# Microwavable Vegetable Pouches Libby's Uses a Self-Venting System for Its Steamed Vegetables By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-09-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steamed-vegetables References: [packagingdigest](http://www.packagingdigest.com/packaging-design/libbys-harvests-convenience-with-new-pouch-format-for-veggies-2016-09-15) & [libbys](http://www.libbys.com/) [Libby’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/libby) Fruits and Vegetables recently unveiled a new flexible packaging format so that consumers are now easily able to prepare [steamed vegetables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/del-monte-foods) in a matter of minutes. The all-new [heat-and-serve shelf-stable pouches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merchant-gourmet-meals-in-minutes) can go straight into the microwave, meaning that consumers do not have to transfer the vegetables to a separate container before warming. Once the self-ventilated pouches are ready to be removed from the microwave, consumers can safely grip cool-touch areas on the sides of the pouch and tear the easy-open pouch, without the use of scissors. What's particularly noteworthy about this change in packaging is that Libby's Fruits and Vegetables has canned its products since the 1800s. This new packaging option offers a way to save time and space in the kitchen. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Flexible Packaging Format:** A growing trend in the food industry, flexible packaging formats provide convenience and easy preparation for consumers. - **Heat-and-serve Pouches:** The rise of heat-and-serve pouches in the market offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to provide quick and convenient meal solutions. - **Self-venting System:** The introduction of self-venting systems in microwaveable pouches opens up possibilities for safer and more efficient cooking experiences. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food Packaging:** The food packaging industry can leverage the trend of flexible packaging formats to offer innovative and convenient packaging solutions to consumers. - **Ready-to-eat Meals:** Companies in the ready-to-eat meals industry can capitalize on the heat-and-serve pouch trend by creating and marketing convenient meal options for time-conscious consumers. - **Kitchen Appliances:** The self-venting system trend presents an opportunity for companies in the kitchen appliances industry to develop innovative microwave designs that enhance safety and cooking efficiency. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Frozen Grab-and-Cook Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merchant-gourmet-veg-grains-pouches.md) - [Microwave-Ready Snack Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veggies-made-great-products.md) - [Drain-Free Pouch-Packaged Beans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merchant-gourmet-product.md) - [Convenient Steam-in-Bag Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birds-eye-steamfresh-meals.md) - [High-Quality Microwaveable Rice Pouches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merchant-gourmet-rice-pouches.md) - [Dynamic Carrot Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bolthouse-fresh-foods.md) - [Enchilada Sauce Pouches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enchilada-sauce.md) - [Oxygen Permeable Food Membranes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intellipac-packaging.md) - [Chef-Approved Pouch-Packaged Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merchant-gourmet-pouch-range.md)