Packaging
Food Tray Packaging for NZ Hospo
The right tray keeps your food hot, your counter clean, and your customer coming back.
Food tray packaging does a lot of heavy lifting. It holds the load, handles the grease, and has to survive a ride in a delivery bag without falling apart. We stock cardboard, moulded pulp, and foil trays sized for everything from a snack portion to a full meal deal.
We supply pizzerias, burger joints, fish and chip shops, fried chicken spots, and food trucks across New Zealand. No minimums on stocked lines, no faff. Order by 4pm on a business day and we dispatch same day.
Which Food Tray Is Right for Your Operation?
Not all trays are built for the same job. Here is a straight breakdown.
- Cardboard food trays — good for dry or lightly sauced foods. Cheap, stackable, compostable where facilities exist. Common for chips, hot dogs, and snack portions.
- Moulded pulp trays — made from recycled fibre. Sturdy, absorbent, and better for greasy or wet loads like fried chicken or battered fish. Holds its shape under pressure.
- Foil trays — the go-to for anything going in the oven or needing to stay hot in transit. Oven-safe, airtight with a lid, and reusable by the customer. Popular with roast meal operators and caterers.
If you are running a high-volume fry station, pulp or foil will outlast cardboard every time. If you need something lightweight for a market stall, cardboard gets the job done.
Sizes and Specs
We stock food trays in a range of sizes to suit single servings through to shared portions. Sizes vary by tray type — check the individual product pages for exact dimensions and carton quantities.
- Small trays — snack portions, sides, kids meals
- Medium trays — single serves, standard burger baskets, chip cones
- Large trays — loaded meals, shared plates, catering portions
All stocked lines are available by the carton. Bulk pricing applies at higher quantities — log in or contact us to see your volume pricing.
Kraft vs White Card: What to Pick
For cardboard food trays, you will usually be choosing between kraft (brown) and white card.
Kraft card looks natural and sits well with a rustic or artisan brand. It is unbleached, so it carries fewer chemicals through the manufacturing process. Most customers associate it with a more low-fi, honest aesthetic.
White card gives you a cleaner print surface if you are running custom branded trays. Colours pop better on white. It costs marginally more but looks sharp on a well-lit counter.
Neither is categorically better. Pick based on what your branding calls for and what your printer specifies.
Custom Printed Food Trays
Want your logo on the tray? We can sort custom printed food tray packaging for runs that meet minimum order quantities. Lead times on custom work are longer than stocked lines — get in touch early, not the week before you need them.
Custom print works best on white card trays and foil trays with a printed lid. We will send you a spec sheet and artwork requirements once you make contact. No, we cannot turn custom print around same day.
Ordering and Dispatch
Stocked lines ship same day if your order is in before 4pm on a New Zealand business day. That covers most of our standard cardboard and pulp tray range.
Non-stocked or custom items have longer lead times. We will confirm timing when you order.
We dispatch nationwide. If you are in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, courier times are typically faster — but we do not control what happens once the package leaves us, so plan accordingly if you are cutting it close on stock.
Frequently asked
What is the minimum order quantity for food trays?+
No minimum on stocked lines. You can order a single carton if that is all you need. Custom printed trays have minimum order quantities — contact us for details.
Can I get same-day dispatch on food trays?+
Yes, on stocked lines if you order before 4pm on a NZ business day. Custom or non-stocked items cannot be dispatched same day.
Do you do custom printed food trays?+
Yes. Custom print is available on select tray types. Lead times are longer than stocked lines. Get in touch with your artwork and we will send through specs and pricing.
Are your food trays compostable or recyclable?+
Some are. Cardboard and moulded pulp trays are compostable where industrial composting facilities are available. Foil trays are recyclable if clean. Check the individual product page or ask us directly for the specific material details.
What is the difference between pulp trays and cardboard trays?+
Pulp trays are moulded from recycled fibre and handle grease and moisture better. Cardboard trays are lighter and cheaper but can go soggy under wet or heavily sauced food. For fried food, pulp generally performs better.
Do you offer bulk pricing on food tray packaging?+
Yes. Volume pricing applies at higher carton quantities. Log in to your account to see tiered pricing, or contact us if you are buying in large volumes and want a quote.
Keep reading
Same-day dispatch
Order before 4pm. Out the door same day.
Full range, customer-specific pricing, stocked in NZ.