Choosing the Right Produce Tie or Tag: A Guide for Growers

If you’re looking for eco-friendly produce packaging solutions that give high visibility to your produce and brand, produce ties and tags are a phenomenal option.

With room for barcodes, farm logos, and other produce identification details, produce ties and tags help you meet produce labeling requirements and make your brand visible on retail shelves.

This guide will help you identify the best tag or tie based on your produce type, packaging requirements, and branding goals.

1. Understanding Commodity Needs

Produce comes in all shapes and sizes, and with that means each commodity type has unique packaging requirements. Produce ties and tags are ideal fresh cut produce packaging options for commodities that need to be bunched, bundled, or are oddly shaped.

They also come with a sustainability benefit by offering a significant plastic packaging reduction when compared to other common produce packaging types such as plastic overwrap or film.

The guide will cover recommendations for these commodity types: leafy greens, herbs, cabbage, root vegetables, broccoli, celery, asparagus, artichokes, green onions, and exotic fruit. There are many other commodities that can also be tagged with a produce tie or tag.

2. Tag & Tie Options by Produce Type

Each type of produce can benefit from specific tags and ties designed to meet its particular requirements. Here’s our recommendations by commodity type, but other options are also available.

Produce Tie

Also known as produce twist ties, produce ties offer the most economical option for bunching fresh produce. Available in various widths and lengths to handle anything from small herb bunches to large, leafy greens. Printed produce ties can be customized with farm logo and barcode, or select generic options are kept stocked for whenever you’re in a pinch.

BibTies/Flag Ties

With more surface area, Bib Ties and Flag Ties offer a great platform for your logo and product information, making your brand visible to consumers as they browse the produce section. These tags are great for a variety of produce bundles, from larger items like bundles of carrots, leafy lettuce, or root vegetable to something much small such as herbs.

• We recommend either a 2”h x 2”w or 3”h x 2”
• Our new smaller size 2” h x 1.5” w is great for bunched herbs

ElastiTag

Produce growers love having a stretchy elastomer and tag in one piece. ElastiTag is a perfect solution if you have a commodity of slightly variable sizes or bundles.

Common uses and our recommended die shapes are:

• Asparagus and celery: die shape 1829 (2”h x 1.5”w)
• Broccoli: die shape 1854 (2.875”h x 1.375”w)
• Artichokes, green onions, bunched cilantro, or parsley: die shape 2453 (2”h x 1.25”w) or die shape 1863 (2.25”h x 1.5”w)
• Exotic fruit: varies greatly depending on circumference.

PushTag

PushTags, also commonly known as “butt tags”, are ideal for produce with a thick stem or core, such as cabbages, Boston lettuce, or radicchio. They attach easily and securely with a plastic-reduced packaging benefit. Custom printed or available as stock prints for conventional and organic varieties.

• 2.5” h x 1.5”w

Snap-A-Tag

A unique tag that attaches easily onto a rubber band. These tags are commonly found on bunched asparagus or green onions.

This infographic below has all tag/tie size recommendations based on commodity type.

Learn more about our fresh produce packaging options.

3. Importance of Machine Compatibility

Automated tagging can significantly improve efficiency, especially for growers dealing with high volumes. Bedford’s Tag Tyer, for example, automates the tagging process, reducing labor and improving efficiency.

One of the only produce packaging machines of its kind, Tag Tyer applies TagTies to produce bunches in the field or packing shed.

Watch the machine apply TagTies to leeks in a field.

4. Branding and Traceability Features

In today’s market, traceability is essential. Bedford tags and ties come with options for custom barcodes, lot numbers, and farm logos, ensuring that your produce is compliant with traceability standards while making your brand memorable. Ties/tags are water resistant, keeping them looking nice from farm to table.

Conclusion

Choosing the right tag or tie can transform your produce packaging, making it more efficient, brand-aligned, and compliant with industry standards. Whether you’re packaging delicate herbs, hearty greens, or large produce bundles, Bedford offers a variety of high-quality tag and tie options designed to meet the unique needs of each commodity type. With the right choice, your packaging can support both the quality of your produce and the growth of your brand.