For sandwiches at a conference, choose a loaf that is clearly labelled wholemeal. Before placing your order, check whether it comes pre-sliced, how many slices are included and whether the size works with your fillings. Also compare the allergen information and storage advice for the variety you choose. If you’ll be slicing it yourself, allow time and make sure you have the right equipment to cut even portions.
When you need to prepare lots of sandwiches before the same break, predictable slices and a known number of portions make planning easier. Check both details for the specific loaf, even if it’s described as fine or sliced.
When bread is served without packaging, guests must be able to get information about any allergens it contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that this information must be available when unpackaged food is offered.
If you want to compare fibre and salt, you’ll need the nutrition information for the specific variety you’ve ordered. Values for average wholemeal bread are no substitute for the information on that product’s packaging.
First, decide whether the bread needs to come pre-sliced or whether you have time to slice it yourself. Then, for each product you choose, confirm the portions, allergen information and plans for the day it will be served.
Best for: lots of similar sandwiches that need to be ready quickly.
Keep in mind: ‘fine’ on its own tells you nothing about slice thickness, dimensions or the number of slices.
Best for: a lunch where you want bread with a coarser texture.
Keep in mind: check the ingredients and allergens for this specific variety; ‘coarse’ doesn’t tell you how the bread is sliced.
Best for: when you want to choose the slice size to suit your sandwiches.
Keep in mind: cutting even slices takes extra preparation and the right equipment.
| Point to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Even slices | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced, and ask about the size and number of slices in each pack. | If I have lots of similar sandwiches to prepare, I want to know how many usable slices I’ll have ready. Around 31% of consumers prioritise even slices. |
| Allergen information | Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen, and make it accessible when serving. | For a lunch with guests who have different questions about ingredients, I want to be able to clearly explain which allergens are present. Around 25% of consumers consider this information their top priority. |
| Freshness and planning | Check the use-by date and storage advice; confirm the collection or delivery time for the conference. | When the break starts at a set time, I want the bread to be ready on time and stored appropriately. Around 25% of consumers put this planning first. |
| Nutrition information | Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the portion size for the bread you’ve chosen. | If the lunch briefing requires nutrition information, I want to be able to provide figures for the bread being served. Around 19% of consumers put this information first. |
Supermarkets use different descriptions and sell both whole and half loaves. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether the slices supplied are the right size for your sandwiches.
For a larger order, ask about the slice dimensions and number of slices. A sample pack can help you see how the size works with your fillings before you decide how much to order.
Ingredients and allergens can vary from one loaf to another. For unpackaged catering, information about any allergens present must be available where the bread is offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Keep the latest allergen information for each product you buy, and make sure staff can refer to it when serving.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides reference nutrition values for wholemeal bread, but these don’t necessarily describe the variety you’re serving. Slice sizes can vary too.
For your lunch information, use the fibre, salt and portion size details from the current packaging of the product you’ve ordered.
A loaf shown online doesn’t confirm which size will be available for delivery or collection on the day of your event. A substitute product may also be sliced differently or contain different ingredients.
Confirm the exact variety, quantity and collection or delivery time in advance. Agree how you’ll assess any proposed substitute, too.
These brands offer useful starting points for comparing bread types and product information. Choose a product only once its slice, packaging and delivery arrangements fit your catering plan.
Worth considering if you want to check the ingredients, nutrition information and storage advice for a specific wholemeal loaf online.
Worth considering if you want to compare fine, coarse, whole and half wholemeal varieties.
Worth considering if you want to compare fine-sliced wholemeal bread with other wholemeal varieties.
Worth considering if you want to compare fine, whole and half wholemeal loaves, among other options.
Worth considering if you want to look at wholemeal loaves and smaller bread formats for lunch.
These two products call for different preparation: for the Bolletje variety, first check whether the product supplied is suitable for sliced sandwiches; Lekhaven Bakkerij’s round loaf is intended to be sliced after baking. For both products, confirm the size and timings before choosing them for a conference lunch.
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The product format is an important detail to check if you need slices for sandwiches: the name says ‘bun’, while the description refers to sliced wholemeal rye bread.
The ingredients information includes wheat and rye, among other things. Before ordering, check what will be supplied, how many slices are in the pack and which allergens are listed on the current packaging.
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This round loaf suits a plan where you can slice it yourself after defrosting and baking.
The ingredients information lists wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten. Allow time for it to cool before slicing, too. Check the current preparation instructions and allergen information before finalising arrangements for the conference.
Don’t assume the slices are a standard size based on that description alone. Check whether the product you choose comes pre-sliced and, if necessary, ask about the slice dimensions and number of slices per pack.
Yes. For unpackaged food, consumers must be able to get information about any allergens present where the products are offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Make sure the latest information for every loaf you use is accessible when serving.
Arrange collection or delivery to suit the serving time, and follow the storage advice for the bread you’ve chosen. Check the use-by date for that product too. If you want to buy the bread earlier, check whether it can be frozen according to the product information.
No. Don’t use an average value as the nutrition information for every brand and recipe. For your lunch briefing, compare the salt content on the current packaging of the varieties you’ve chosen, preferably on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
