For a busy hand-out, choose chocolate with a number of individually wrapped pieces you can check; for a personal thank-you, the presentation of the box matters too. In either case, check the current packaging for allergen and storage information. If you offer unpackaged chocolate at the stall, allergen information must be available before purchase.
The same selection might make a lovely thank-you gift, but prove awkward if you want to quickly hand one piece to each visitor at the stall. So first decide how you plan to offer the chocolate.
You want to give visitors a piece of chocolate without cutting it up or repackaging it on the spot. Check how many pieces are individually wrapped, rather than looking only at the weight of the box. The merci and Tony's Chocolonely selections described by Jumbo show why this number is useful for comparing products.
For regular customers, volunteers or business contacts, you’ll want a box that feels like a thoughtful gift. Presentation and the choice of flavours matter more here than how quickly you can hand out individual pieces.
You’re choosing chocolate for different people or considering offering it outside its original packaging. Check the current product information and decide in advance how customers will be able to get allergen information if you’re selling individual pieces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has requirements for information about unpackaged food.
Decide whether your main priority is handing out treats quickly, finding a thoughtful thank-you gift or arranging the information you need when serving the chocolate. Each shopper has one need that matters most.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out treats quickly | Compare the number of individually wrapped pieces and check whether the packaging works for handing out one piece per visitor. | When the stall gets busy, I want to hand out a piece without dividing up the chocolate on the spot. For around 40% of these shoppers, handing out treats quickly is the priority. |
| Thank-you gifts and choice of flavours | Look at the gift packaging, the flavours listed and the size of the individual portions. | For a regular customer or volunteer, I’m looking for a thoughtful thank-you gift with a choice of flavours. A well-presented gift is the main reason for around 30% of these shoppers. |
| Allergens and serving | Read the current allergen and storage information; if serving the chocolate unpackaged, decide how customers can access the information before purchase. | When I offer chocolate to a variety of visitors, I want to be able to answer questions about allergens before they buy. For around 30% of these shoppers, this matters most. |
Having more flavours doesn’t mean every recipient can eat every piece. The Celebrations mix described by Jumbo lists milk, peanuts, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other ingredients; the merci and Tony's Chocolonely selections described also need to be checked for allergens.
Read the current packaging and, if you’re giving the chocolate as a personal gift, ask about allergies or preferences if needed.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about the 14 regulated allergens must be available to customers before they buy unpackaged food. So the way you offer chocolate at your stall matters.
Keep the original product information and decide how customers can check the allergen details before you start selling. There are conditions for providing this information verbally.
The weight doesn’t tell you how many pieces you can hand out as they are. For the merci box of 250 g it reviewed, Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped pieces, while its 200 g Tony's Chocolonely box contains 22 individually wrapped Tiny Tony's. These figures apply to these specific boxes.
For each box, compare the number of pieces, portion size and type of packaging.
At a stall, sunlight and warm equipment can affect where you store the chocolate. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends following the instructions on the label; if it says ‘store in a cool, dark place’, choose somewhere cool, dark and dry.
Read the instructions on the packaging and don’t put the boxes next to the fryer or in direct sunlight.
These examples relate to specific selections. If you choose a different box from the same brand, check its contents and label again.
A thank-you gift box of individually wrapped chocolate bars, useful when you want something that works both as a gift and for handing out individual pieces.
A mix of different mini chocolates for an informal sharing occasion, rather than a box containing just one type of chocolate bar.
The brand offers gift selections and personalisation; if you plan to hand out individual pieces, the contents of the box you choose matter most.
These products range from gift boxes to multi-piece chocolate selections for sharing at the stall. If you want to give each visitor one piece, check how many pieces the product contains and how they’re wrapped.
Image unavailable
A gift pack to give as a thank-you. Joybuy describes it as containing six small chocolate bars; check how the bars are wrapped if you plan to hand them out individually.
Image unavailable
Six tubes could be a good choice for sharing. Check the packaging if you want to give each visitor a tube individually.
Image unavailable
A selection of chocolates for sharing or giving as a gift. Before handing them out individually, check the number of pieces and how they’re wrapped; this 385 g version is not the 340 g mix described by Jumbo.
Image unavailable
A compact chocolate collection for a small thank-you gift. If you want to hand out the pieces individually, check how many there are and how they’re wrapped; this isn’t the 250 g merci box discussed above.
Image unavailable
Nine matcha bars for anyone looking to offer a different flavour. Check whether they’re wrapped suitably for handing out individually.
Yes. If you offer chocolate as unpackaged food at your stall, information about the 14 regulated allergens must be available before purchase. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, you can provide it in writing, electronically or verbally under certain conditions; check which method is suitable for the way you’re selling the chocolate.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and choose a spot out of direct sunlight and away from warm equipment. If the label says ‘store in a cool, dark place’, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends somewhere cool, dark and dry.
Food must be prepared, stored and sold safely and hygienically, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Set up your stall practices accordingly and check which requirements apply to the way you offer chocolate, whether packaged or unpackaged.
No. A variety of flavours doesn’t mean the chocolate is suitable for someone with an allergy. The merci, Celebrations and Tony's Chocolonely selections described by Jumbo list different allergens, so always read the current label on the exact box you’re giving or offering.
