Chapter News

Dear WIP Friends,

I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering during my last three years as the President of of the Chicago Chapter of Women in Packaging. What a fabulous time it has been! I wanted to let you know that last week was the last event with the chapter.

I have loved meeting you, learning about your packaging jobs and creating great learning experiences, especially our Green Packaging Summits. Unfortunately, this also marks the end of the Chicago Chapter as we do not have the financial support that we have had from years past. Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided me and hopefully you have gained contacts and expanded your knowledge of packaging.

If you would like to continue to network virtually, get job and/or business referrals from JoAnn Hines and the Women In Packaging organization, please contact her directly @PackagingDiva@aol.com

Please always feel free to contact me, take me out for cappuccino or lunch and I would be happy to continue to network and share my latest ideas on packaging!

Lisa Baer
President
Baer Design Group
Chicago*Detroit
http://www.baerdesign.com/
lisa@baerdesign.com
(D) 847-866-8467

Stimulus Bash from the Chicago Chapters of the Iopp and WIP

Please join us for a networking powerhouse
event to stimulate your network of Chicago
packaging contacts. This is a joint event
hosted by the Chicago Chapter of the Institute
of Packaging Professionals and the Chicago
Chapter of Women in Packaging.

As always, the focus will be on networking and
sharpening our understanding of what drives
the packaging industry. Network with packaging
engineers, packaging designers, packaging
consultants, structural designers, marketing
managers, packaging suppliers and more.

Please join us for this stimulating and rewarding
event on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 for an hors
d’oeuvres spread, cash bar and door prizes from
5:30 – 7:30 pm at Dave and Busters 1155 N Swift
Road, Addison, IL.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Dave and Busters
1155 N Swift Road
Addison, IL (630-543-5151) The cost is $25.00
(Cash or Check)
R.S.V.P. by March 5 to president@ioppchi.org

Bring a colleague or friend and a lot of
business cards... and increase your
chances to stimulate your network and
leave with a door prize!

For more information on the
Chicago Chapter of IOPP visit
www.ioppchi.org
For more information on the
Chicago Chapter of WIP visit
www.womeninpackaging.blogspot.com/

Fresh Sprouts for 2009: Where Is the Growth for Packaging?

“Fresh” may very well be the word for 2009. This year has brought a lot of changes to consumer shopping. With consumer confidence at an all-time low, cooking at home, trying private labels and making more trips to big discounters are just a few of the shifts consumers are making. Scan data from retailers reveal how value is trumping luxury with market growth only happening in superstores like Costco, Wal-Mart and Target. Coupon use is up by 10%.

Even personally, I have been cooking more fresh meals at home—and enjoying it. I have explored new recipes and even baked things like savory, blue cheese crackers. (The recipe came from Heirloom Cooking with the Brass Sisters. This is a fun find, if you are a foodie!)

Along with a dramatic drop in restaurant visits, all these things point to opportunity for ready-to-eat and semi-prepared foods. CPG brands that seize this time to sharpen their packaging to reflect their point of differentiation or even get into a new channel, they will find fresh, new consumers.

To further explore this low-hanging fruit, I have collected a few articles with important insights for the packaging industry in 2009. Enjoy!

The Current Consumer Mindset:

Promotions Get Personal: The Coupon Constituency of Today and Tomorrow (NIELSEN)


Consumer Research: Reason for Relevance (PROGRESSIVE GROCER)


Boomers Caught in Squeeze Play (ADWEEK)


The Nutrition Trend:

Albertsons to Tag Products With Nutrition Information (LA TIMES)

Jewel-Osco to Start Labeling Healthy Foods (CHICAGO TRIBUNE)

Smart Choices Program

Join us for the 2nd Annual Green Packaging Summit!

The Chicago Chapter of Women in Packaging is pleased to present the following industry insiders speaking during a moderated panel discussion on the timely subject of “Green Packaging Reality Check: Real Companies, Real Issues, Sharing Solutions.”

Carla Fantoni
Marketing Manager - Tetra Pak, Inc. U.S.A.

