For street food vendors and takeaway restaurants, how they pack their food plays an important role in acquiring new customers and keeping a consistent service of regular orders with the existing ones. But, how? The food packaging material they select shows how much they care about hygiene, sophistication, branding, and maintenance of the food quality.
A bowl of soup cannot be packed in a cardboard box as it might leak; similarly, a takeaway cappuccino cannot be packed in a plastic rectangular box as it does not offer the convenience of holding and drinking it. That means as a street food vendor, you need to make sure to opt for the right food packing material, shape, and size when packing the food for takeaway customers.
Want to know about the best food takeaway packaging materials and considerations for your food items? Then, continue reading this blog.
Using The Best Material for Packing Food
Every material has unique characteristics that affect food safety, cost, convenience, and shelf life. Here are a few material options that most business owners employ.
Plastic Packaging
Takeaway businesses frequently use plastic takeaway containers, such as containers, trays, and clamshell packaging, because they are inexpensive, lightweight, and simple to seal. Strong barrier protection is provided by materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to help maintain food freshness and avoid contamination during handling.
Biodegradable material
There are alternative solutions that are renewable and compostable. These can appeal to customers who care about the environment and help reduce packaging waste, but it’s crucial to make sure they can withstand transportation.
Paper and Cardboard
These containers are often grouped and kept at a consistent temperature due to the use of corrugated cardboard. These cardboard takeaway boxes may be flattened for convenient storage next to your counter or kitchen area, and they can be used in conjunction with dividers or plastic wrap to keep products stable and separate during transit.
Key Considerations While Selecting the Best Food Packaging for Your Business
For example, Clamshell-style cartons are the perfect option if you are selling burgers. However, your customers won’t be pleased if you sell ramen noodles in cookie packaging, such as paper bags.
So, here’s what you need to think about:
Food Safety
The safety of the food being served is the top priority for all food vendors. Ensuring that all food and drink packaging is approved for food contact is crucial. You must select disposable food containers after learning more about food safety and protocols in your area.
Effective Presentation
Food packaging supplies can have a significant impact on how your food is presented. A well-presented dish not only attracts customers but also encourages them to snap pictures and post them online.
Eco-Friendly Packaging Replacements
There have been numerous advancements in eco-friendly takeaway packaging solutions due to increased awareness of climate change and the environmental impact of single-use packaging.
Making the move from plastic takeaway containers to paper carrier bags is also quite simple. Cutlery and straws made of plastic are also excellent substitutes.
In addition to being curbside recyclable, recyclable Kraft food boxes also enhance the food’s visual appeal. Since street food packaging is meant to be used just once, switching to recyclable food packaging is crucial.
Sandwich cartons and sauce containers made of plastic are increasingly being replaced by compostable street food packaging made from sugarcane or bioplastics.
Expanding the reach of your brand
One of the best methods to promote your brand is through unique printed takeaway boxes! Although branded packaging has always been crucial for brand awareness, branded food packaging can significantly improve your marketing by showing off food items packed in premium food packaging, useful cutlery, and customized bags on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
Top Packaging Boxes That the Sellers Love
Wondering what works the best for you? Look at these popular options to make a decision.
Freezer and microwave-safe containers
Takeout is typically not eaten all at once. The majority of restaurants serve quantities that are simply too large to eat all at once. Customers refrigerate and reheat their meals later to minimize food wastage in a truly eco-friendly manner. This is why having microwavable packaging that can tolerate extremely high and extremely low temperatures is crucial for many.
Handles for convenient transportation
With boxes with handles at your disposal, your consumers will value how convenient it is for them to transport their takeaway. Additionally, disposable food containers with handles can increase your business’s operating efficiency and convenience. Your delivery drivers won’t have any trouble carrying two of these large boxes at once or stacking them on top of one another.
Food-specific packaging
Selecting the specific packaging according to your menu is completely practical and greaseproof, whether it’s a noodle box, foil takeaway containers, or a kraft soup container.
Control of portions
Every takeout restaurant needs to have pre-measured packaging. It’s an excellent method of portioning out a single dish that isn’t a complete meal. Consider offering a modest portion of tiramisu in a tiny takeaway cup with a wooden spoon and other accessories rather than a large platter.
Transportable packaging
Most customers wish to have a drink, eat a variety of delectably fatty snacks, and be on the go all at once. Rigid cardboard holders should work well if your snack or wrap business wants greaseproof, half-open cartons. But the matter becomes more complicated when it comes to sandwiches. Having a sandwich wedge that can catch all the dripping sandwich juice is useful when you’re on the go.
Tableware
Lack of access to cooking supplies is a common excuse for placing a takeout order. Without a fork or knife, how are your patrons expected to consume your steaks and taters? Additionally, plastic tableware is inadequate because it bends, breaks, and gives the impression that your business is cheap. Reliable tableware is, of course, the ideal, elegant, and environmentally friendly alternative. It goes best with sturdy, microwave-safe plates.
Bottom Line
One of the best ways to connect with your customers is through convenient packaging. They will be happy with your brand if they are happy with your product. Your menu and food packaging should complement each other. Maintain the food’s shape, its proper consistency and temperature, and freshness is essential when packing food for your customers.Therefore, owners of bakeries, restaurants, and street food businesses must choose whether to follow the trends or stick to the tried-and-true methods. At Food Packaging Direct, convenience is the key to successful street food business operation. Explore multiple options from eco-friendly tableware to cold containers for your food trolleys today!
