Food Packaging Supplies Checklist: The Small Items
The food packaging supplies that run out mid-service are usually the small ones: napkins, cutlery pouches, wooden stirrers, flat and handle bags, greaseproof sheets and tasting cups. Use the checklist below, grouped by where each item is used (at the counter, in the bag, at the table), and add the missing cartons to the same order as your containers and cups.
Key takeaways
- Containers and cups rarely get forgotten. Napkins, stirrers, bags and sheet paper do, because they sit in a drawer until the last sleeve is gone.
- Check supplies by station: counter, bag-packing and table. Each station has its own short list.
- Every item here is sold by the carton, and each product page shows the carton price and the price per item.
- There is no minimum order, so a carton of stirrers or flat bags can go on the same order as your main stock.
- Items marked for custom print can carry your logo (see custom printing).
Why do small supplies run out first?
Small supplies run out first because nobody counts them. A shelf of clamshells is easy to see going down; a box of stirrers or a stack of greaseproof sheets is not, and it gets left off the order until it is empty.
The fix is a standing checklist that sits next to your main packaging order. When you reorder containers from the takeaway containers range, run down the list below and add whatever is low. For the containers themselves, our guide to buying takeaway containers in bulk covers that side.
What do you need at the counter?
At the counter you need stirrers for hot drinks, napkins for walk-in customers and sheet paper for wrapping or lining. These are the items staff reach for on every order, so they empty fastest.
Counter checklist
- Coffee stirrers. The 140mm Wooden Cutlery – Coffee Stirrer (Carton of 10000) is natural wood, 140x6x1.3mm, at $51.29 per carton or $0.005 each.
- Counter napkins. The Kraft Napkins – Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) are kraft-coloured paper napkins, 300x300mm, at $51.26 per carton or $0.03 each.
- Greaseproof sheets. Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham (Carton of 200) is yellow gingham paper, 190x300mm, at $13.53 per carton or $0.07 each. Use it to wrap a toastie, line a basket or hold a pastry across the counter.
- Tasting cups. The 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) is a natural, unbleached sugarcane cup at $128.23 per carton or $0.06 each. It works for samples at the counter, and it doubles as a portion cup for dressings and sauces.
What goes in the takeaway bag?
In the bag you need a carry bag sized to the order, plus a cutlery pouch and napkin for anyone eating away from home. Keep pouches ready at the packing station so they go in with every meal.
Bag checklist
- Flat bags for small items. The Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) is a brown paper flat bag, 200x200mm, at $8.50 per carton or $0.02 each. Use it for a single pastry, a cookie or a sandwich.
- Handle bags for bigger orders. The Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium (Carton of 250) is recycled paper, 305x305x175mm, at $82.95 per carton or $0.33 each. It suits a multi-container order or a catering drop.
- Cutlery pouches. The Kraft Cutlery – White Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000) is a paper pouch with a napkin, 75x190mm, at $143.72 per carton or $0.14 each. Check the product page for what comes in the pouch, then keep a stack at the packing station so one goes in each bag.
What is needed at the table?
At the table you need a napkin that suits the setting. For dine-in, catering and functions, a larger white napkin looks more finished than a counter napkin.
Table checklist
- Dinner napkins. The Napkins – White 2 ply Quilted Dinner 1/8 GT Fold (Carton of 1000) are white paper napkins, 400x400mm, at $50.79 per carton or $0.05 each. They suit table settings, platters and catered events.
How do the checklist items compare?
All prices below are per carton and per item, as shown on each product page.
| Product | Size / material | Carton qty | Carton price | Price per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140mm Wooden Cutlery – Coffee Stirrer | 140x6x1.3mm, wood | 10000 | $51.29 | $0.005 |
| Kraft Napkins – Quilted Lunch GT Fold | 300x300mm, paper | 2000 | $51.26 | $0.03 |
| Napkins – White 2 ply Quilted Dinner 1/8 GT Fold | 400x400mm, paper | 1000 | $50.79 | $0.05 |
| Kraft Cutlery – White Pouch With Napkin | 75x190mm, paper | 1000 | $143.72 | $0.14 |
| Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat | 200x200mm, paper | 500 | $8.50 | $0.02 |
| Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium | 305x305x175mm, recycled paper | 250 | $82.95 | $0.33 |
| Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham | 190x300mm, paper | 200 | $13.53 | $0.07 |
| 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached | 2oz, sugarcane | 2000 | $128.23 | $0.06 |
Which one should I buy?
Start with the items your venue uses on every order, then add the rest.
- Café with mostly coffee and pastries: the 140mm Wooden Cutlery – Coffee Stirrer (Carton of 10000), the Kraft Napkins – Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) and the Kraft Bag – 2WB Flat (Carton of 500) for pastries.
- Takeaway shop or food truck: the Kraft Cutlery – White Pouch With Napkin (Carton of 1000) for every meal bag, the Kraft Bag – Brown Twisted Handle Takeaway Medium (Carton of 250) for larger orders, and Greaseproof Paper – Yellow Gingham (Carton of 200) for wrapping.
- Caterer or function venue: the Napkins – White 2 ply Quilted Dinner 1/8 GT Fold (Carton of 1000) for table settings and the 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) for tastings and sauce portions.
- Deli, bakery or market stall offering samples: the 2oz Sugarcane Serving Container – Cup Unbleached (Carton of 2000) for tasting cups, plus flat bags for small purchases.
The stirrers, both napkins, the cutlery pouch and the flat bag are available with custom printing on your logo.
What food packaging materials are in the range?
Food packaging materials in the range include paper, recycled paper, wood, sugarcane, corrugated board, aqueous-coated paper, PLA-coated paper and PLA-coated bamboo fibre. Each product page lists its material, size and carton quantity. Here is one example of each beyond the checklist items above:
- Corrugated board: the Corrugated Takeaway Container – Brown Snack Box Large Plain (Carton of 200), 205x106x76mm, at $73.10 per carton or $0.37 each.
- Sugarcane: the 9x6x3 Sugarcane Takeaway Container – Unbleached Clamshell (Carton of 200), 229x152x75mm, at $34.85 per carton or $0.17 each.
- Paper + PLA coated: the PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Lunch Box Extra Large (Carton of 200), 197x140x90mm, at $136.78 per carton or $0.68 each.
- Bamboo fibre + PLA coated: the 4oz PLA Takeaway Container – Coated Bowl (Carton of 1000) at $103.95 per carton or $0.10 each.
- Paper + aqueous coated: the 8oz Aqueous Coated Coffee Cups – Double Wall Art Print (Carton of 500) at $51.00 per carton or $0.10 each.
Can I get food packaging supplies near me?
Orders are delivered to your venue, so the question is how fast cartons arrive. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days regional, so put small items on the same order as your containers before stock gets low. Full delivery rules are on the shipping page.
How does ordering work?
You can order these by the carton with no minimum order, so a single carton of stirrers or bags can be added on its own or with your main stock through quick order. Delivery is metro $35 flat, free on orders over $750; regional $75 flat, free over $1,000. All orders are prepaid online and prices include GST. Unopened full cartons can be returned within 14 days of delivery (customer pays return freight), and damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free.
Setting up or restocking your packaging?
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No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · 14-day returns · Delivery details
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