Carla Fantoni serves as Marketing Manager for Tetra Pak U.S.A. She overseas marketing and PR initiatives designed to position Tetra Pak's cartons as the environmental and convenient package alternative for healthy liquid food in the U.S. Carla is well-versed in the area of sustainable food and beverage packaging.

and

Tim Sheehan, the Executive Director of Environment for Pactiv.
Pactiv Corporation is a leader in the consumer and foodservice/food packaging markets it serves. With 2007 sales of $3.3 billion, Pactiv derives more than 80% of its sales from market sectors in which it holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market-share position.

And our moderator,

Christine Smallwood, Director of Business Development for The Greener Package and Packaging World Magazine.

Our dynamic speakers will discuss important trends and share insights on sustainability, green materials and the future of green applications in packaging. This will include addressing the industry as well as their own green approach and wraps up with an audience Q & A.

As always, the focus will be on networking and sharpening our understanding of what drives the packaging industry. Please join us for this stimulating and rewarding experience on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 for socializing and networking over an extensive hors d’oeuvres spread and desserts from 6:30-7:00, followed by a presentation at 7:00.

Location:
The Clubhouse
298 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Cost:
$65 for members
$75 for non-members
Space is limited, please respond early.

RSVP by December 3 with a check payable to:
Baer Design Group
1234 Sherman Ave., #107
Evanston, IL 60202

Questions?
Please email Lisa Baer (lisa@baerdesign.com), Chicago Chapter President, Women in Packaging or call 847-866-8467.

Mars Candy brings Health Facts to the Front Panel

Mars Inc., the family-owned company that produces some of the world's leading candy products, is the first US confectionery company to voluntarily implement Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) nutritional labeling on the front panel of its chocolate, non-chocolate confectionery and other food products.

These new labels, referred to as “What’s Inside,” contain total calorie counts, total fat, saturated fat, sodium and other key nutrition facts aimed at helping consumers make quick choices on the nutritional benefits of their purchase. According to Bob Gamgort, president of Mars North America, these labels are intended to “provide clear, concise and understandable information to consumers about what’s inside all of our products.”

Although many European food companies are already following this trend and disclosing nutritional contents on the front panel of their products, Mars will be the first in the US to adopt this practice.

This bold move by Mars brings up some interesting questions. Such as, who’s buying a chocolate bar for the nutrition? Since most confectionery companies sell the whole candy experience – the nostalgia, the quality of ingredients, or the old-fashioned recipe from which it was made – and not the nutritional value, it remains to be seen whether or not Mars’ action will change eating habits or move more candy sales. Will others in the industry follow? For instance, it’s unlikely that the fashionable, luxury brands like Godiva, Joseph Schmidt or Vosges would start displaying fat content on the front of their box, since it doesn’t fit with their brand message and may kill the culinary experience. Lastly, will U.S consumers care or will this make them buy raisins instead?

Watch for the new Mars packaging in US retail stores in December and more updates to this story on the blog.

Want to read more? Check out some articles at The Progressive Grocer
and NutraIngredients

Die Cuts are the Most Important Part of Breakfast

A recent trip to Whole Foods had me closely examining the cereal aisle to see what stood out. The answer? Die cut boxes for cereal and breakfast bars. These front-panel die cuts, which make the product really pop off the shelf, are part of a packaging trend that appears to be gaining speed. In fact, Dorset Cereals, Back to Nature Cereal, Carman’s Muesli Bars and Honest Foods Granola Planks are all using this packaging style. Product show through works when the product is appetizing and doesn't discolor.

The real trendsetter for packaging is Dorset Cereals, with a beautiful product, great images and simple copy. Their mix of muesli, raisins and other items look beautiful, and their overall visual images and copy are simple, straightforward and leave you feeling happy. Their tagline, "honest, tasty and real" aptly sums up the product, and the keyword "real" connects with consumers.

The Granola Planks from Honest Foods also had great shelf presence, with illustrations that delivered a nice feeling and die cuts that served their purpose well. (By the way, while investigating the packaging, we consumed all of the Granola Planks... and they taste great!)

Refreshing, Retro Packaging Flashback

For some fun on this Friday, here is a look at some cool, refreshing beverages from the sixties and seventies.

Let’s closely examine the yesterday and today design of the Mountain Dew cans and bottles. What a long way the brand has come from the gun-toting mountain man to the now current look. Green glass bottles really limit the colors that work for design purposes but provided a long-lasting brand image.

The type treatment of Mountain Dew is very nice.
Here is the current Mountain Dew bottle. The design edge has moved from the mountains to the x-gamers.

