Choose an assortment of sourdough bread with sliced options if presentation and quick preparation are important for your conference lunch. Albert Heijn offers several slicing options, while Jumbo and PLUS describe their rustic sourdough ranges. If collecting the bread around a set serving time is more important, confirm your chosen variety and collection time with the store. If serving unpackaged bread, also check the allergen information for each loaf and filling.
You want to choose bread for sandwiches, lunch platters or a drinks reception. Albert Heijn offers several OerDesem varieties, while Jumbo and PLUS describe their own rustic sourdough ranges for lunch or drinks receptions.
You need to organise collection and preparation around a scheduled break. Jumbo says its sourdough breads cannot be ordered online, Lidl notes that ranges vary between stores, and ALDI’s oven-fresh range is available at stores with an in-store bakery.
You may be serving unpackaged bread or filled rolls. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available for catering provided to consumers. So keep a record of the information for the products you choose.
Before buying the bread, decide how you want to serve it and when you can collect it. Then check the product information and how many usable portions you can get from the loaves you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation and slicing | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether the slices are suitable for sandwiches or a bread platter. | If I’m putting together a lunch platter, I want to know in advance how I can present the bread. For around 31% of consumers, presentation is said to be the main concern. |
| Collection and serving | Confirm the store, collection time and whether you can order your chosen loaves in advance. | When the break is scheduled, I want to collect the bread on time and serve it without much extra preparation; for around 25% of consumers, logistics are said to come first. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Keep the information for each loaf and filling; for cereals containing gluten, note which types of cereal they are. | If I’m serving unpackaged bread, I want to be able to tell guests about the allergens in their roll. Allergen information is said to be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Portions and range | Check the size and number of usable portions per loaf, as well as the exact sourdough variety available at your chosen store. | For a large group, I want to plan enough portions without relying on an unconfirmed sourdough variety. Around 19% of consumers are said to focus mainly on portions and range. |
ALDI describes rustic, freshly baked loaves, but that does not confirm that these varieties are sourdough. Nor does a general bread category confirm the ingredients of an individual product.
Make a note of the exact bread name and check the packaging or product specification before listing it as sourdough on a catering menu.
Lidl says its fresh range varies from store to store. Jumbo also states that its sourdough breads cannot be ordered online.
Agree the variety, quantity and collection time in advance with the store where you plan to collect the bread.
Guests must be able to access information about allergens present in unpackaged bread or filled rolls. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this also applies to catering.
Keep the correct information for each loaf and filling available where the food is served. If you provide the information verbally, make it clearly visible that guests can ask for it.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets a limit for iodine from baker’s salt in bread and bakery products. This does not tell you whether a particular loaf contains iodised baker’s salt.
If iodine is relevant to your catering information, check the packaging or ask for the product specification for the exact variety.
Albert Heijn offers OerDesem and Liefde & Passie OerDesem varieties, including sliced and unsliced bread.
Jumbo describes a rustic sourdough range for occasions including lunch and drinks receptions.
PLUS offers Korenlanders sourdough breads for breakfast, lunch and drinks receptions, including whole loaves and smaller sizes.
Lidl describes bread baked in store and also offers rustic sourdough loaves.
ALDI describes Bakkersgoud and Bakkersgoud Rustiek as ranges of freshly baked bread.
Dirk lists sourdough alongside other types of bread in its bread category.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must also be able to get information about allergens present in food served as part of catering. Provide the information in writing or make it clearly visible that guests can ask for it verbally; for cereals containing gluten, specify which types of cereal are involved.
You can’t assume that every sourdough loaf does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets a limit for iodine from baker’s salt, but this does not confirm what has been used in an individual loaf. Check the packaging or product specification for your chosen variety.
Only if your chosen store can supply or set aside the bread in time and the preparation fits your schedule. Jumbo says its sourdough breads cannot be ordered online, Lidl notes that ranges vary by store, and ALDI’s oven-fresh range is available at stores with an in-store bakery.
Choose sliced sourdough if you want to make uniform sandwiches quickly or set up a buffet. Unsliced bread lets you choose the thickness of the slices, but you’ll need slicing equipment and time to prepare it. Albert Heijn offers both options in its sourdough range.
