Sponsored By

Building the perfect grab & go bundle

The way you package grab & go items in your facility make it easy for customers to enjoy fresh food.

July 14, 2022

4 Min Read

Sponsored by Imperial Dade

Providing your customers with quick and easy access to the food you sell is a great way to keep them satisfied with your business.

Grab-and-go meals are premade and packaged so that your customers can quickly access the meal options your establishment has available.

As people are returning to in-person shopping, this is becoming a popular trend in the foodservice world because your customers can maintain their busy schedules while also having access to quick, easy, and convenient meals. 

When you’re putting together your grab-and-go options for your customers, you’ll likely be thinking about how to best package these items, so they stay fresh until your customers are ready to eat them. Your chosen packaging should also showcase your food when it’s on the shelves and after your customers leave your facility. 

For example, if you prepare a pre-packaged sushi platter for your grab-and-go station, you’re likely arranging the food so that it looks the most appealing to your customers.

If your packaging doesn’t allow them to see the meal, your guests can’t check that the food is prepared fresh and looks good.

The best foodservice packaging solutions for your ready-to-eat foods will have a combination of containers, cutlery, and bags so that the people that enter your facility can quickly decide on a meal and go about their day.

How Should You Package Your Grab and Go Meals?

Grab-and-go foodservice packaging should include everything that your customers need to quickly purchase and enjoy the food items you include on your menu.

When choosing which items to include in your grab-and-go bundle, you will likely want to include products that clearly display everything customers will need to enjoy each food option being offered.

Your grab-and-go packaging bundle should include:

  • Foodservice Containers

  • Cutlery Kits

  • Carryout Bags

These items should be placed near the checkout station so that your customers don’t forget to grab the items they need before they leave your facility. 

Foodservice Containers 

The foodservice containers that you choose to display the fresh food options your business has to offer should both prevent food spoilage and adequately showcase your high-quality products.

Your packaging should be compatible with a wide variety of items on your menu so you can minimize the number of different containers your facility is ordering.

For example, if you prepare both hot and cold foods, your business will benefit from choosing a container that can handle hot temperatures without warping or putting your customers at risk.

When exploring packaging options, there are a lot of different things you should consider, including:

  • Shape

  • Size

  • Material 

  • Cost

  • Sustainability

  • Durability

  • Performance

By considering these things, you will be able to choose foodservice packaging that offers great protection against food spoilage and best presents your food to your customers.

Cutlery Kits

Cutlery kits provide your customers with the items that they need to enjoy your products.

These kits can come complete with cutlery, napkins, and condiments so that your customers leave with everything they need to enjoy their meals.

Another benefit of providing cutlery kits is that they are sealed. Sealed cutlery kits lower the risk of cross-contamination and germ spread since your customers will not be able to touch what they won’t use.

Carryout Bags

Providing your customers with bags will allow them to make large purchases with a way to carry them out of your building. If your business doesn’t have adequate bags, your patrons may be less likely to make multiple purchases.

When choosing the best type of bags to offer to your customers, you should consider whether single-use bags are banned in your area.

If single-use plastic bags have been banned in your area, you will have to look at alternatives including recycled paper, reusable plastic, or compostable bags.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best grab-and-go foodservice packaging for your business will provide you with more customer satisfaction and make the process of choosing their item quick and easy.

When creating your perfect grab-and-go product package, you should consider what your customers need to best enjoy your food items.

Reach out to your business’ food service packaging provider today to learn more about how you can build an effective grab-and-go bundle for your customers.

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News