From 1963 we have this SLIM-matesLow Calorie Beverage. This blue and white color scheme really drives home this clinical and dietetic message.

We wrap up with Squirt. Who didn’t love Squirt in the seventies?
The pull-tabs were very difficult to remove and sometimes they were stepped on with bare feet (ouch!) but, a small price for a refreshing beverage!

















Once again, the photos are provided by
Roadside Pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadsidepictures/
And the Creative Commons. http://creativecommons.org/

Get COOL with the USDA

The (COOL) Country of Origin labeling requirements are here for retail food manufacturers and grocery stores. The USDA has finalized the labeling requirements and an interim final rule becomes effective September 30, 2008. This law specifically covers raw muscle cuts of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, goat, perishable agricultural commodities, shellfish, ginseng and some nuts. The law excludes processed, ready-to-eat food items or items produced or packaged before Sept 30, 2008.

What “processed” means is an on-going controversy. Right now, the rule states that any combination of ingredients=a processed item. For example, roasted nuts and mixed vegetables are exempt.

How should food producers address these new labeling requirements on packaging? For design elements, there are no rules for the font, size or color but, it must be legible and in a conspicuous location. Symbols and flags alone are not acceptable. The "Country Of" designation can be made on placards, labels, signs, stickers, twist ties, etc. Simple statements like, “Product of U.S.A.” should cover most applications and there is a provision for labeling multiple countries of origin.

Want to help blend this new regulation with your branding message? For products other than meat, fish and shellfish, you can still use the allure of the hills of California by using the state or regional identification in place of the Product of USA claim.

The rules should be finalized by January, and according to the USDA, the next six months will be an education and outreach phase.

What does this mean for producers, retailers and package designers? In the short term, reading the 47 page regulation, squeezing in some more copy on the packaging and probably more packaging reviews with the USDA office.

Want clarification on this? For the USDA information use the following link
www.usda.gov

For commentary on this regulation, see these links
CU lauds mandatory country of origin labeling

USDA sets interim rules for country of origin labeling

Let us know what you think, give us your feedback with a comment!

Hot, Hot Trends for Summer’s End

This summer has been a hot one. Here are some ideas of the latest trends in packaging.

Long time member, Virginia Price, has a great podcast created by Package Design Magazine, where she talks about the latest trends in tin packaging. Take a listen and learn about some of the reasons behind the emergence of tin in premium packaging.

For the latest trends in food packaging, I was interviewed by Stef Pollack of foodinterviews.com. Read on for some foodie facts and fun.

Dustin Schadt, a past speaker at the Green Packaging Summit, shares a recent article about his company is going green. Spend some time and learn how General Converting Gets Green and Saavy.

If you want the full article in pdf form, please send an email to lisa@baerdesign.com

New Square Milk Jugs: The testers agree it’s a smart choice

As a follow up to last week’s story, we tested the new square milk jugs this morning at our office. When I purchased the jug at Costco, the first thing I noticed was the great price. At $2.59, it’s a good deal!

After reading all the traditional media news stories on this subject, I fully expected to encounter some problems. However, my first impression was a good one. The Rock N’ Pour jug (as it has been named by its developers, Creative Edge) fit in the door of my side-by-side refrigerator. Since it was the July 4th holiday weekend, my fridge was very full and this was a huge plus!

Next, I took it to the office and the square jug also fit nicely in the door of our office refrigerator, highlighting a winning feature of the new design. On to the testing…

Three people from the office and one small 10-year-old girl tested the jug (rather unscientifically) by using it for everyday purposes. We started with a drinking glass and a bowl filled with cereal. Pouring milk as if we were having our breakfast meal at home, we poured the milk and ate cereal. Out of the first four pours, we only had one slight spill (and it wasn’t the kid!). The tester admitted that he would probably spill milk from any jug.

Looking at the overall structural design of the jug, we could see various advantages to this design. These include using less plastic and being able to ship more by shipping them case less (thus reducing delivery trips and fuel costs). If you want to learn more about this packaging, click here for Packaging Digest’s story.

From a designer’s perspective, the design is smart and green. The few adjustments we’d make are to the spout (widening it or adjusting the shape slightly) in order to alleviate some of the minor spilling issues.

