A couple of weeks ago I announced that I was going to go on a factory tour at Capri Sun. I was a bit “off” with my description. It wasn’t really the factory where the juice drink is made but rather a place where they create prototypes for new drinks. Even though it wasn’t an actual factory, per say, the procedure is pretty much the same except on a larger scale.
I arrived at the Kraft location in Westchester County, New York on a cold, but sunny day. I arrived a bit earlier than the rest of the bloggers on the tour with me so I waited inside a very nice lounge for everyone to arrive.
When everyone arrived we headed of to a meeting room to learn a little more about the history of Capri Sun. Along the way we got to see a bit of the office. It looks like a really nice place to work.
We were greeted in the meeting room with some notepads made out of repurposed Capri Sun packaging. Cool! Plus it gave me a chance to take some notes. My memory is not like it used to be. LOL!
The interesting thing about this visit is that all the official representatives from the brand shared photos and interesting facts about themselves wit the group of bloggers. I think that helped to make them more “approachable” and I think it emphasizes how the brand is all about family. In the past I have done tours where I felt uneasy to be there. That was not the case here. I felt right at home. It didn’t feel like an official tour but more like a group of people hanging out discussing Capri Sun.
Capri Sun was created in Germany by a man name Rudolf Wild back in the late 1960’s. Even back then the juice drink was sold in laminated foil pouches, just like it is today (although the pouch used today is much better). Back then it was called Capri-Sonne. The drink contained nothing but natural ingredients. The first flavor was orange. Capri-Sonne is still sold in Europe under that name.
Here is an interesting fact – Capri Sun (Capri-Sonne) was named for the island of Capri, which is a popular vacation destination for Europeans. The “sun” (sonne) part represents that sunny skies you’ll experience in Capri. It seems only natural that the first flavor would be orange which looks a lot like the sun.
Capri-Sonne came to the United States in the early 80’s. These days Capri Sun offers wholesome varieties made with natural flavors and real fruit juice.
Capri Sun takes pride in the fact that they listen to moms. They really do care what we have to say. When moms voice their opinions Capri Sun takes it to heart. They want to create the ultimate “mom approved” beverage.
In addition we learned some more interesting facts about Capri Sun.
You can fit 14 million pouches of Capri Sun in an Olympic size swimming pool.
The diameter of the moon is 992 million times the diameter of a Capri Sun straw. Who thought to measure that? LOL!
The U.S. alone enjoys almost 5 billion Capri Sun pouches each year – that does not account for the rest of the world. Capri Sun is available in many countries around the world.
Capri Sun is available in several different varieties and flavors. I took photos of the monitor that is why they are not “picture perfect”.
I have teenagers. They enjoy regular Capri Sun drinks but sometimes they feel like its not enough (most especially my son). Capri Sun listened to moms who wanted a drink that older children (and adults) could enjoy. Capri Sun created larger pouches with my favorite feature – a cap that can be resealed. The pouches stand up like regular Capri Sun pouches too.
There is no straw with the larger pouches. You drink out of the opening like you would a bottle of water. You can squeeze the pouch too so you are able to drink the very last drop.
You can see there is a noticeable difference in the size.
While we were learning about the different flavors and varieties we were given the opportunity to try out any (or all) of the flavors and varieties. I stick with Roarin’ Waters. That is my favorite variety. I meant to take home the larger Capri Sun for my kids but I forgot.
After the sampling we were treated to a yummy lunch by Panera in one of the break rooms. Mmm… it was good!
After lunch we were treated to a special surprise – a look at Capri Sun’s latest innovation – Clear Bottom Pouches!
Capri Sun listened to moms who expressed interest in wanting to be able to see exactly what their family was drinking. As you know it’s hard to see inside the pouch. The only one to see what the beverage looked like was to squeeze it into a glass. Now there is no need to do that. You simply need to look at the pouch from the bottom to see what is inside.
Don’t worry… the clear bottom is safe. It has been tested to make sure it doesn’t break or leak under normal use.
I shared a photo of the clear bottom on my blog’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/SheScribes). One of my followers left a comment about how the juice looked gross, and what kind was it. The juice in the photo is fruit juice. Normally when people think of fruit-punch flavored drinks they think bright red. That is due to the artificial coloring. Capri Sun does not use artificial dyes and coloring in it’s fruit drinks. What you see is the natural fruit juice colors.
As a mom I like knowing what my kids are drinking. It makes me feel good knowing they are not drinking a bunch of artificial gunk. Personally I love the clear bottom idea. Kudos to Capri Sun for doing that.
See what others are saying about the clear bottoms with the hashtag #SeetheGoodness.
After we learned about the new Clear Bottom Pouch we headed downstairs to the area where they create prototypes for the brand. Whenever they come up with a new flavor or pouch idea they make up samples in the mini-factory located in the basement. It’s identical to the one where the drinks are made (mass produced), except it’s a smaller scale.
