Are you considering starting your very own dessert business? If so then good choice, as sweet treats are extremely popular right now, so as long as your food is good quality then you should have no issue making your new venture a roaring success!
Having said that, before you jump straight in and open your business, there are some items you’ll need in order to serve your food. Here we’ll go over the basic items you’ll need, as well as touching on the government’s recent rule change that says all packaging must now be biodegradable.
Changes In The Law
Before we go into the specifics every dessert shop will need to serve their food, let’s first touch on the new rules that were put in place by the UK government in late 2023.
Since October 1st, the use of single-use plastic items for food and beverages by takeaways and food outlets has been prohibited. The wide-ranging list of items the government banned includes single-use plastic cutlery, plastic packaging and polystyrene containers and cups.
The ban covers all online and over-the-counter sales and it includes items from new and existing stock. So it doesn’t matter how or where you’re selling your desserts – you won’t be permitted to use these items unless they’re biodegradable.
Likewise, if you’ve got stock left over from last year, sadly you’ll be unable to use it without breaking the rules.
The new rules state that anyone found still using single-use plastic by local authorities or Trading Standards departments will face a fine and prosecution, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Now we’re familiar with the rules, let’s get into the items you’ll need to serve food to your patrons.
Spoons Or Forks
Some desserts, especially the ones with gooey sauces or sticky toppings, should be eaten with a spoon or fork. This helps your customers avoid sticky hands, enhancing their culinary experience!
In the past, most people running a dessert business would buy a truckload of plastic cutlery for a few pence per item. However, under the new rules, these are now banned. So if you want to comply with the law and ensure your business has less of an environmental impact, you’ll need something more eco-friendly.
Thankfully, there are many sustainable options to choose from. Most of these are made from recycled wood, so as well as being budget-friendly, they also ensure you’re sticking to the rules on single-use plastic.
Napkins
Perhaps the one frustrating part of eating desserts (aside from the calories) is that once you’ve finished scoffing them down, you’re often left with frustratingly sticky lips and fingers!
Thankfully, you can help your customer avoid this unpleasant experience by providing napkins. Here at Elpack, we offer a range of napkins that will ensure your customers enjoy eating your desserts from start to finish.
If you wish, these can even be branded. Alternatively, you may just prefer some generic napkins to help your customers remove sugar or residual cake from their hands and lips.
Regardless, don’t overlook napkins and most customers will expect them and they represent a cheap and effective way to enhance your customer experience.
Kraft Boxes
Many of your customers will want to take their desserts away with them, especially if you have limited seating. But whereas many food business owners would use polystyrene containers previously, these have now been banned. So what else can you use?
In step kraft boxes, which are made from 100 percent recycled paper. Kraft boxes make excellent containers for holding food as they’re strong, sturdy and excellent at retaining heat.
This makes them perfect for both hot and cold food, meaning they will keep your desserts fresh for hours. And best for all, they’re good for the planet!
We offer kraft food boxes wholesale, so if you require eco-friendly packaging for your desserts then you’ll find them here!
Kraft Bowls
As well as creating boxes, kraft paper is also used to make bowls. These are usually better suited to soups, sauces or noodle dishes, but depending on the nature of your desserts, they could work well.
Again, the use of kraft paper helps to make sure the contents remain hot and fresh. So if you’re serving warm desserts such as cake and custard or brownies, the kraft paper can retain warmth nicely, ensuring they’re piping hot when your customers arrive home, ready to tuck in!
Kraft Bags
For those customers taking their delicious desserts home with them, they may need a bag to carry them, especially if your food is so scrumptious they can decide on one, so end up buying multiple items!
This is another area where kraft paper comes in handy as it actually creates eco-friendly bags too.
Utilising the strength and durability of kraft paper, these bags allow your customers to carry their sweet treats around with them. And most importantly, they also help to reduce the amount of plastic waste you and your customers contribute to the world, as well as ensuring you stay well within the new rules.
So those are all the items you’ll need to serve food to your customers. By offering biodegradable items that make it easier for your customers to consume your tasty treats, not only will you comply with the rules on single-use plastic, but you’ll enhance your patrons’ experience which should see them coming back again and again.
If you would like to find out more about how Elpack Packaging Solutions can assist your business, or discuss your bespoke packaging needs, get in touch with our expert team today! Call us on 01425 524021 or drop us an email at info@elpack.co.uk
