Innovation in Packaging Design or Function 2009

Outstanding Innovation in Packaging Design or Function 2009: Vervacious Collection

“You have a limited amount of time to catch people’s attention on the shelf,” says Biddeford, Maine’s Vervacious co-owners Mark and Heidi Stanvick. To that end, the packaging of the Vervacious Collection of spices, sauces, teas, cocoas and oils does its job. Stackable glass jars and bottles form a wavy tower that is ideal for gifts or personal home decoration. The clear labels can also be peeled off so you can reuse the jars.

The finished product didn’t come without hurdles. After getting opaque labels manufactured, the Stanvicks decided to go back to the drawing board. “It occurred to us that it’s more attractive to let the product show through on the front panel,” explains Mark. “We wanted it to be eye-catching and appealing to encourage potential customers to look at our product,” adds Heidi.

“The stacking glass is the reason why people pick up the product at first,” says Mark, “but the flavors are what bring customers back.” In fact, the Collection was also named a sofi™ Silver Finalist for this year’s Outstanding Product Line category. The line’s bestseller is the Espresso Balsamic Drizzle which, Heidi says, mimics “the flavors of 10- to 20-year-old Italian balsamics, but at a much lower price point.” The drizzle comprises a blend of balsamics with different flavor characteristics and a shot of espresso that “adds a savory and seductive note that works well on grilled sirloin with gorgonzola or fresh summer strawberries,” Heidi adds.

Like its packaging design, the Vervacious Collection embraces innovation with the use of distinctive ingredients such as those found in its North African Sahara Harissa spice blend. “We include the best materials and we don’t use any preservatives or artificial flavors,” says Heidi. Suggested retail price: Varies. vervacious.com.—D. Marrero