Takealong Containers
Classico Partners with reCAP to Encourage Consumers to Reimagine Uses of Atlas Mason Jars
Classico® is passionate about using the finest ingredients to craft Italian-inspired pasta sauces with a taste that’s just like homemade. To retain those rich, authentic flavors, it makes sense that Classico sauces are stored in glass Mason jars just as you would store your own sauces at home. But once your pasta is sauced and your pizza is tossed, what do you do with your leftover Classico sauce Mason jar? In the spirit of Earth Day and beyond, Classico is teaming up with reCAP® to encourage inspiration, passion and creativity for consumers to reimagine their own unique ways of reusing Classico sauce jars.
“Not only do consumers enjoy Classico sauces, but also they’re finding great value in our jars,” said Amber Lynch, Associate Brand Manager. “Classico sauces have always come in Atlas Mason jars but it wasn’t until recently that we saw consumers repurposing our jars for uses ranging from storage containers to drinking glasses, kid-friendly crafts, wedding décor and more. Mason jars are really on-trend right now.”
According to Wall Street Journal, retail sales of Mason jars have recently increased 20 percent, and 100 million more Mason jars were sold in 2012 than ten years prior. What’s more, re-using Mason jars helps contribute to combating the 93 percent of plastics that end up in U.S. landfills.
“Our lids are sustainable and spill-proof and made in the U.S.A.,” said Karen Rzepecki, founder of reCAP. “While the idea began with salad dressing, customers soon proved reCAP lids could be used for much, much more. From storing dry goods like popcorn kernels, rice and candy, to transforming a Mason jar into an ‘on-the-go’ beverage container, customers have discovered endless uses.”
Under Mason Jars Company, the reCAP® brand designs and manufactures caps and accessories that allow people to reuse Mason jars in unique and creative ways. Made in the U.S.A., reCAP® products transform Mason jars into limitless possibilities – from on-the-go drinks and smoothies to pantry storage and organization. Learn more at MasonJars.com.
Travel Mugs: Hot or Cold On-The-Go
The popularity of single serve coffee makers along with the recycle, reuse, reduce renaissance have combined to produce a slew of travel mugs that promise to keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold for even longer.
They are most commonly of the stainless steel vacuum insulation variety with a plethora of looks to appeal to a range of customers from the fashion conscious to the rugged outdoors personality. While they might be offered in different sizes, there is typically a size between 12 to 16 ounces to fit under single serve coffee makers and allow users to brew directly into the to-go mug of their choice. They are usually car cup holder friendly as well, leaving little excuse for a daily disposable coffee cup. The more pricey vacuum insulated models will also keep foods like soup hot for hours, not to mention any other warm drink like tea or hot chocolate. Add to that a lock function for spill-proof transport and the excuses for disposables have virtually eroded – unlike Styrofoam, which never will.
Aladdin Stainless Steel Insulated Mug
Aladdin’s new Stainless Steel Insulated Mug is available in a 12- or 16-ounce size that allows you to simply twist and sip. The easy-to-use swivel lid has a twist tab to open that twists back to close. Double wall insulated stainless steel keep drinks warm and hands cool. Both sizes are car-cup friendly, so you can take them to go. The 12-ounce size is single-serve coffee brewer compatible, allowing you to brew your favorite drinks right into your mug. The Stainless Steel Insulated Mug from Aladdin is dishwasher safe and available in Marina, Fern, Berry, or Tomato colors.
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99
Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Travel Mug and Tea Infuser
The AUTOSEAL travel mug features Contigo’s patented no-spill technology with a lid that’s a snap to clean, along with a removable tea infuser designed specifically for tea enthusiasts on the go. Thermal insulation keeps warm beverages hot for up to five hours with the 16-ounce size, and up to seven hours with the 20-ounce, as well as cold beverages chilled for up to 12 and 18 hours respectively. A new “lock” feature prevents the AUTOSEAL button from accidentally being pushed. The 16-ounce size conveniently fits under most single-serve brewers and in most car cup holders. Contigo’s new on-the-go Tea Infuser fits any AUTOSEAL West Loop travel mug, offering an easy brewing solution for bagged or loose leaf teas.
Suggested Retail Price: 16-ounce $20.99, 20-ounce $24.99, Tea Infuser $9.99
Reduce Divot Insulated Tumbler with Single Cup Brewer Compatibility
Reduce™ presents the 13-ounce Divot Tumbler, a fun and colorful new look for its Fire + Ice collection of insulated beverage bottles. Designed for compatibility with single cup brewers, this trendy tumbler keeps coffee at the perfect serving temperature for up to six hours. It can also keep water, juice and other icy drinks cold. It fits into standard car cup holders, offering the ultimate in hot or cold insulation – whatever your drink of choice. The flip top snaps open and shuts quickly and easily, preventing spills. This reusable tumbler is an eco-friendly alternative to buying costly beverages in disposable packaging that end up in landfills.
