Who is this choice important for?

Market traders making lots of filled sandwiches

If you want to fill sandwiches quickly, the slices need to suit your fillings and stay intact when served. Test the bread with the fillings you’ll actually be using.

Small Christmas market stalls

If you’re selling smaller quantities or offering a range of breads, a half loaf might suit your plans better. Check how many usable slices it will give you and whether it’s already sliced.

Shoppers looking for wholemeal bread or allergen information

‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. Check the product description, ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf, especially if you need to give this information to customers.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether you want to fill the sandwiches straight away or have the time and oven space to bake the bread and slice it yourself. Then choose the loaf size and check the information on the packaging.

What to consider What to check when buying Especially relevant for
Slice thickness and suitability for fillings Ask about the slice thickness or try one loaf with your chosen fillings. If I need to fill sandwiches quickly behind the stall, I want slices that suit my fillings and don’t tear when served. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.
Wholemeal and allergens Check the product description, ingredients and allergen information for the loaf you’ve chosen. I want to be able to choose a clearly labelled wholemeal loaf and give customers accurate allergen information. This information matters most to around 33% of consumers.
Size and planning Compare the number of usable slices, storage instructions and availability at the shop. If turnout is likely to be low or unpredictable, I don’t want to be left with lots of bread, but I still need to prepare enough portions. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain and wholemeal mean the same thing

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with different types of grain, but it doesn’t have to be made with wholemeal flour.

    If you want to buy wholemeal bread, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and check the ingredients.

  • Assuming ‘medium sliced’ means a standard slice thickness

    Bread may be sold as sliced without the slice thickness necessarily being right for your fillings.

    Ask the shop about the slice thickness, or try one loaf with your planned fillings before placing a larger order.

    Slices that aren’t the right thickness can mean extra slicing or fewer usable portions.

  • Guessing about allergens from the grains and seeds

    Ingredients and potential warnings vary from one loaf to another. A general description such as ‘multigrain’ is no substitute for product information.

    Keep the packaging or available allergen information for your chosen loaf to hand, and don’t claim that a product is allergen-free unless you have evidence for that exact product.

  • Assuming a party loaf is still available

    The previously available Jumbo Partybrood Meergranen is listed on its product page as no longer available online.

    Before market day, check with your chosen shop which bread you can get and what alternative size would work if availability changes.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for multigrain bread, including a half-sized, sliced farmhouse multigrain loaf.

  • The half-sized, sliced loaf is worth considering if you want to compare smaller quantities.
  • This particular loaf is listed as discontinued; check the current range and the label.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists, among other products, a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf, so you can check the product information for a standard-sized loaf.

  • Jumbo Stevig Meergranen lists its ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
  • Check the slice thickness separately; the party loaf previously on offer is no longer available online.

Lidl

Lidl sells oven-fresh bread and publishes an overview of the ingredients and allergens in its range.

  • The overview can help you check the information for oven-fresh bread.
  • Check which multigrain bread is available at your local store and whether it can be sliced.

ALDI

ALDI lists a half-sized farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf described as sliced.

  • The half-sized loaf is worth considering if you need smaller quantities.
  • The description ‘sliced’ doesn’t specify the slice thickness; check the bread and its availability in store.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for Korenlanders Donker meergranen, a whole, sliced round loaf.

  • The product information includes ingredients, allergens and product-specific freezing advice.
  • Check the slice thickness before buying larger quantities.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a fresh bread in a smaller size.

  • A half loaf could suit a stall offering several types of bread.
  • Before buying, check the slice thickness and the latest ingredients and allergen information.

Multigrain bread to slice yourself

These part-baked loaves are suitable for a Christmas market stall where you can defrost and bake the bread before slicing it yourself. They aren’t a substitute for bread that’s ready to fill straight away and already sliced to a medium thickness: allow time for preparation and try out your preferred slice thickness in advance.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

For smaller portions, you can slice these four baguettes yourself after defrosting and baking them. Allow for preparation time and oven space; try out your preferred slice thickness and check the allergen information on the packaging.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

You can portion this 550 g round loaf yourself after defrosting and baking it. According to the product description, leave it to cool for 30 minutes before slicing; check your preferred slice thickness and the allergen information on the packaging in advance.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but it doesn’t have to be made with wholemeal flour. Check the product description and ingredients if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.

How can I get allergen information for unpackaged bread?

Ask the seller before buying or serving the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products, and must be provided to consumers in another way for unpackaged products.

Can I assume all multigrain bread is made with iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume every loaf uses the same salt without checking the product. Brood.net professionals describes agreements on iodised baker’s salt within the baking industry. Check the ingredients list for the bread you choose, and ask the seller for clarification if anything is unclear.

Can I freeze multigrain bread in advance for the Christmas market?

Follow the storage instructions for the exact loaf. PLUS recommends freezing Korenlanders Donker meergranen on the day of purchase and using it within one month; don’t automatically apply this advice to another product.