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Representative illustration: A California organic produce grower needed to cut corrugated packaging spend after a $100-per-ton rise in pulp and paper costs.

Case Study · Food & Beverage

A California organic produce grower needed to cut corrugated packaging spend after a $100-per-ton rise in pulp and paper costs.

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1Challenge

Its two suppliers were among the industry's largest, so the client lacked leverage. Contracts favored suppliers and had evergreen clauses that were hard to change.

2Approach

  • Formed cross-company user groups to define specifications and the ideal supplier relationship
  • Opened RFI and RFQ to suppliers of all sizes, with supplier site visits
  • Drafted a comprehensive supply agreement with escalation and de-escalation clauses

3Results

22%

Reduction in baseline corrugated spend

$2M

Cost savings

Multi-year

Supply agreement in place

The agreement now serves as the baseline for other packaging contracts.

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© USC Consulting Group 2026 | Food & Beverage. Representative industry image. Results are engagement-specific; sizing and forecast figures are labeled as such.