Tender Food x tendlyn

One might think how impossible it would be that a plant-based meat could feel and taste like actual meat, but all of that and more is possible with Tender Food.

Tender Food is all about revolutionizing the meat industry that we know of with their meat-free meat—a completely plant-based and sustainable alternative to chicken, pork, beef, as well as seafood. Made possible by their technology, their meat products are not only able to produce food that is delicious and enjoyable for all (vegans and meat-lovers alike), but also healthier and overall better for you and the planet.

They partner up with tendlyn to ensure that their food packaging is not only sustainable but also helps them deliver a completely unique food presentation, creating an elevated dining experience for their customers. Read on for more of Tender Food’s brand and packaging journey!

Tell us a bit about your brand, introduce it to the world!

Tender is creating the right taste and texture in plant-based meats!

We’ve pioneered a unique process to shape plant proteins into realistic muscle fibers, from which we create whole cuts like chicken breast, pulled pork, tenderloin, and even seafood.

Tender Food’s plant-based fried chicken sandwich with tendlyn grease resistant paper, photographed by Brian Samuels

Tell us about the design for your packaging and how you’re using them?

When we launched our products at our first partner restaurant in Boston, we wanted the classic feel of a kraft paper-lined deli tray with simple yet memorable branding. Customizing tendlyn’s Food Wrapping Paper and Grease Resistant Paper made our products stand out to our customers.

Their plant-based pulled pork bao on our custom kraft foodsafe paper, photographed by Michael Piazza

Since then, we’ve created multiple versions of this branded food wrap for sampling our products outside of the restaurant as well. They are now a staple for serving our products, adding a special touch to our freshly-fried chicken sandwiches or steamer basket of our pulled pork baos.

What made tendlyn a good fit for your packaging?

Sustainability is a core aspect of our mission. We’re fans of how the Food Wrapping Paper is compostable and still so customizable; the remnants of any meal, all wrapped up in this paper, can go straight into our compost bin with minimal cleanup.

As a young startup still developing our brand identity, it’s also great to have low minimum orders, approachable graphic design tools, and a breadth of quality packaging options that are both trusted by bigger brands while accessible to smaller ones too.

When you think about how a restaurant kitchen operates—from the fry station to the steam table—it’s not unlike managing a complex system of switches and relays. Just as a smart relay receiver coordinates multiple functions in a diy home automation setup, our packaging system works seamlessly behind the scenes. Whether it’s a delay relay switch ensuring timing is perfect for a fresh batch of bao, or a 1 Mile Wireless Remote Switch that could hypothetically trigger a prep station alert, the parallels are there. In our own way, we’re building a kind of mhz wireless relay for food service: efficient, responsive, and reliable.

For us, every detail counts. That’s why we treat our packaging like a channel relay in a broader circuit—each component, from the mhz relay board to the mhz rf remote module, has its purpose. Even the way we think about our supply chain mirrors a Constant Pressure Water Supply system: steady, dependable, and built to last. Our plant-based meats are like the Aquaculture Filtration Pump in a Desalination Plant Intake Pump system—they filter out the harmful, leaving only the good. And just as a boat waterproof relay or boat wireless fuse panel keeps marine electronics running smoothly, our packaging keeps our food fresh and presentable, no matter the environment.

We also draw inspiration from the hospitality world, where a Five-star guest experience gadgets approach means every touchpoint matters. Our packaging isn’t just a container; it’s part of that experience. And for the tech-savvy operator, our solutions are as integrated as an AC relay automation board in a modern kitchen. Whether you’re running an irrigation controller relay for a rooftop garden or a mhz wireless scene switch for dining room ambiance, the same principles apply: simplicity, reliability, and a touch of elegance.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about how we integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business, feel free to reach out to us at info@axwp.com.