Packaging design for sustainably produced, environmentally friendly, organic, vegan, handmade, small batch, wholefoods company.

The first product line was based on Mason jars. The logic was stylistic and practical: reasonably light weight, rigid, readily available bases which happened to be embossed with measuring marks. The customer was able to preform the first 2 steps of the recipe within the packaging.

The labels were developed to be as inexpensive and environmentally friendly as possible. Due to concerns about printed label production–the amount of energy used, the material printed on, the eco-hazards of the inks, etc–we opted for simple lazerjet printing on wind-produced, 100% recycled paper. The labels were punched with wholes, then corset tied around the top of the jar with baker's twine made of organic cotton, produced in the United States.

Front of Bean + Caraway Soup with Barley displaying: logo, mission statement, net weight, and production date.

Detail of quart size label including the ingredients list (with organic disclaimer), suggested extras (to take your meal over the edge), and allergen warning language. The production date was applied on the shop floor with a stamp.

Back of quart size packaging including the suggested recipe.

The labels were developed to be as inexpensive and environmentally friendly as possible. Due to concerns about printed label production–the amount of energy used, the material printed on, the eco-hazards of the inks, etc–we opted for simple lazerjet printing on wind-produced, 100% recycled paper. The labels were punched with wholes, then corset tied around the top of the jar with baker's twine made of organic cotton, produced in the United States.

The label itself displays the end of the recipe, the location, Department of Agriculture-required fine print, and web address of the company.

Our spice packets were created as a leave behind for store keepers. Each jelly jar contained a three packets of hand-layered spices, wrapped in a simple printed sleeve indicating the recipe, ingredients, production facility address, packaging date, and allergen warnings. They were grouped in jelly jars equipped with branded stickers. The line was discontinued prior to the development of the website.

Full line up of spice packets with jar and branded sticker.

Front side of Salad Dressing spice sleeve including the logo, dish name, tag line, recipe, and net weight.

Back of spice sleeve displaying: ingredients, allergen disclaimer, distribution info, production facility address, and production date. This line was discontinued prior to the website's development.

Full view of ingredients side.
 

Gradually, pricing concerns forced the product to evolve to a bag basis. We were able to source plasticine bags made of bamboo fiber. Identical in look and feel to plastic, the bags are actually compostable.

Essentially the same label, modified slightly to better fit the dimensions of the bag. Still affixed with a string.

Side of bag label displaying ingredients, suggested extras, allergen warnings, and bag recycling/composting.

Back of bag label with suggested recipe.
 

Tie section for bag label sleeve.