For conference catering, only choose a white loaf once you’ve confirmed that the exact variant is pre-sliced and know its slice thickness or how many slices you’ll get. Labels such as ‘white bread’ or ‘casino loaf’ aren’t enough to tell you this. Also agree the quantity and delivery date, and keep up-to-date allergen information to hand if you’re serving unwrapped sandwiches.
If you’re making lots of similar sandwiches, you’ll want to know in advance whether the bread is sliced and how many slices you’ll get from your chosen variant. A whole loaf, such as the casino white loaf on Albert Heijn’s product page, requires different preparation.
For a conference on a particular date, a standard ordering process isn’t the same as having the required variant and quantity confirmed. Agree the number of loaves, the time and any substitutions directly with the shop or supplier.
Guests must be able to get information about allergens in bread or sandwiches served unwrapped. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority specifically includes catering in this requirement. So keep up-to-date information for both the bread you receive and the fillings you use.
Start with the exact bread variant and the slice you need. Then confirm the order, allergen information, and when you’ll prepare and serve the sandwiches.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slices and portions | For the exact variant, confirm that it’s sliced, as well as the slice thickness or number of slices per loaf. | If you’re making lots of similar sandwiches, you’ll want to plan portions without having to slice every loaf on the day. For around 29% of consumers, evenly sliced bread is the top priority. |
| Order and delivery | Confirm the number of loaves, the collection or delivery time, and what happens if the agreed variant is unavailable. | If your schedule includes a set lunch time, you can’t assume that a product range page is a reservation. That’s why around 24% of consumers prioritise having their order confirmed. |
| Allergen information | Use up-to-date information for both the delivered bread and the fillings, and decide how guests can check it before choosing. | If you’re serving unwrapped sandwiches, you’ll need to know which allergens are present in the ingredients. For around 29% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Serving time | Arrange collection or delivery to fit your preparation schedule, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. | If you’re preparing the bread before lunch, you’ll want to know how to store it until it’s served. For around 18% of consumers, serving time is the most important factor. |
A product name doesn’t automatically tell you how the loaf is sliced. Albert Heijn explicitly describes one casino white loaf as whole; Lidl’s product page lists its white loaf as 800 g, but doesn’t specify the slice thickness.
Make a note of the exact product and confirm before ordering whether it’s sliced, what type of slice you’ll get, and how many loaves can be delivered on your chosen date.
If the slices aren’t as expected, you may need to do extra slicing or adjust your planned portions on the day of the conference.
Albert Heijn warns that ingredient and allergen information can change. The information you give guests should match the bread and fillings you actually serve.
Check the packaging when it arrives and update the allergen information for your sandwiches before guests make their choice.
Ordering online or collecting your shopping doesn’t confirm that the required quantity of a particular slice will be available on your chosen date. Lidl advises customers to contact their local store to discuss ordering options for large quantities of rolls.
Ask your chosen shop or supplier to confirm the variant, quantity, time and arrangements for substitutions.
A last-minute substitution could mean an extra trip or changes to your preparation plans.
These shops are good places to start looking for white bread. For each specific product, check separately whether it’s available medium-sliced for the sandwiches you’re making.
Albert Heijn has product pages for various types of white bread, including casino white loaves and party bread.
Jumbo has an online white bread category and offers delivery or collection as ordering options.
Lidl lists an 800 g white loaf marked ‘in-store only’.
ALDI describes its white bread as a whole tin loaf.
PLUS has a white bread category, as well as a separate 200 g product called ‘PLUS Partybrood wit gesneden’.
Dirk has a bread category that includes white bread, and lists half and whole loaves.
No. Albert Heijn and ALDI also list white loaves labelled as whole. For conference catering, check whether the exact variant is pre-sliced and ask what slice thickness or how many slices to expect.
The information must cover the allergens in the bread and fillings you actually use. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be given allergen information for unpackaged products served as part of catering. Make sure guests can check it before choosing.
You can’t assume this is true of every loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists baker’s salt as a source of added iodine. Check the current label for your chosen variant or ask the supplier which salt was used.
Don’t assume you can. Lidl advises customers to contact their local store about ordering options for large quantities of rolls. For white bread, ask separately whether the store can confirm your variant, slice, quantity and collection time.