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99
Stainless Steel Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Travel Flask by rove
Get high fashion and superior function in this 18-ounce Stainless Steel Travel Flask from the rove® Diamond Collection. The diamond pattern stainless steel exterior lights up any occasion with a high fashion look, while the stainless steel double wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink hot for eight hours, and your cold drinks chilled even longer. A push button locking lid provides sure, sophisticated sipping for this leak-proof, BPA-free and eco-friendly reusable travel flask.
SIGG Thermo Collection
The Thermo collection adheres to SIGG’s sleek Swiss aesthetic and is offered in four sizes and multiple colors. The two smaller size models, .3-liter and .5-liter, come equipped with a tea filter for loose leaf aficionados. The tea filter pops out easily for those who prefer coffee or hot chocolate. The two larger models, .75-liter and 1-liter, have adjoining cups for coffee or soup. The hot/cold bottles are constructed from top quality stainless steel that is odor and taste neutral and will keep your beverage warm for up to eight hours and cool for up to 20 hours.
Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 – $24.99
TWIZZ by neolid
TWIZZ by neolid is an innovative insulated travel mug. Its patented closure system allows TWIZZ to be sealed without a lid because a twisting membrane makes it safe and spill free. Close the TWIZZ with the included straw in it, and you’re ready to go; the straw is tightened and nothing spills around it. Insulated, it will keep your drinks hot for two hours and cold for six hours. TWIZZ has a 12-ounce capacity, is BPA free and available in a range of 19 colors.
Eggplant Insulated Coffee Mug
U•Konserve’s 16-ounce insulated stainless steel coffee cup keeps coffee or tea hot, and iced drinks chilled for hours. The new food-grade silicone lid is durable, heat-resistant, and a healthy alternative to plastic for covering hot beverages. Made from 18/8 stainless steel. Tested BPA free, PVC free, phthalate free and lead free.
Suggested Retail Price: $16.95
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mugs
Made of high quality stainless steel and featuring advanced vacuum insulation technology, the SM-SA Stainless Mugs from Zojirushi keep beverages at the optimum hot or cold temperature for up to six hours. The tight fitted flip-open lid locks to prevent spills, and also helps retain the temperature. With a new lightweight and compact design, the new Stainless Mug takes up minimal space while maximizing capacity. The SM-SA mugs will be available in June with 12, 16 and 20 ounce capacities to quench every size thirst.
Suggested Retail Price: $40/$45/$50 respectively
This story was originally published in the April 2015 issue of Kitchenware News, a publication of Oser Communications Group.
Reduce Debuts Its Largest Fire + Ice Vacuum Food Jar
Every family needs one: the new Reduce™ Vacuum Food Jar 26-Ounce makes family picnics and potluck dinners a breeze since it keeps food hot or cold for up to 8 full hours. The largest Fire + Ice™ Vacuum Food Jar in the Reduce collection, it is sure to become a go-to container to transport soups, chowders, beans, fruit salad and more.
Due to its larger size, the Vacuum Food Jar allows for longer, better temperature retention, an advantage for dishes where food safety is an issue and for long trips. Reduce Fire + Ice technology offers the ultimate in hot and cold insulation, making food transport convenient while reducing energy consumption and costs.
A wide mouth makes for convenient filling, pouring and cleaning, while the lid doubles as a serving cup. Made of 100 percent recyclable stainless steel, this premium container makes it easier to transport tasty dishes without the environmental waste of excess disposable packaging or the danger of glass containers. An airtight lid preserves flavor and prevents messy drips and spills.
Creating an opportunity for add-on sales, the new Vacuum Food Jar 26-Ounce can be combined with the Reduce Vacuum Food Jar 12-Ounce to transport a full ready-to-eat meal of various textures, temperatures and flavors.
BPA free, the Reduce Vacuum Food Jar 26-Ounce is available with a metallic gray, blue, red or stainless steel finish, with a suggested retail price of $17.99. It will be available for shipping May 2015. It is 8 inches tall and 4.3 inches in diameter.
For more information, visit reduceeveryday.com.
Reduce Launches Vacuum Food Jar Sized and Styled for Kids
The new Reduce™ Vacuum Food Jar 10-Ounce expands the line of Fire + Ice vacuum insulated containers with the first offering sized and styled for kids. In bright blue or pink, this colorful, compact jar is spill-proof, lunchbox-friendly, easy to use, and reliably keeps food hot or cold for up to six hours.
The BPA-free Vacuum Food Jar features a 100 percent recyclable stainless steel jar and an attractive new twist-off lid of double-walled polypropylene. It is easy to open and close, yet stays airtight to keep food at the perfect serving temperature and to prevent messy spills.
