Walk through any grocery store and you will be tempted by foods in the bakery, deli counter, butcher, seafood counter, and fresh produce section.
There are many types of supermarket supplies to handle each of these departments which require specialized containers or bags. For grocers, choosing the right supermarket supplies has to take into account the differences between meat and fresh vegetable produce, prepared deli dishes, and freshly baked goods.
The different types of supermarket supplies are designed to take into account transport, storage, maintaining freshness, and even eventual disposal. Let’s dig in!
The Bakery Counter
The types of supermarket supplies for your bakery counter have to consider the various types of breads that are offered. Long baguettes, sub rolls, sliced loaves, large crusty loaves, dinner rolls, croissants, and don’t forget – donuts, pastries, and cookies!
Depending on the baked goods being sold, bag options include fully clear plastic bags, perfect for long sourdough and French baguettes, and paper bags that include a plastic window so that the delicious cookies or ciabatta can be seen.
Bakery paper bags come in many sizes to fit the need and also consider the weight of the items. Bakery bags come in ranges from 4-pound all the way up to 12-pound weight – now that’s a nice loaf of bread!
Customizing your bakery bag is always a nice touch. From color combinations to text showing off your brand, customization allows for an enhanced consumer experience.
Baked goods tend to be consumed either immediately or fairly quickly after purchase, so disposal is an important factor. Many baked goods bags are now made from post-consumer and biodegradable paper.
The Deli Counter
Deli bags
The delicatessen may be the grocery store department with the most variety! Deli counters offer prepared items such as pre-sliced fresh cheeses, prepared hot meals, and prepared and made-to-order subs and sandwiches. This variety of hot and cold foods requires several different types of supermarket supplies.
Deli bags are a flexible option when it comes to size, shape and type of closures. Deli bags need to maintain shelf life of food and be able to transport both hot and cold items from store to home. Deli bags with resealable closures like zippers, are an added benefit for foods that are not consumed in one sitting.
Some deli bags come with features such as pouches and vents. Customization can be done with color and printed branding of the store.
Polypropylene deli containers
For some prepared deli food items, such as salads and side dishes, deli containers provide the right sizes and features for transport. Polypropylene (PP) deli containers are washable, can be heated in a microwave and are great for both dry goods and refrigerated storage. Best of all, they are recyclable too!
Eco-friendly deli containers
There are several types of supermarket supplies to choose from if sustainable and biodegradable deli containers are preferred. Both bagasse deli containers, and cornstarch deli containers are made using sustainable plant materials, are non-toxic, and are 100% biodegradable and compostable.
These are the perfect choice for markets that cater to eco-conscious shoppers that value environmentally friendly food packaging.
The Produce Section
Ah – the vegetarian’s favorite! The produce section is where shoppers go to select their fresh fruits and vegetables. Some items are already pre-packaged for easy selection and transport and others are hand-picked by the shopper.
For hand-picked fruits and vegetables, shoppers appreciate the availability of produce bags. Commonly on perforated rolls that can be easily accessed by shoppers, produce bags are designed to be lightweight, stretchable, and actually extend the life of the fresh fruits and vegetables placed inside of them.
For grocers, selecting produce bags that are USDA and FDA compliant is as important as the ability to place them strategically throughout the produce section.
The Seafood Counter
The types of supermarket supplies for the seafood counter include bags that offer function and form for transport and storage in both refrigerated and frozen environments. Seafood bags are thicker than produce bags as they need to support heavier weights, including ice, and prevent potential leakage.
Specially designed micro-perforated seafood bags limit the exchange of heat and moisture so that defrosting seafood doesn’t result in condensation outside of the bag. They’re also attractive, perfect for the seafood counter or the specialty fishmonger market.
The Butcher
The butcher counter benefits from an assortment of meat tray types, depending on the use case. Since meat counters typically offer both pre-packaged meats such as beef, chicken, and pork, as well as hand-selected cuts, supermarket supplies for the meat counter are highly specialized.
Foam meat trays
The most common meat tray is the white polystyrene foam meat tray. Compared to other meat trays, foam trays provide extra insulation, important for transport and shelf life of the meat. They are also durable, cost-effective, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors such as white, black, and blue.
Eco-friendly meat trays
Cornstarch and bagasse meat trays are a great option for grocers that want to contribute to sustainability efforts. Both options are sturdy, durable, and biodegradable. They are ideal for raw cuts and are leak resistant. These eco-friendly meat trays are the perfect type of supermarket supplies for butchers and quick service to-go orders.
Foodservice Gloves
Besides bags and trays, additional types of supermarket supply includes foodservice gloves. The bakery, deli counter, seafood and meat departments, all handle food for their shoppers as they prepare and package items.
Foodservice gloves are important to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and provide shoppers with confidence that their food will be safe without contaminants caused by the handler.
Gloves are designed for different use cases. For example, the meat and seafood counters typically prefer single-use gloves they can replace in between every shopper. Their gloves must be very affordable and easy to put on and remove quickly.
Other grocery store workers need food prep gloves. These are gloves that are worn while an ongoing task is being completed, such as stocking fresh vegetables or butchering and packaging a slab of meat.
Bakers also require food prep gloves while they are baking and then move on to single-use gloves once they are dealing with shoppers at their counter.
Common materials used to make foodservice gloves are latex, vinyl, and polyethylene.
Looking for Supplies for Your Supermarket?
Servous offers many USDA and FDA approved options for grocers, fishmongers, meat markets, and delicatessens. Our specialized bags, containers, trays and gloves include cost-effective and eco-friendly options.
Our experts are here to help you determine the right types of supermarket supplies to fit your needs and your budget. We can even provide any customization or branding that you require.
Reach out today to see how Servous can provide the right supplies for your supermarket!
Contact us today to speak with our supermarket supply experts.
