First, check what the school allows and which allergens are relevant to the group. Then choose based on the number of portions you need and how you’ll hand them out: individually wrapped biscuits can be handy for a group, while a box of chocolates is better suited to a small thank-you or a supervised handout.
If you’re buying for a class or school fair, you’ll want to know which products are allowed before you buy. Check the allergens too: according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about prepacked products appears on the label.
When there are lots of recipients, it helps to be able to count and hand out portions in advance. Individual packaging can make this easier, but it doesn’t change the allergens in the product.
A box of chocolates can make a nice thank-you for supervisors or volunteers. If you choose an assortment with different flavours, pay particular attention to the allergen information for each product.
First, make sure the product meets the school’s rules. Then compare the number of portions, the packaging and the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Ask which products are allowed and check the allergen information on the current packaging. | If there are allergy rules for the class, I want to know whether I can bring the product before I plan the portions. Around 36% of consumers put this check first. |
| Easy to hand out | Check the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped. | For a handout, I want to be able to count out portions in advance without dividing up loose products. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Enough portions | Compare the stated number of pieces with the expected number of recipients. | If I’m buying for a small group, I want to have enough without lots left over. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Presentation and variety | Decide whether you’re handing out treats or giving a thank-you gift; for chocolate, check the storage instructions too. | For a thank-you, I’d rather choose something nicely presented than packaging designed for a whole class. Around 14% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
A school may have rules about the type or amount of food, or how it can be handed out. VOO explains that schools can set policies on treats.
Before you buy, ask the teacher or school fair organiser which rules apply to this occasion.
A product described as vegan isn’t automatically suitable for someone with an allergy. Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, as described by Albert Heijn, contains wheat and soya, among other ingredients.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging and compare it with the rules for your group.
The weight doesn’t tell you how many individual portions you can hand out. Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits in the 250 g Lotus Biscoff pack; Jumbo lists 22 pralines in the NESTLÉ After Eight Caramel box.
First work out how many people you expect, then compare the stated number of pieces.
Heat can affect how chocolate looks and how easy it is to handle. Jumbo recommends storing the NESTLÉ After Eight Caramel box in a cool, dry place.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose and bear them in mind when transporting it and at the school fair.
Speculoos biscuits in packs for different numbers of recipients.
A chocolate assortment for a thank-you or a small, supervised handout.
A box of caramel pralines for anyone who isn’t looking for a large chocolate assortment.
This selection includes biscuits for a handout and chocolate for smaller portions or a thank-you. Compare the packaging with the number of recipients, and check the label and school rules before you buy.
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A biscuit pack to consider if you’re planning portions for a small group.
The product name states 8 pieces and 200 g. Check how many biscuits you want to give each recipient and read the allergen information on the packaging.
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An option for a chocolate treat, if it fits the school rules and suits the group’s allergy requirements.
The pack states 284 g. Compare the number of pieces to hand out, as shown on the packaging, with the number of recipients.
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A biscuit option if you want to plan the portions you need in advance.
The product name states three 77 g packs. Check how many individual biscuits there are and read the allergen information before buying for a group.
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Milk chocolate biscuits to consider if this type of product fits the school rules.
The pack states 150 g. Check how many portions you can make and read the current allergen information.
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A chocolate collection to consider for a small thank-you, rather than as an obvious choice for treats for a whole class.
The pack states 125 g. If you need individual portions, check the number of chocolates, the allergens and the storage instructions.
Yes. Before you buy, ask what’s allowed at this school fair or for this class. VOO explains that schools can set rules about what pupils may hand out; the organiser can tell you which rules apply to your occasion.
Make sure you know which allergens the biscuits contain, and ask the organiser how you should share this information with buyers when selling them loose. For prepacked products, you can check the allergens on the label, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
No. A vegan description doesn’t replace an allergen check. Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, as described by Albert Heijn, contains wheat and soya, so check the current packaging and the rules for your group.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose and bear the heat in mind during transport. For the NESTLÉ After Eight Caramel box, Jumbo says to store it in a cool, dry place.