Parents will appreciate the practicality of this reusable food jar, which eliminates the environmental waste of excess disposable packaging and the danger of glass containers. It fits into standard kids lunch boxes, while making it convenient to put nutritious homemade dishes, such as hot soups and cold fruit salads, on their kids’ menus when they eat at school or away from home.
The Reduce Vacuum Food Jar is 4.9 inches tall and 3.4 inches in diameter. Although designed for kids’ lunch boxes, this multitasking container can also be used for salad dressings or gravies when paired with larger Reduce Food Jars to transport a meal. This versatile jar can also be used for carrying medicines that require temperature control.
The Reduce Vacuum Food Jar 10-Ounce is available in pink or blue, with a suggested retail price of $11.99. It will be available for shipping May 2015.
For more information, visit reduceeveryday.com, or contact sales@basebrands.com.
Evie Bett Luxe Lunch Bags
Vivien Insulated Cooler
Food storage options for the foodie fashionista are finally here. Evie Bett insulated coolers are luxe lunch boxes disguised as chic handbags for all your food transport needs. The lunch bags go beyond a patterned or bright colored exterior, the usual methods of proclaiming a lunch box as something that is different or not entirely boring. Evie Bett bags shirk those means, instead opting to blend seamlessly into a fashion oriented life by taking on the appearance of a handbag that is simply well constructed and classic.
Evie Bett Founder and President Caryn Javinsky realized there was a void in the lunch bag market once she took time off from working in new product development and management for a Fortune 100 company to start a family. After her first child, she found herself carrying around food, snacks and bottles but didn’t like the available options for containing them. The available totes weren’t attractive, didn’t clean well, or didn’t do what they intended to, or sometimes were a combination of those undesirable factors.
“I also just happen to be what I consider a foodie fashionista,” says Javinsky. “Basically, I really felt there was a gap in the market for that, and that there is a large segment of people who would like to have a nice-looking bag that is both functional as well as fashionable. I really did want something special and something that you’d be proud to carry and put on your desk or bring in the break room, take to the gym, take on the subway, or the bus or the train – a mom swinging it off the back of the stroller – whatever your lifestyle might be.”
Ava Insulated Cooler
She settled upon neoprene as the insulating fabric for her lunch bags, a material used for wetsuits that insulates both hot and cold. Neoprene is also machine washable, which was a key feature for Javinsky, since she’d found that with other coolers a spill tended to mean the end of the line for the carrier. The smell of spoiled milk never quite went away, and they never felt as clean as they should, considering they contained food for both her children and herself. From there, she enlisted handbag designers who have worked with handbag heavy hitters like Kate Spade and Rebecca Minkoff to bring the bags to life.
The end result is a collection of bags with exteriors that do not scream “Lunch Bag!” There is gold hardware on one, brushed nickel on another. Some have vegan leather trim or vegan croc trim and detachable shoulder straps. The charcoal and black colors are neutral and timeless. The neoprene lining either detaches by snaps or by a zipper, depending on the bag, and can be used independently from the bag itself if desired. They are all BPA-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free. Diaper bag models are available as well. Javinsky says that customers have even whispered that they use them as a regular handbag with no one the wiser.
The bags have names such as Ava, Lana and Vivien that are inspired by 1950s and 40s movie stars from the era of Javinsky’s grandmothers, the brand’s namesakes. Her grandmother Evie was a traditional grandmother who would send her away from visits with food “Care Packages,” while her grandmother Bett was a dress maker and designer who was always well dressed.
The aim of the Evie Bett line is to add glamour to food carrying, and Javinsky says that her company research has proved that the office lunch crowd to be a large market segment indeed. “What our research has shown is that 83 percent of Americans actually eat lunch at their desks and white collar workers are more likely to carry their lunch or bring food with them. Of that, almost half make over $70,000 a year. So it’s really not just about economics for taking food with you anymore, it’s really about the choices you’re making.”
Lana Insulated Cooler
Javinsky believes that Evie Bett is well suited to the working or on-the-go foodie who is typically concerned about what they are putting in their body and most likely falls into the category of those bringing their own lunch to work. From a retail perspective, Evie Bett can fit into the gift category or round out the coolers selection as a more attractive option for the customer looking for a daily piece to complement their own personal aesthetic. For the average person, the bags just might shift the conversation away from wondering why they are bringing lunch to work to how good-looking the bag is.
“These are unique in that they are like handbags and it’s definitely a fashion statement as well,” says Javinsky. “I think that a lot of retailers haven’t even thought about carrying coolers, and they’re missing that market because their customers are buying them somewhere else – whether it be an organizational store, or a hardware store, or even a department store – there’s a need. It’s something that folks use and need whether they buy it for themselves or they have it bought as a gift for them.”
Evie Bett insulated coolers retail from $29 to $68. For more information, visit www.eviebett.com.
This story was originally published in the March 2015 issue of Kitchenware News, a publication of Oser Communications Group.
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