For a wedding buffet where fibre matters, look for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ first: ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Choose a whole or sliced loaf if you want to put it out straight away; part-baked baguettes need time and suitable equipment just before serving. Check the latest allergen information for each type of bread and make it available to your guests.
You want to serve multigrain bread, but you’re looking for bread that is actually labelled wholemeal. The nutrition information per 100 g can then help you compare the fibre content of specific loaves.
You want to be able to slice or bake the bread in time. Whether part-baked bread is practical depends on the equipment available and how much time you have just before the buffet.
You’re putting out several types of unwrapped bread and want to show guests which allergens are present or may be present in each type.
First decide whether wholemeal bread is a must, then choose a bread format that suits your serving time and check the information for each variety individually.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ on its own does not mean a bread is wholemeal. | I want to serve bread that is demonstrably wholemeal, not just made with several types of grain. For around 31% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first. |
| Serving and storage | Check whether you still need to slice or bake the bread, and whether you have the time and equipment to do so. If you buy it in advance, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can freeze bread in portions straight away. | I want to be able to set the bread out without rushing just before the guests arrive; around 25% of consumers prioritise ease of serving. |
| Allergen information | Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for each variety, and keep it available when serving unwrapped bread. | When guests are helping themselves to bread, I want them to be able to check the listed allergens for each type. Clear allergen information is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Size and where to buy | Choose a whole or half loaf, or smaller rolls, to suit the buffet, and check what’s available at your chosen shop. | I want a size that will work for my buffet and that I can buy from my chosen shop; for around 19% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most. |
Bread made with several types of grain won’t necessarily meet your wholemeal requirements.
Check that the bread you choose is labelled wholemeal, then read the nutrition information if you want to compare fibre per 100 g.
Part-baked baguettes need to be prepared just before the buffet. For example, PLUS’s wholemeal multigrain baguettes need to be baked before serving.
Plan the equipment, baking time and serving time. If baking doesn’t fit into your preparations, choose bread you can put out straight away.
Without the packaging, guests can’t easily tell which allergens are in each type of bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also sets out requirements for providing allergen information for businesses covered by the Dutch rules on unpackaged food.
Keep the latest information for each type of bread and make sure it’s easy to find at the buffet. Keep the serving utensils for different types of bread separate, too.
Quality may decline during longer storage; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, frozen wholemeal bread can become drier over time.
If you buy bread early, freeze it in portions straight away and plan when to take out the portions you need.
Albert Heijn describes AH Extra Lang Lekker Waldkorn Volkoren Heel as a wholemeal multigrain loaf. Its size suits a buffet where you’ll be slicing the bread yourself.
Jumbo sells wholemeal multigrain bread in different formats, including half loaves and rolls. This lets you choose a bread format to suit your buffet setup.
Lidl offers a multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to buy bread in store.
ALDI describes Boeren Volkoren Meergranen Heel as a whole loaf with grains and seeds, available to buy in store.
PLUS sells part-baked wholemeal multigrain baguettes for buffets where you can bake the bread just before serving.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Casino Meergranen Volkoren Half, a half loaf for a buffet where a smaller size is preferred.
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour. So look for the wholemeal label if that’s a must for your buffet.
Yes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after buying it. The Storage Guide recommends keeping wholemeal bread in the freezer for one to three months, although it may become drier if stored for longer.
Keep the latest allergen information for each type of bread available, so guests can check what’s relevant to them before choosing. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how businesses covered by the Dutch rules on unpackaged food must make this information available; for cereals containing gluten, the specific type of grain also matters.
