Artisan Food Package And Method Of Manufacture

Abstract

Artisan food packages and methods of packaging are described. The artisan food package includes an artisan food product cut into individualized portions and packaged in a manner to maximize freshness and shelf life. It is further handled and shipped in a way to further protect the product's freshness and shelf life. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the purchaser can receive an artisan food product that is typically only served in bulk quantities. This allows the purchaser to enjoy products that may not be practical to purchase in bulk quantities due to spoilage. Additionally, the systems and methods provide the purchaser with the option to diversify and purchase several different artisan food products in small, individualized portions simultaneously without incurring the significant costs associated with purchasing bulk quantities of all of the artisan food products separately.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artisan meat and cheese package comprising:
 a plurality of artisan food products selected from a group consisting of meats and cheeses;   an inner, transparent sealable packaging surrounding the plurality of artisan food products;   an outer packaging surrounding the inner, transparent sealable packaging; and   a label identifying the manufacturer and a description of the artisan meat and cheese attached to the inner, transparent sealable packaging.   
     
     
         2 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 1  wherein each artisan food product of the plurality is an individual, ready to serve portion. 
     
     
         3 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 1  including a thin sheet of material wrapped around the plurality of artisan food product, the thin sheet of material being comprised of a high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 1  including a disposable utensil and a disposable plate configured to receive the artisan food product. 
     
     
         5 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 1  wherein the inner sealable package is air impermeable. 
     
     
         6 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 1  wherein the outer packaging includes a padded envelope configured to protect the inner packaging. 
     
     
         7 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 1  wherein the outer packaging includes a cushioned lining within a box configured to protect the inner packaging. 
     
     
         8 . The artisan meat and cheese package of  claim 3  wherein the thin sheet of material substantially inhibits aromatic flavor transfer between the plurality of artisan food products and the inner, transparent sealable packaging. 
     
     
         9 . A method of packaging food comprising the steps of:
 dividing a bulk quantity of a first artisan food product selected from a group consisting of meats and cheeses into an individualized portion;   dividing a bulk quantity of a second artisan food product selected from a group consisting of meats and cheeses into an individualized portion;   combining the first and second individualized portions into a ready to serve selection;   wrapping each of the individualized portions in a food safe material to prevent flavor transfer;   packaging the portions in a transparent air impermeable sealable material;   attaching a label to the outside of the transparent air impermeable sealable material identifying the individualized portions within the material; and   packaging the transparent air impermeable sealable material into a durable outer packaging.   
     
     
         10 . The method of packaging food of  claim 9  wherein the individualized portion is sold at a reduced economic cost with respect to the total price of the bulk quantity of artisan food product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of packaging food of  claim 9  wherein the food safe material is high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The method of packaging food of  claim 9  wherein the material can consist of placing the artisan food product onto a first material, placing a second material on top of the artisan food product, and sealing the first material and the second material together. 
     
     
         13 . The method of packaging food of  claim 9  wherein the outer packaging includes a padded envelope for protection of the inner packaging during the shipping of the package. 
     
     
         14 . The method of packaging food of  claim 9  wherein the outer packaging includes a bubble wrap within a box for protection of the inner packaging. 
     
     
         15 . The method of packaging food of  claim 9  wherein the outer packaging provides a means for maintaining a temperature less than 40° Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing an artisan food product package comprising the steps of:
 identifying an artisan food manufacturer;   selecting an artisan food product from the food manufacturer;   purchasing the artisan food product from the manufacturer;   dividing the artisan food product into individualized portions;   selecting one or more individualized portions to form a ready to serve selection;   packaging the ready to serve selection in a transparent air impermeable sealable material;   attaching a label to the transparent air impermeable sealable material, the label identifying the individualized portions within the material;   packaging the transparent air impermeable sealable material into a durable outer packaging;   and shipping the outer packaging to a restaurant or food service operation.   
     
     
         17 . The method of manufacturing an artisan food product package of  claim 16  wherein the artisan food product is selected from a group consisting of meat or cheese. 
     
     
         18 . The method of manufacturing an artisan food product package of  claim 16  wherein the purchased artisan food product is in a bulk quantity substantially larger than the individualized portions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of manufacturing an artisan food product package of  claim 16  wherein the individualized portion can be bought for a reduced economical price with respect to the total price of the bulk quantity of the artisan food product. 
     
     
         20 . The method of manufacturing an artisan food product package of  claim 16  wherein the restaurant or food service operation removes the artisan food product from the material, places the artisan food product on a plate, and serves the artisan food product to a customer.