Which canteens is this for?

Teams that want lunch to make an impression

For canteens serving filled rolls or lunch platters and choosing a rustic crust, sourdough or seeds with care. Plan purchasing and serving around how fresh you want the bread to be.

Canteens serving lunch quickly

For buyers looking for bread that’s easy to fill and serve in portions. Check how it’s sliced and whether it’s available at the branch where you’ll be shopping.

Canteens catering for a range of guests

For organisations that want to offer a wholemeal option alongside white bread and need to inform guests about allergens before purchase when food is served unpackaged.

What should you consider when choosing?

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Allergen information Check the latest allergen information for both the bread and the filling. If serving food unpackaged, make sure guests can get this information before buying. When serving unpackaged rolls, I want guests to be able to check which allergens they contain before choosing. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers.
Crust and presentation Compare the crust and how easy the bread is to slice with the fillings and serving style you have in mind. For a lunch that looks as good as it tastes, I look for bread with a crust and texture that suit the menu. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this kind of presentation.
Service and availability Confirm the branch’s range and ordering method. Check that the slices and portion-by-portion storage are suitable for daily service. When lunch needs to be ready on time every working day, I want to be able to buy and portion the bread without relying on uncertain in-store stock. This predictability is the main concern for around 26% of consumers.
Nutrition and choice Compare the fibre per 100 g and the product description. Make sure a wholemeal option is easy to identify alongside the white bread. For a regular lunch service, I want to offer guests more than rustic-looking white bread: I also want to give them a wholemeal option. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this choice on the menu.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking rustic bread for wholemeal

    Sourdough, seeds and a firm crust don’t automatically make white bread wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

    Read the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g if it’s relevant to your menu. Offer a clearly labelled wholemeal option alongside the white bread.

  • Assuming every branch stocks the same products

    Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online. PLUS shows availability for the selected store, while Lidl notes that its fresh range can vary from branch to branch.

    Before planning your menu, check with the branch you intend to use to see which varieties and sliced options are available and how to place an order.

    If a variety isn’t available locally, you may need to shop elsewhere or adjust the menu.

  • Checking only the bread label

    For unpackaged filled rolls, allergen information must cover the filling too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available to guests before purchase.

    Keep information for the bread, fillings and filled rolls up to date. If guests need to ask for the information verbally, make it clear that they can do so.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH Vloerbrood wit heel reviewed here is a white wheat loaf for anyone looking to serve a hearth-baked loaf at lunchtime.

  • Albert Heijn describes the bread as baked directly on the oven floor, with a slightly firmer texture and a crisp crust.
  • Albert Heijn says this product is available in-store only. Check the latest label for ingredients and allergens, including milk, wheat and soya.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells rustic sourdough loaves, including white varieties with sunflower seeds, durum wheat and spelt.

  • Jumbo says its sourdough loaves are made with fresh sourdough starter and left to prove for more than 24 hours.
  • Jumbo says this range is available in its stores only and can’t be ordered online. You’ll therefore need to plan a suitable shopping trip.

PLUS

The PLUS Beiers Vloerbrood wit half reviewed here is a white multigrain option to compare with other white breads.

  • PLUS lists 3 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
  • Availability shown depends on the PLUS store selected. Check the latest ingredient and allergen information too.

Dirk

According to Dirk, Bakker van der Akker Vloerbrood zonnepit is a white hearth loaf with sunflower seeds, suitable for breakfast or lunch.

  • The sunflower seeds make it visibly different from a white hearth loaf without seeds.
  • Dirk says this bread is available exclusively at Dirk. The seeds alone don’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal or how much fibre it contains.

ALDI

ALDI Luxe vloerbrood zonnebloem heel is a sliced white hearth loaf with seeds.

  • ALDI’s product description mentions sunflower seeds, linseed and a golden-brown crust.
  • Check availability at your chosen branch before adding this bread to the canteen menu.

Lidl

Lidl’s oven-fresh range includes white rolls and Kaiser rolls, which can be served individually.

  • Lidl says rolls are baked in-store throughout the day.
  • According to Lidl, its fresh range can vary from branch to branch. Confirm that your chosen rolls are available at the store you’ll be buying from.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a workplace canteen have to provide allergen information for unpackaged bread?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged food, including catering, must be available before purchase. It can be provided in writing or verbally. If it’s given verbally, guests must be clearly told that they can ask for it. For filled rolls, make sure the information covers the filling too.

Is white bread with sourdough or seeds also wholemeal?

No. Sourdough or seeds don’t automatically make white bread wholemeal. Check the description of the exact variety and compare the nutritional information if its composition matters for your menu. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

How can a canteen store bread for several lunches?

Follow the storage instructions for your chosen bread and buy an amount that matches the expected demand. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, so you can take out the amount you need each day.