CCT in 2024: Revisiting Some of the Top Highlights

This year was filled with notable partnerships, initiatives, and market expansions that elevated and amplified awareness of CCT and the EEASY Lid. As we move closer to 2025, let’s revisit some of the exciting announcements and events from 2024.

CCT Kicks off the New Year at the 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show

CCT kicked off 2024 at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. More than 12,000 retailers, distributers, importers, and investors attended the show, which is aimed at helping pre-qualified buyers in the food and beverage channel discover innovative new products and packaging.

The EEASY Lid drew interest from many leading buyers who were interested in seeing the latest innovation in accessible, sustainable packaging. The CCT team capitalized on this opportunity to network, build new business relationships, and strengthen existing relationships.

The EEASY Lid Makes its Debut in the Western United States

In early February, CCT debuted the EEASY Lid atop Chilau Foods’ line of southern-inspired stew bases at the KeHe Summer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah.

KeHE Distributors, a distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products in North America, hosts this invite-only Summer Show that gives new brands access to exclusive connections and partnerships that expand the reach of their products.

New to the show this year was an Innovation Pavilion, which showcased the 2024 On Trend Award winners – sixteen brands expected to lead upcoming food industry trends. Chilau Foods was the On Trend Award winner in the “For the Pantry” category based on selection criteria that included innovation, ingredients, taste, packaging and salability.

CCT Connects with Key Buyers at the KeHe Holiday Show

The revolutionary EEASY Lid was once again showcased atop Chilau’s Southern-inspired stew and boil base products at the KeHe Holiday Show in June.

The show, which attracted thousands of attendees representing natural food stores, chain and independent grocery stores, and e-commerce retailers, provided the CCT team with additional opportunities to connect with key buyers and increase brand awareness.

The EEASY Lid Hits Store Shelves in the Midwest

In June, Chilau’s products topped with the EEASY Lid became available to customers in more than 250 Meijer stores across the Midwest.

That was great news for shoppers in the region looking for bold, ethnic flavor profiles to spice up meals and accessible packaging that makes meal prep easier and more convenient.

Meijer shoppers in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Kentucky can now purchase Chilau’s products to make their favorite stews and boils without the obstacle of opening a stubborn jar lid.

Spain and Latin America Market Expansion

CCT kept the momentum going in July by announcing a broker partnership that will bring the EEASY Lid to customers in Spain and Latin America.

CCT is partnering with Ur Bofill, a fifth generation packaging expert and founding partner of Vemsa 1857 Packaging Solutions, S.L., to help expand EEASY Lid availability to customers in these markets.

CCT’s partnership with Bofill is welcome news for brands looking for ways to make their products stand out on grocery store shelves in Spain and Latin America. Adopting the EEASY Lid will allow brands in these markets to increase market share among Spanish and Latin American consumers who are seeking more convenient, accessible, and sustainable products.

Peer Reviewed White Paper Finds the EEASY Lid Reduces Jar Removal Torque While Maintaining Sealing Performance

In July, CCT announced the results of a study of the EEASY Lid conducted by Cornell University’s Department of Food Science and published as a peer reviewed white paper in Food Protection trends. The study found that:

• The EEASY Lid delivered a hermetic seal comparable to jars with the standard steel lug closures, meaning the EEASY Lid does not affect sealing performance.
• Removal torque values for jars with the EEASY Lid were 20% to 51% lower than those for standard lids, meaning the jars with the EEASY Lid were easier to open.

The EEASY Lid is widely recognized in the market today as an accessible, safe packaging solution. That market validation is supported by this study, which verifies the ease of opening and sealing performance of the EEASY Lid.

CCT Showcases the EEASY Lid at the Private Label Trade Show

CCT showcased the EEASY Lid at the Private Label Trade Show presented by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) in November.

The record-breaking trade show drew more than 15,000 attendees including retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and other visitors eager to learn about the latest store brand trends and source new and innovative products and packaging.

As the premier event for store brands, the Private Label Trade Show offered an ideal platform to showcase the EEASY Lid and highlight how this packaging innovation can take private label products to the next level.

Looking ahead to 2025, more new partnerships and initiatives will expand availability of the EEASY Lid across the globe. Next year promises to be another exciting year for CCT and the EEASY Lid – we can’t wait for what’s next.