We got to see where they add the ingredients, where it’s pasteurized and miles of pipes it goes through in order to get dispensed into the pouches. We even got to see pouches getting filled, except the ones we saw were filled with air because they were waiting on a part and couldn’t dispense juice. We saw the pouches get sealed and take a water bath too. I didn’t know that all of the pouches are dropped into an ice bath once they are sealed.
We even had the change to fill and seal some Capri Sun pouches too. That liquid is HOT when it goes into the pouches.
We had to wear hair nets too. I’m glad I don’t have a picture of that.
I was unable to take photos inside the factory portion of the tour. I do have one that was provided to me.
After our factory tour we headed into the kitchen to meet with a representative with TerraCycle. TerraCycle turns waste into usable products. One of the brands they work with a lot of Capri Sun. Instead of tossing the empty pouches into the landfills they can be turned into a variety of products from furniture to tote bags.
Factory “rejects” (meaning pouches that are imperfect and were never used) are turned into cool things like tote bags, messenger bags, wallets, backpacks and even fun holiday things like stockings and tree skirts.
Pouches that were used and collected are turned into tiny pellets which are in turn used to create things like picnic tables, flower pots, fences and more.
We were also treated in a fun project. We were able to make tote bags out of Capri Sun bags. It was a lot of fun. I thought it would be hard to do but it wasn’t. All we needed was some empty Capri Sun pouches and duct tape – that’s it!
Duct tape comes in different sizes, colors and designs so the possibilities are endless.
I know it’s not the best picture.
All I used was Capri Sun pouches, black duct tape and pink/black zebra print duct tape and a little Scotch tape. That’s it! It was so easy to do too. Once I knew what I was suppose to do this was super easy to make. I plan on making some fun things with my kids. We’re going to save up our pouches. My son wants to make a wallet and my daughter wants to make her own tote bag.
I’ll have to make another tote and provide readers with step-by-step directions. It’s really easy to do.
Your school or organization can also collect Capri Sun pouches and turn them into TerraCycle for charitable donations. Groups that send in their pouches are known as “Brigades”. A brigade can redeem the pouches for a variety of charitable gifts, or for a payment of $0.01 per point to the non-profit organization or school of their choice. Best of all it keeps the pouches out of the landfills. It’s a win-win situation for all.
Check out some creative ways people created collection spots for the pouches.
For more information about TerraCycle and how your school or organization can get involved visit www.TerraCycle.com.
Alas it was time to leave and head home. I left the Kraft location with a new found appreciation for the fruit drink that I enjoyed as a kid and that my children enjoy today.
I enjoy going “behind the scenes” to see how things are done. I truly believe it does give you a better understanding and appreciation towards the brand or product.
I’ve always enjoyed Capri Sun for it’s flavor and I appreciate that is has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Some varieties contain 25% less sugar than other fruit juice drinks while other varieties contain antioxidant vitamins A, C and E **(SEE FOOTNOTES BELOW).
Capri Sun wants to hear from YOU! You can join their Capri Sun Mom Factor advisory board and let your voice be heard. It’s free to join and you can get access cool content, products and eve win great prizes.
For more information about Capri Sun visit www.CapriSun.com. You can also check them out on their Facebook page. You can also learn more about the Capri Sun Mom Factor program on the Facebook page.
You can also check out the hashtag #CaprSunMom to see what other bloggers who were on the tour had to say about their experience.
Kimberly
*I have partnered with Capri Sun to bring you this experience. Although compensated the opinions expressed are entirely my own and not influenced in any way. I am a long time Capri Sun consumer.
**Capri Sun Original Claim “25% less sugar than leading regular juice drinks” must be accompanied by the following footnote: This product 16g sugars; leading regular juice drinks 22g sugars per 6 fl oz serving.
Capri Sun Super V Fruit and Vegetable Juice Drink Claim “1 combined serving of fruit and vegetables” must be accompanied by the following footnote: Each pouch provides provides ½ cup fruit and vegetable juice, which is one combined serving of fruits and vegetables according to the U.S Dietary Guidelines (3/4 from fruit juice and ¼ from vegetable juice). Be sure to make most of your fruits and vegetables whole fruits and vegetables.
Capri Sun 100% Juice Claim “100% Juice” must be accompanied by the following footnote: Each pouch provides ¾ cup fruit juice, which is 1 ½ servings of fruit according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. As part of a well-balanced diet, eat a variety of fruit every day and be sure to make most of your fruits whole fruit.
David says
I remember blowing into the straw and filling the pouch with air and then having the juice squirt out all over my shirt as a kid.
Pam says
I enjoyed meeting you on the Capri Sun tour. Everyone was so nice and approachable. I learned so much about Capri Sun that I didn’t know even though we are long time consumers too!