Choose a larger bag if you expect to use the contents and can portion them yourself; choose smaller packs if you need less or prefer to serve one pack at a time. Let your expected number of portions, preferred fruit types and the label information guide your choice for the festival: more contents does not automatically mean it’s easier to hand out.
You want to buy enough dried fruit without having lots left over afterwards. Compare the net weight of the packs with the quantity you have planned; Jumbo lists standard sultanas in 250 g, 500 g and 750 g bags.
You want to estimate how many portions you can serve and how to store any opened packs. Storage instructions apply to the specific variety they appear on; for example, Jumbo says its 500 g organic sultanas should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
You choose based on the type of fruit, an organic preference or the ingredients in a particular variety. Product pages from Albert Heijn, ALDI and PLUS show why it’s important to check the label of the product you choose, especially when buying a mix.
First decide how much fruit you want to hand out and how much you can portion yourself. Then choose the types of fruit and pack sizes that fit your plans.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who should prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the net weight with the quantity you expect to hand out; also allow for anything that may be left unused. | If I want to buy enough without having lots left over, I’ll match the bag size to my plans. Around 36% of consumers put the amount needed and leftovers first. |
| Portions and serving | Multiply the number of people by the planned amount per person, then divide by the weight of each pack. Remember that you’ll need to portion it yourself. | If I want to hand out equal portions, I need to know how many packs I’ll have to open and divide up. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion planning and a practical way to serve it. |
| Ingredients and preferences | Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety; don’t assume that every product in a mixed range has the same ingredients. | If I want to cater for a particular type of fruit or product preference, I’ll check the label of the variety I’m buying. Around 21% of consumers put ingredients and product preferences first. |
| Choice of fruit | Compare the types of fruit and any information about stones or pits on each product. A fruit mix is not the same as a pack containing only dried fruit. | If I want to offer more than one type, I’ll choose products with clearly stated contents. Around 14% of consumers prioritise a variety of fruit. |
A product range can include different varieties. For example, ALDI’s product page mentions cashew nuts and cranberry and raisin varieties, so a mix does not necessarily contain only dried fruit. Allergen information must also be available when products are sold.
Check the packaging of each variety and keep the relevant information if you make up portions yourself. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what information must be available for prepacked and unpackaged products.
The weight on the pack helps you plan your shopping, but it doesn’t determine how much you want to hand out to each person.
Make a separate portion plan, and don’t treat a larger pack as a reason to offer larger portions.
Albert Heijn’s official category page lists products including unsweetened dried pineapple and fruit and nut combinations.
Jumbo lists standard sultanas in several bag sizes, as well as an organic variety.
Lidl lists dried fruit and a dried fruit mix in its range.
ALDI lists products including 500 g raisins, 500 g apricots and a product range with cranberry and raisin varieties.
PLUS lists Smaakt Blue Thompson organic raisins in a 500 g bag; Smaakt is the product brand.
Dirk’s product listings include dates, apricots, prunes and figs.
This selection includes individual types of dried fruit and an option with pre-portioned packs of raisins.
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The product description suggests enjoying longan as a snack or adding it to tea, soup and porridge.
Net weight: 500 g. Store in a cool, dry place.
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A pack to factor into your plans if you want to offer guava as a separate type of fruit.
Net weight: 180 g. The ingredients list guava (95%), sugar and a preservative.
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The product description lists dragon fruit as an ingredient and suggests it as a snack.
Net weight: 180 g. Store in a cool, dry place.
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A pack to factor into your plans if you want to offer dried soursop as a separate type of fruit.
Net weight: 180 g. The ingredients list soursop, sugar, glucose, citric acid and sodium metabisulphite.
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The product description lists ten snack boxes of 14 g each, so the portions are already individually packed.
The product information says it is suitable for children over 12 months, advises supervision while eating and states that it is not intended for children with swallowing difficulties.
Multiply the expected number of people by the amount you plan to hand out per person, then divide by the weight of each bag; round the number of packs up. As a calculation example, not a serving suggestion: for 40 people at 15 g per person, you’ll need 600 g. That works out as two 500 g bags or one 750 g bag, leaving 400 g or 150 g respectively.
No. The pack weight helps you plan your shopping, but it doesn’t determine how much you want to hand out to each person. Make a separate portion plan for that.
Follow the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen. The product page for Jumbo Organic Sultanas 500 g says to store them in a cool, dry, dark place. A resealable pack is mentioned for an ALDI 200 g product range, but this doesn’t replace the storage instructions for the specific product.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food sold at markets and events must be prepared, sold and stored safely and hygienically. For prepacked products, allergen information appears on the label; for unpackaged products, this information must be available in another way before purchase. You can provide it verbally, but there must be a visible notice telling visitors they can ask for it.