We think that this new square milk jug may need some time, but it will probably be around for a long time to come.

New Milk jugs, form over function or retailer over consumer?

Recently, many newspapers and television news outlets have picked up on the new milk jugs found at Costco and Walmart. The caseless shipping of milk has everybody talking. Here are some recent articles that I found on the topic.

From the New York Times
Solution, or Mess? A Milk Jug for Green Earth



From the CBS Evening News
Milk Jug gets a Makeover

From Sustainable is Good
Sam's Club Case-less Milk Jug Packaging

Trick or Treating at the ALL Candy Show in Chicago

It felt like Halloween at the ALL CANDY EXPO last week, except that I didn’t have to wear a costume and it wasn’t cold in McCormick Place!



So, what was hot at this year’s show?

Let’s start with the most fun: Bloomsberry & Co. Chocolate Bars. Their theme is “Think Chocolate” and the bars have witty packaging that attracted everyone!



I met CEO Paul Pruett (see photo above), who talked about how important creativity is to packaging. And it’s obvious with their brand that creativity is a priority. My favorite bars were the “Do these ears make me look fat?” bar and the SMOOCH bar. Love and chocolate always seem to make a perfect match!


Other highlights were Appleheads from Ferrara Pan and the Black&White Kettle Corn from Lesser Evil. The Black&White Kettle Corn has a nice package design and a great natural product inside – they are low fat (See? They really are a lesser evil!) and sweetened with evaporated cane juice and brown rice syrup! Lesser Evil’s simple ingredients and great flavors stood out, and I’ll definitely be a returning customer.



So, what were the real trends that I saw at the show?

I noticed a lot more attention being paid to branding and packaging design, and a higher level of sophistication. More brands are doing a good job of relating their product lines to the main brand.

I also noticed some creative ideas in flavors and cross branding. Jelly Belly gave samples of their new ice cream flavored beans by Cold Stone Creamery™. This Ice Cream Parlor Mix really was tasty!

Overall, how can a (sweet) trade show where you leave with some fresh ideas and a bag of candy be bad?

Green Packaging Summit Postponed

Dear Readers of the Chicago Chapter of WIP Blog,

Due to scheduling conflicts, we regret to inform you that we will be postponing the Green Packaging Summit to better accommodate our attendees and speakers. We regret this deeply and hope to get the summit rescheduled as soon as we can. We have two wonderful speakers lined up with a plethora of great information and fascinating insight to share, so please look out for more information in the future about new dates for the Green Packaging Summit.

Best regards,
Lisa Baer
President, Chicago Chapter of Women in Packaging

Last Call for the Green Packaging Summit!

The Chicago Chapter of Women in Packaging is pleased to present the following industry insiders speaking on the timely subject of “Green Packaging Reality Check: Real Companies, Real Issues, Sharing Solutions.”

Jennifer Saddoris, CPP, of Method Products, Inc.

and

Jennifer Hambell of Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC.


Jennifer Saddoris is a Packaging Development Manager for the Tools and Strategic Partnership business for Method Products.

Jennifer Hambell is an Associate Consultant for Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC. PTIS is a leading management consulting firm with an innovative approach to packaging.

Our dynamic speakers will discuss important trends and share insights on sustainability, green materials and the future of green applications in packaging during a moderated panel. This will include addressing the industry as well as their own green approach.

As always, the focus will be on networking and sharpening our understanding of what drives the packaging industry. Please join us for this stimulating and rewarding experience on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 for socializing and networking over hors d’oeuvres from 6:30-7:30, followed by a presentation at 7:30.

Location:
The Clubhouse
298 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Cost:
$55 for members
$60 for non-members
Space is limited, please respond early.

RSVP by May 30 with a check payable to:
Baer Design Group
1234 Sherman Ave., #107
Evanston, IL 60202

Questions?
Please email Lisa Baer, Chicago Chapter President, Women in Packaging or call 847-866-8467.

Want to know about WIP?
Go to www.womeninpackaging.org.

Chicago WIP’s Very Own Win Ameristar Awards

I stopped by The Packaging Summit on Wednesday and had an opportunity to check out the IOPP's (Insitute of Packaging Professionals) Ameristar award winners. Two notables were Chicago WIP’s own Virginia Price and Planet Canit for their Silver Joe’s coffee tin design and Jennifer Saddoris for Method Products. Jennifer will be on our panel at the Green Packaging Summit!

