The grab n’ go market has increased exponentially with the pandemic in all types of dinning outlets from college campus dining halls to restaurants, cruise ships and more. Consider that even before the coronavirus pandemic, the US was generating an estimated 82.2 million tons of packaging and containers annually according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While a bit over half of this was recycled, there was still well over 1/3 of this going into landfills. And now with most inside dining options still closed at the start of 2021, the use of styrofoam and paper carry out containers has skyrocketed and is both an environmental challenge as well as an additional cost to foodservice operators adding one more expense to already strained budgets.
One option is to utilize re-usable to-go containers as a replacement for throw away solutions. The new MyGo™ Containers are the latest innovation in these type of products. While reusable carry-out containers aren’t a new idea, with articles popping up on the internet around 2012, the first application where they caught on was in the college and university food service environment. Keep in mind, adoption wasn’t immediate but, as with all new ideas, there was a group of earl adopters who really believed in the benefits this would have to improving sustainability and reducing waste.
Since it’s been nearly ten years in incubation, you might wonder how a new container could be innovative and what could MyGo have that the others don’t? The most notable difference is the lid design which features a leak resistant gasket. This gasket seals the perimeter of the lid and it also seals off the interior compartments. This benefit to this is that food don’t get mixed up in the containers. If you order chips and salsa as sides to your burrito, that’s what you’ll get – a burrito and if it comes with mole sauce, the sauce is only on your burrito. You’ll also get a side of chips that are still crunchy, a side of salsa that kept to itself, all because the compartments are sealed off.
The MyGo™ Container is also has a great look to it, to be comfortable to handle and to enhance meal preparation. There are six standard colors of translucent polypropylene container and the gasket can be similar to the container color or contrasting for a different aesthetic. These containers can be used for elegant catered meals or work well when put in a backpack for school lunch, even if they are turned sideways accidentally. Along with the gasket, there are three snap-tight tabs to keep the hinged top securely closed during transport and to keep hot foods warm. The durable polypropylene material is microwave safe, dishwashing safe and 100% BPA free. And to reduce storage requirements the containers can be nested when not in use, and they stack for easier transport.
Currently there is a three compartment MyGo™ Container that is 9-3/8” x 9-3/8” x 2-1/2”D. The full line will be available in late spring and includes a variety of sizes for sandwiches to pizza slices along with salad and other three and two compartment designs. Designed with the College and University dining operation in mind, the MyGor™ Containe and gasket can easily be produced in customizable colors. There is also a great spot on the lid for a logo.
The MyGo is available exclusively from Cook’s Direct. If you are interested in learning more about the MyGo™ Container product line you can view the product online or call Cook’s Direct at 800-956-5571 and speak to a territory representative. You can also request a sample container to see the innovative features that MyGo has that aren’t on other reusable to-go containers.
