Buy catering packaging

In catering, everything revolves around control. Hot food needs to stay hot and cold food needs to stay cold. Orders are stacked, transported in vans and unpacked on location. Choosing the wrong packaging can quickly cause problems.

Lukewarm soup or warm carpaccio means disappointed customers. A leaking tray can ruin an entire order. A box that bends or a label that becomes unreadable creates an unprofessional impression. These are situations you would rather avoid.

You need catering packaging that helps maintain temperature, closes securely and stays sturdy during transport. Here you will find everything for your catering business in one place. From catering boxes to trays, lids and paper bags. Available directly from stock, so you can prepare and deliver your orders without unnecessary stress.

What packaging do you need as a caterer?

No two catering jobs are the same. A drinks box for a Friday afternoon requires different packaging from a hot buffet on location or a business lunch with twenty sandwiches. If you choose the wrong packaging, it quickly shows in the presentation or in how the food arrives. That is why it is important to choose packaging based on the type of dish and the way you work.

Catering boxes

Catering boxes are ideal for sandwiches, appetisers and complete food boxes. The size needs to match what you normally pack. If the box is too small, products are pressed together. If it is too large, everything can slide around during transport. Do you often cater for businesses or events where presentation matters? Boxes with a window are a practical option. Customers can immediately see what is inside without opening the box.

Catering trays (plastic or aluminium)

For larger quantities or buffets, trays are often more practical than boxes. Plastic trays with matching lids provide a neat presentation and help keep everything securely in place. Aluminium trays are particularly useful for hot dishes, as they can go directly into the oven or a hot holding cabinet.

Always make sure the tray and lid fit together properly. A lid that does not close securely can quickly lead to spills in the car.

Palm leaf trays

Palm leaf trays are often chosen for premium events or when presentation is especially important. They have a natural appearance and are suitable for both hot and cold dishes. Keep in mind that they are less suitable when you need to stack large quantities or transport food over longer distances.

Paper bags

The bag may seem like a small detail, but it is not. If it is too small, boxes can tilt. If it is too lightweight, it may tear when carrying several boxes at once. Choose a size that suits your average order rather than just one individual tray.

Meal containers and bowls

For individual portions, meal containers and salad bowls are ideal. For hot dishes, you need a container that stays sturdy and closes securely. For cold dishes, presentation often plays a bigger role. Think not only about what goes inside the packaging, but also about how it will be opened and served.

How do you choose the right catering box or tray?

Always start with what you are actually packing. How many items need to fit inside? Are they individual sandwiches, delicate appetisers or trays containing sauce? And how long will they be in the van before being served?

Choose the right size

Choose a box that is slightly larger than the contents, but not excessively large. You want to prevent sandwiches from being pressed against the lid or garnishes from sticking to it. At the same time, there should not be so much empty space that everything starts sliding around at the first roundabout. Food that fits securely simply stays looking better.

Consider temperature

Temperature is also important. Hot dishes need materials that can withstand heat and retain their shape. Aluminium trays are practical because they retain heat well and can go directly into the oven or hot holding cabinet. Cardboard catering boxes are mainly suitable for cold or lukewarm foods such as sandwiches, wraps or pastries. For salads and cold buffets, plastic trays with well-fitting lids are a practical choice. They close securely and keep everything neatly in place.

Pay attention to stackability

Also consider how the packaging will be stacked. Do several boxes need to be placed on top of each other in the van? Then you need a sturdy base that will not bend. A lid that does not click or close properly may shift just enough during transport to cause damage. Often, you only notice this when unloading.

Think about serving

Finally, think about the moment the food is served. Can the customer open the box easily without disturbing the contents? Can the trays be placed directly on the table or buffet? The fewer steps required on location, the more smoothly you can work.

Choosing the right packaging may seem like a small detail, but it helps prevent problems during transport and ensures your food looks the way you intended when it arrives.

Our materials: what suits your catering business?

No two catering jobs are the same. One day you may deliver lunch boxes to an office, while the next you are preparing a hot buffet on location. The right material can make a real difference. Below you can see what to expect from each material and when it makes sense to use it.

Cardboard (kraft or printed)

Cardboard catering boxes are commonly used for sandwiches, snack trays and complete catering boxes. They are practical, lightweight and easy to stack.

Advantages

• Sturdy for normal use
• Lightweight
• Suitable for custom printing
• Often recyclable when clean

Disadvantages

• Less suitable for heavy or wet dishes
• Not intended to keep food hot for long periods

When should you choose cardboard?

For cold or dry foods such as sandwiches, wraps, pastries or drinks boxes. Cardboard is also a logical choice when presentation is important or when you use custom printed boxes for brand recognition.

Plastic (PET / PP / rPET)

Plastic trays are widely used for salads, cold buffets and dishes where the contents should remain visible.

Advantages

• Good leak resistance
• Transparent lids available
• Sturdy and easy to stack

Disadvantages

• Not plastic-free
• Not compostable

When should you choose plastic?

For cold dishes where you want the contents to remain clearly visible. Plastic is also practical when you need securely fitting lids and extra reliability during transport.

Aluminium

Aluminium trays are especially suitable for hot catering dishes.

Advantages

• Heat-resistant
• Suitable for oven use
• Sturdy during hot transport

Disadvantages

• Not transparent
• Can deform under heavy pressure

When should you choose aluminium?

For hot meals, buffets or dishes that still need to go into the oven or hot holding cabinet on location. Aluminium retains heat well and is practical when food needs to be reheated or kept warm.

Palm leaf

Palm leaf trays are often used for events or premium presentations.

Advantages

• Plastic-free material
• Natural appearance
• Suitable for hot and cold dishes

Disadvantages

• Less suitable for heavy stacking
• Higher purchase price than standard cardboard

When should you choose palm leaf?

For occasions where presentation plays an important role. Think of weddings, drinks receptions or corporate events where the overall appearance matters just as much as the food itself.

Would you like your catering packaging customized?

Custom printed catering boxes help strengthen your brand. Especially for business customers or recurring events, recognisable packaging creates a professional appearance.

Custom printing usually requires a minimum order quantity. We are happy to advise you on the right size, design and application. Practical and straightforward, without unnecessary complexity.

View our page about custom printed disposables to explore the options.

Everything your catering business needs in one place

You need more than catering boxes and trays to keep your catering jobs running smoothly. Think of gloves for hygienic food handling, waste bags for use on location and foil for food preparation in the kitchen.

You can also easily add coffee cups, napkins and additional packaging products to your order. By ordering everything at once, you avoid having to place separate orders with different suppliers.

This keeps your purchasing process organised and allows you to receive everything in one delivery.

Why do caterers order from TakeAware?

We maintain a large stock in our own warehouse in Groningen. This means most products are available directly from stock.

You can order everything from one supplier. From catering boxes and trays to bags and kitchen supplies. This saves you from placing separate orders and reduces administration.

We are happy to help if you are unsure about the right size or material. No sales talk, just practical advice that suits the type of catering jobs you handle.

Not everything in our range is completely plastic-free. However, we continuously look for more sustainable alternatives that also perform well in practice.

Need help choosing the right catering packaging?

Not sure which catering box or tray size is right for you? Feel free to contact us. We are happy to advise you based on the type of food you serve and the way you deliver it.

You can reach us by phone, email or WhatsApp. Prefer to browse first? View the range above and filter by product type, size or material.

Which catering packaging is the best fit for the way you work? We are happy to help you choose a solution you can rely on for every catering job.