Here are the superstars!

Silver Joe's Coffee Tin from Planet Canit
Silver Joe's Coffee saw an opportunity to "jolt" the coffee business in an exciting new direction. Thinking past the traditional coffee cylinder, these creative mavericks associated their product with the adventurous Airstream marketplace: upscale, unique, exclusive and inviting. Planet Canit teamed up with Silver Joe's to take the concept into uncharted territory.





Omop Starter Kit from Method Products

Omop, a cool earth-friendly product by Method, utilizes a new molded fiber material technology and is the only premium floor care system that offers a non-toxic, sustainable, compost-able, planet friendly packaging system. This is made from 50% bamboo and 50% recycled paper.

Congrats to all who were a part of these great new products!

Bag Wars: Cute, Plastic, Paper, Cloth, BYOBag?

Like these bags? Red Poppy Bag from Etsy, great patterned bags from Envirosax,
Traders Joe's and Target bags can be found at the TJ and Target stores!

The bag wars have started! Shopping bags, that is. Although paper bags are still offered, Whole Foods Markets has stopped giving customers plastic shopping bags. According to Whole Foods, this “means roughly 100 million plastic bags will be kept out of the environment by the end of 2008.”

Late last year, San Francisco moved to ban plastic bags altogether. It is now illegal in San Fran for large chain supermarkets and pharmacies to provide plastic bags to their customers, although small businesses can still pass them out.

Other cities, like Halifax in Canada, have mixed reviews on getting rid of plastic bags.

Guilt Factor?
Paula Simons of the Edmonton Journal recently wrote about her guilt in continuing to use the plastic shopping bags. “I feel guilty. Like many an addict, I vow to stop. But I keep using those bags.”

Since we all know it’s a great thing for the environment, we’ll all start using different bags… right? So let’s get over the guilt and start talking about the fashion statements we’ll be making with our new bags!

There are several cute bags already out there. The Target bag is, of course, red with a cute graphic. Envirosax also makes adorable bags in great patterned fabrics, and Trader Joe’s has a stylish, functional bag – sturdy, deep and cute to boot!

I started bringing my own resuable bags to the grocery store last year. Added bonus: I found that my cloth bags have such long straps that I can place several bags over my shoulder and save some extra trips out to the car! I made a new habit of leaving them in the car and taking them in with me (most of the time). (They also come in handy, when I just feel the need for a bag!)

Added Bennies
Some stores are giving rebates of 5 to 10 cents for bringing in your own bags. When I shop Whole Foods, they give me 10 cents off for every bag that I bring, and Trader Joe’s enters my name in a raffle for free groceries every time I remember to bring my bags in with me! This does make me feel that the effort is worth it. Every little bit helps.

Meet WIP Member Jen Hambell

Jennifer (Jen) Hambell, an Associate Consultant for Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC, has been a member of Chicago’s chapter of Women in Packaging since the early part of her career.

Read on to find out more about her career in packaging and what brought her to Chicago’s chapter of WIP.

What is your job?
I am an Associate Consultant for Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC. PTIS is a leading management consulting firm with an innovative approach to packaging. Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs looking for packaging implementation, strategy and more.

What are you currently working on?
I am currently supporting a number of initiatives, including new beverage packaging solutions for two major corporations and a multi-client study focusing on specific container trends.

What brought you to Women in Packaging?
I joined Women in Packaging early in my career through my own discovery. The support network and resources were very appealing to me at the time and now I see the Chicago Chapter and organization as a whole growing, without losing focus on the importance of relationships.

What is your favorite package?
It is difficult to identify one favorite package. I am very intrigued by companies such as KTM, focusing on biodegradable packaging while maintaining the same package integrity as polystyrene or other petro chemical based products. I am also keen on PET emulating glass in the beverage categories.

What trends do you see in packaging this year?
Undoubtedly and to no surprise, we are seeing an increase in companies wanting to move down the sustainable path and "do the right thing.” You can build sustainable packaging objectives into any project initiative through lightweight, increased recycled content, etc. The next step is helping the consumer understand the benefits of sustainable packaging without impacting product integrity and cost.

Thanks Jen, we look forward to seeing you on June 3rd and hearing more from you at the Green Packaging Summit.

