reposition 7-11 as a fresh food store that doubles as a convenience store.
The packaging, developed by Fresh Del Monte Produce, is said to keep
bananas fresh for five days as opposed to the standard two days. It
looks like a pickle in a pouch
-- but thankfully without the brining liquid. Environmentalists argue
that it's extraneous packaging, while the store counters that it cuts
down on stores' carbon footprint when bananas have to
be delivered less often.
Buried within the story is a mention
that Fresh Del Monte Produce is considering fruit vending machines. That would likely require fruit that could last longer. And suddenly,
it seems like rather than simply moving towards fresh
food inside a convenience store, we're just trying to figure out how
to make fresh food more convenient.
Are we headed for some strange future in which people bring their own banana guards
to 7-11 and receive a discount, like when local coffee shops
knock off 15 cents from your to-go coffee if you bring a travel mug?
[Image via Flickr: pragmagraphr]
Comments (0)