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Best Food Packaging for Corporate Catering


Why Packaging Matters in Corporate Catering

Unlike café takeaway, corporate catering often involves:

  • Delivery to offices and meeting rooms
  • Food being held for short periods before service
  • Shared platters rather than single meals
  • Higher expectations around presentation and sustainability

Poor packaging can lead to leaks, soggy food, crushed items, or an unprofessional appearance — all of which reflect on the caterer.

The right packaging helps you:

  • Maintain food quality and freshness
  • Transport food safely and efficiently
  • Present food neatly for meetings and events
  • Meet client sustainability expectations
Sandwiches, brownies, and coffee  lunch to go, office lunch catering, delivery in lunch room

Packaging Essentials for Light Lunches

Light lunches typically include sandwiches, wraps, salads, sushi, and baked items. These need packaging that protects food without overcomplicating service.

Sandwich & Wrap Packaging

Best option: Rigid or windowed cardboard packaging

  • Keeps sandwiches intact during transport
  • Allows easy identification of contents
  • Looks clean and professional on meeting tables
shared catered lunch of salads and meets in a variety of food packaging

Salads & Cold Lunch Bowls

Best option: PLA-lined bowls with secure lids or clear sho-bowls 

  • Leak-resistant for dressings and sauces
  • Clean, neutral presentation for corporate settings

 

corporate boardroom with coffee, snacks and savouries for a meeting with a catered lunch

Packaging Essentials for Morning Teas

Morning teas often include muffins, slices, pastries, fruit, and hot drinks — typically served as shared platters.

 

Shared Catering Trays & Platters

Best option: Corrugated or cardboard catering trays

  • Easy to open and serve
  • Keeps items organised and presentable
  • Stackable for delivery efficiency
Person delivering hot drinks to boardroom meeting in Auckland

Best option: Insulated cups with secure lids

  • Protects hands and surfaces
  • Prevents spills during transport
  • Maintains temperature

Sustainability Considerations for Corporate Clients

Many corporate customers now expect environmentally responsible packaging.

Unipak’s Green Choice™ range supports this by offering:

  • Sugarcane fibre bowls and plates
  • PLA-lined cardboard containers
  • Compostable or recyclable materials where facilities exist

Tip for caterers: Clearly communicate disposal guidance and packaging materials to clients — this adds value and reduces confusion.


Practical Packaging Tips for Caterers

  • Choose stackable formats to save space during transport
  • Use windowed packaging where visual identification matters
  • Match packaging size closely to portion size to avoid waste
  • Standardise a small range of “hero” SKUs to simplify ordering

     


Why Caterers Choose Unipak

With over 20 years supporting NZ foodservice, Unipak provides:

  • Reliable, fit-for-purpose food packaging
  • Consistent stock and fast dispatch
  • Sustainable options without sacrificing performance
  • Support for caterers, distributors, and large end users

If you’re catering light lunches or morning teas for corporate clients, the right packaging makes all the difference.

Talk to the Unipak team about building a simple, reliable catering packaging range that protects your food, your reputation, and your margins.

 Or explore our Green Choice™ food packaging range online to find the right solution for your next corporate order.