BPA Issue Creates A Boon For New Solutions

Since my last post on Bisphenol A (BPA), I have been trying to read, watch and keep up on the latest developments on the issue.

My own bottles are sitting in my office, where I left them after I took that photo for the first posting on BPA. I have yet to throw them away. I did go out and buy Sigg aluminum bottles. According to Sigg, the aluminum bottle is lined but is also “FDA approved and independently tested to be taste and scent inert – and resistant to any leaching (0.0%).”

Friends (especially those with children), employees and anyone that knows me seem to have switched, too.

According to the NY Times, Canada has banned only infant bottles made with BPA, although Canada’s major retailers continue to pull all plastic bottles made with the chemical. In the U.S., Wal-Mart has dropped plastic baby bottles made with the chemical. Outdoor retailer REI has dropped bottles containing BPA and are actively promoting “BPA Free Water Bottles.” Nalgene, the water bottle company which made the bottles I was using, is phasing out the Outdoor line of polycarbonate containers that include BPA over the next several months. Nalgene has some BPA free bottles on the market now, too.

The good thing is these issues with BPA are leading to new, innovative ideas. Two smart moms from New York, Kim Maguire and Eileen Walker, have a brand new solution for taking beverages on the road without the BPA chemical. They are called Bevi-Bags, which are drink pouches that you can fill at home and throw in a lunch bag (it’s as easy as pour, zip and sip!).

So what we’ve seen is that the BPA issue has led to changes in my own water bottle habits, the products retailers carry and also led to innovative solutions!

It’s Easy Being Green (And Innovative!) at the Global Food & Style Expo-Chicago

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood for the All Things Organic and the Specialty Food show yesterday.

Green
I found some great green products and packaging worth noting. First up, Glacia Icebox. This product has the best sustainable story and packaging. Basically, it’s Norweigan Arctic Spring water that tastes great – and the packaging is a 5 liter biodegradable box with a spout and a water bib (all are 100% recyclable!). Later in the spring, they will be launching individual Sport Bottles made from plant-based PLA (Polymerized Lactic Acid), a renewable resource. Check them out here! http://www.glacia.co.uk/

Tari Harris Furey of Chet's
Innovative
Next up, we have some innovative design from Chet’s. This is a brand new product with a great story. It’s all in the family business with these folks, who love their peanut butter sauce on top of their ice cream. I must say this was a real treat! Tari Harris and her siblings started bottling this family tradition peanut butter sauce, and are now sharing it with the world. This unique packaging is squeezable, unique and, I suspect, a hot new seller.

Lastly, I found these interesting bottles from Aquadeco. Water goes artsy with Canadian bottled spring water in glass and PET bottles.




A special mention should also go out to Tasty Baby. Founded by Shannan Swanson and Liane Weintraub, this is an organic baby food line with flavor names like, Life’s a Peach and Peas on Earth. They think of babies as mini-superheroes, giving them the power of good nutrition along with fun packaging design.

Happy 1st Anniversary WIP Blog

I don’t usually do gratuitous self-congratulatory posts, but today marks the beginning of my first year of the Chicago Chapter of Women In Packaging Blog.

Since my first post on April 25th, 2007, where we simply promoted local chapter events, things have changed. I was new to blogging at that point and not sure how our members wanted to connect with the blog. Also, not sure how to create, promote and utilize the blog.

Blogger and the Blogger community have been great at directing me to new templates, find stat counters and have access to all the tools that a new blogger may need to present a useful and attractive blog.

Recently, we have been trying to keep up with at least two new posts a week and keep our readers up to date on all things that fabulous women in Chicago packaging should “be in the know” about.

The blog has connected me with some of the most fabulous and successful women in the packaging community. It has allowed me to try a chocolate-bacon candy bar from Vosges, learn even more from The Packaging Diva herself and share my latest findings and new trends with all of you.

Thanks to all who have contributed to our success so far. Thanks to Brad Simpson for his technical advice on creating the blog, thanks to Helen Cho for her superior editing skills, thanks to everyone at Baer Design Group for donating creative and art direction and thanks to you for taking time to read and comment on the blog. If you have suggestions and comments on how to make the blog even better, please send me a note or post a comment!

P.S. And a special thanks to Thema Dean for the great birthday cupcake art!