Although food service packaging is often thought of as a way to carry a meal from point A to point B, it actually does much more than that. It’s a direct reflection of your brand and its values. The right packaging demonstrates to customers that you prioritize quality, safety and providing them with a pleasant experience. Whether you run a cafeteria, catering business or grab-and-go cafe, your packaging choices can speak volumes. Read on to learn more about what your food service packaging says about your brand.
You’re Committed to Quality
Before a customer takes the first bite, they’ve likely formed an opinion based on how their food is packaged. Quality packaging doesn’t leak, lose its shape or feel soggy in the customer’s hands. Instead, it keeps meals neat and intact. Customers appreciate when their soup stays in their cup, their sandwich doesn’t get smashed and their order looks as good when they sit down to eat it as it did when it left the kitchen.
Beyond presentation, proper packaging also plays a critical role in protecting food during handling and transport. Food packaging should be sealed correctly and keep food at the right temperature for food safety and to prevent contamination. Even if the food tastes good, the attention to detail when it comes to packaging is what makes all the difference in giving customers the confidence that you care about their health.
You Care About the Details
Packaging isn’t all about functionality—it’s about aesthetics, too. Inconsistent or generic packaging can cause your business to be less memorable. Custom-branded packaging is a powerful way to increase brand awareness. Including your logo and brand colors on your bags, cups and containers helps reinforce your brand to customers. It’s a simple yet effective way to turn your packaging into advertising. More importantly, it creates a cohesive experience for the customer, since what they see in-store matches what they see if they take it home or have it delivered. It ties everything together and tells your customers that you’ve thought through every detail, which strengthens trust and loyalty.
Sustainability Matters to You
More and more customers are paying attention to the environmental impact of their purchases, and this includes how their food is packaged. This makes it more important than ever for food service brands to practice sustainability through eco-friendly packaging. Options like recyclable and compostable containers, plates, cutlery and bags can signal that your brand values sustainability and is making an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
You Focus on Efficiency and Food Safety
Behind the scenes, packaging has a direct effect on your operations. Food storage solutions, like temperature-stable containers, proper labeling and aluminum foil, help streamline your kitchen’s workflow and support high standards of food safety. When ingredients and meals are properly stored, there’s less risk of spoilage and cross-contamination. It also saves time. Your team can prep and pack faster when they work with packaging that is designed for functionality and efficiency. This ties directly into the customer experience, as they’re able to consistently and reliably get their food and trust that it’s safe for them to eat.
Your Packaging Works as Hard as You Do
Every plate of food that leaves your kitchen is a reflection of the work that went into it, and your packaging should work just as hard. Prioritizing food service packaging that’s durable, practical and well-designed speaks for itself in terms of your brand’s values and how hard you work to bring quality food to the customer’s table. It’s about more than carrying your food—it’s about carrying your reputation, too. Packaging that performs well helps your staff work more efficiently and leaves a positive impression on your customers.
Veritiv Pollock helps you deliver food while keeping costs under control through comprehensive food service solutions, like custom-branded packaging, eco-friendly options and expert inventory management. We’re here to help your packaging tell the right story to your customers. Visit our website to learn more about how we can support your food service operation.
