“Filling the void” when packaging food items means making sure that the items inside the box are evenly spaced to protect them from being crushed together, and the spaces between them are filled. If the spaces (voids) aren’t filled with packaging material, there will be space for the items inside to move around. This can change the taste and texture of your food and may even cause bacteria from one item to contaminate other foods in the box. This movement of items can also cause impact damage.
Reasons why it is essential to fill the void when packaging food items for delivery include:
In many cases, customers choose to stock up a few extra items of their favourite food items when buying online for home delivery. If this is the case, try to package similar items together and as densely as possible to prevent them moving around and becoming damaged or suffering from fluctuating temperatures, as the same or similar items should all need the same temperature for travelling. Delicate items should also be put on top of heavier items.
If you have containers that are different shapes and sizes, there is a greater risk of impact damage if they are not stacked or packaged properly. It is always best to put the largest items on the bottom where possible, so they provide a base for smaller items on top. Once you have the tightest fit you can, add packaging fillers to close up the spaces between.
If you don’t package your items properly, the consequences can include:
The last thing you want is to disappoint your customers when they cannot enjoy their food the way it was supposed to be because it has been damaged and spoiled in transit. This can result in them losing trust or even taking their business elsewhere.
Not packaging food goods properly before sending with a courier can also result in unnecessary expense because you will have to pay for extra fees and transportation costs for damaged items. This means that you will have wasted money on packaging materials or courier fees, especially if you have to pay the same again to resend replacement items.
If a customer has to throw away food items that were damaged during transit, then this leads to a rise in food waste – bad for your costs as above as you’ll have to replace them, and also bad for the planet!
Things that can be used to fill the void when packaging food items include:
Bubble wrap is an ideal way of filling in the voids because it can be flexed easily to fit into any shape and size of box due to its malleable properties. It is also a good idea to use bubble wrap or peanuts to fill in the voids because they are lightweight and can be placed inside your box without adding a lot of weight.
Backing foam can be cut easily to fit into the shape of your box and will not take up a lot of space or add a lot of extra weight. This helps to protect items that may otherwise touch the sides of the box.
Rolled up newspaper, kraft paper or any type of paper really can be a great packaging filler, as it is lightweight in smaller quantities and helps to cushion against impact damage. It also has a degree of thermal insulation, so can help maintain the temperature inside. It’s also more eco friendly that some solutions like foam or bubble wrap.
Also, don’t forget, your ice packs will act as a packaging filler to a point, as even when melted they still have a degree of cushioning and should be strong enough
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