Ask someone what they remember most about grade school and many of the answers you get will involve the school cafeteria. Lunch time is second only to recess – if they still have that, for social time and a break from the watchful eye of your teacher.
Plastic school compartment trays are an important component of your school meal service. Most school lunch trays are designed and scaled to be easy to hold and handle by small children though adults and to transport a meal that will satisfy any appetite. When shopping for cafeteria trays, there are few considerations that will help you get the best tray for your customers, from daycare toddlers to high school athletes.
1. How do you know how many compartments you need in your school tray?
The most common styles of school tray are the five compartment plastic tray or the six compartment plastic tray. Both of these trays have one large compartment for an entrée and four smaller compartments for sides. The difference between a five and six compartment is that the six compartment school tray has a compartment for utensils. You can also find more unique tray designs like this eight compartment trapezoid food tray which allows four trays to easily fit on a smaller four top table.
2. Do you need a compartment tray or a flat cafeteria tray?
If you are serving food that is already packaged or is on serving ware or plates, a flat tray is the right choice. Compartment trays are designed for use where the food is served directly onto the tray.
3. How do you know if a smooth surface or textured surface on the cafeteria tray is better for your school lunch service?
Most of the school cafeteria trays are made of copolymer plastic or polycarbonate plastic. The polycarbonate plastic often has a smooth finish. This material is good for school cafeteria trays because it is highly durable, almost unbreakable. This may be the better tray choice for the high school cafeteria. The copolymer trays will often feature a textured finish because the material is softer than polycarbonate and the texturing will hide minor surface scratches that come from the wear and tear of prolonged use.
4. Will you need to serve in the classroom or transport a meal on a school tray?
If you’re going to be transporting meals on trays then you need a compartment tray with a lid or a reusable to-go container with compartments. The biggest reason for this is that you can stack these items for easier transport. Additionally, the lid helps to keep the food at the appropriate temperature; either warm or cold and keeps the meals from getting contaminates like dust or debris during transport.
Along with school trays, you will want to consider getting reusable tumblers and flatware to complete your meal service. This will help decrease the amount of trash produced by the school or district by reducing single use plastics and replacing them, with reusable meal serving products. It’s also a good step towards an eco-friendly school lunch program.
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