The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for catering companies, restaurants, and clubs. With parties, gatherings, and end-of-year celebrations in full swing, the demand for foodservice and takeout options skyrockets. 

To make the season successful and stress-free, it’s essential to have the right supplies on hand. Whether it's takeout containers or sanitation items, the right tools can streamline service and keep your business running smoothly.

Here’s a guide to holiday catering and foodservice essentials, designed to help you prepare for the seasonal rush.

❶ Takeout Containers for Every Need

With more customers opting for takeout, delivery, and event catering, having the right containers is critical. Sturdy, leak-proof containers ensure food remains intact and at the right temperature, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing potential complaints.

Essential Takeout Containers:

• Plastic Containers: These are great for a wide array of applications.  Products like Mineral-Filled Polypropylene (MFPP) enhance strength, rigidity, and heat.  MFPP containers are excellent for durability and resistance to moisture, making them a popular choice for packaging hot and oily/saucy foods. Similarly, polypropylene microwavable containers are made of strong and durable plastic.  This allows them to be reusable, dishwasher safe, leak resistant, and stackable.  Suitable for saucy foods such as stir fry, noodles, rice, etc.  Clear plastic PET/R-PET containers have excellent clarity.  They are great for cold temperature foods, desserts, and bakery goods.  PET/R-PET containers tend to lock in freshness longer for grab and go applications where clarity is ideal.
  
  
• Paper Containers: Eco-Friendly, and versatile, paper containers are perfect for various food applications.  Some styles are perfect for takeout food for drier/lightly sauced foods.  While other styles are perfect for grab and go, home meal replacement applications.  *Some paper containers may be microwavable and/or ovenable.  They are often compostable or recyclable, appealing to environmentally conscious customers.
  
  
• Aluminum Foil Containers: From the freezer to the oven aluminum foil containers are perfect for food prep, cooking, storage, and serving.  Aluminum bases are often oven safe for cooking and reheating.  These are the perfect packaging solution for foods items such as takeout meals, left overs, catering dishes.  Perfect for lasagna, meatloaf, pies, pound cakes, etc. 

Tips for Selecting Takeout Containers:

• Choose Leak-Proof Options: Select containers with tight-fitting lids to prevent spills and leaks, especially for liquid-based dishes.
• Consider the Dish’s Temperature Needs: Use foam for hot items, plastic for cold items, and paper for dry items to ensure food quality.
• Prioritize Sustainability: Where possible, offer eco-friendly options, as customers are increasingly mindful of sustainable practices.

❷ Portion Cups & Lids

Portion cups are essential for sauces, dressings, and small sides, providing an easy way to manage quantities and prevent food waste. Portioning sauces and condiments separately also ensures that food items stay fresh and don’t get soggy during transportation.

Suggested Portion Cups:

• 2-4 oz. Portion Cups: Ideal for salad dressings, dips, and condiments.
• Larger Portion Cups (5-6 oz.): Useful for small side dishes or items like coleslaw and fruit salads.

Tips for Portion Cup Usage:

• Stock Lids: Make sure you have matching lids for all portion cup sizes to avoid spills.
• Label for Convenience: If possible, label cups with the sauce or side type for easy identification and to enhance customer experience.

❸ Disposable Cutlery, Napkins & Moist Towelettes

The holidays are all about convenience for customers, and offering disposable cutlery, napkins, and moist towelettes adds value to your service. These items are especially useful for takeout and catering orders, where customers might not have easy access to utensils or napkins.

Essentials to Have on Hand:

• Plastic Cutlery (Forks, Knives, Spoons): Stock a variety of plastic cutlery, especially if your menu includes meals that require different utensils.
• Napkins: Disposable napkins are a must for any takeout or catering order, helping customers keep their hands and surfaces clean.
• Moist Towelettes: Especially helpful for BBQ, wings, or other messy foods, moist towelettes allow customers to clean up easily, enhancing their dining experience.

Tips for Managing Disposable Items:

•  Create Pre-Packed Kits: Consider packing cutlery, napkins, and moist towelettes together in a small bag for easy grab-and-go service.
• Adjust Quantities Based on Order Size: For large catering orders, make sure to include ample napkins and utensils to match the number of servings.

❹ Food Processing Papers & Table Covers

In a busy foodservice setting, food processing papers and table covers provide protection and streamline prep work. Food processing papers can be used for wrapping sandwiches, burgers, and other items, while table covers help keep prep areas clean, reducing cleanup time between orders.

Relevant Supplies:

• Food Processing Papers: Wax and parchment papers are versatile options for wrapping foods, lining trays, and separating items in takeout containers.
• Table Covers: Disposable table covers are a practical choice for quick setups at catered events or temporary workstations. They can protect tables from spills and make cleanup faster at the end of the night.

Tips for Using Food Processing Papers & Table Covers:

• Have a Variety of Paper Types Available: Use wax paper for cold items and parchment paper for hot foods to ensure quality and convenience.
• Use Table Covers for Event Setups: In catering environments, table covers keep stations sanitary and make cleanup easier when transitioning from one event to the next.

❺ Sanitation Supplies to Maintain Cleanliness

In any foodservice operation, especially during the holiday rush, maintaining a clean environment is essential for health and safety. Stocking up on sanitation supplies is crucial to keep surfaces disinfected, hands clean, and trash managed throughout the day.

Must-Have Sanitation Supplies:

• Hand Sanitizers: Provide hand sanitizers in food prep and service areas to encourage good hygiene among staff.
• All-Purpose & Surface Cleaners: Use surface cleaners to wipe down counters, tables, and equipment frequently.
• Trash Bags & Wastebaskets: With an increase in foot traffic, extra wastebaskets and trash bags help keep the space tidy and organized.

Tips for Sanitation:

• Encourage Regular Cleaning: Designate a schedule for staff to sanitize surfaces and change trash bags, especially during peak hours.
• Stock Up Early: The holidays bring a surge in demand, so keep extra sanitation supplies on hand to avoid running out.

A Hectic AND Rewarding Time of Year

The holiday season is a rewarding, but hectic, time for catering businesses, restaurants, and clubs. With an increase in takeout orders, catering requests, and in-house dining, being well-prepared with the right foodservice supplies can make all the difference.

Stocking up on takeout containers, portion cups, disposable cutlery, and sanitation essentials will ensure a smooth and successful holiday season, keeping customers happy and operations running efficiently.

At merchants.ca, we offer all the essential foodservice supplies to help your business navigate the holiday rush with ease. Make this season a success by equipping your team with everything they need for high-quality service, from takeout to event catering. Happy holidays and happy serving!

We have the supplies you need at merchants.ca

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