School holidays mean one thing for caterers, food trucks, café owners and event operators across Australia: bigger crowds, faster turnarounds, and the need for packaging that can genuinely keep pace. Whether you're feeding hundreds of kids at a holiday programme, running a stall at a summer market, or catering a community family day, the right food packaging isn't just a nice-to-have; it's what keeps your operation running smoothly and your customers happy.
Here are some practical packaging picks to help you handle the school holiday rush.
Think Volumes First
High-volume events aren't the time to improvise your packaging. Running out mid-service or dealing with containers that leak, collapse, or don't stack properly costs you time, reputation, and money. Stock up ahead of school holidays and choose packaging designed to handle real-world conditions, hot food, outdoor environments, and busy hands of all ages.
Hot Food & Mains
For sausage sizzles, hot chips, pasta, rice dishes and other mains, you need containers that hold heat without warping and are easy to eat on the go. Bonson's Sugarcane Containers are a standout choice, microwave and oven-safe, grease-resistant, and made from renewable sugarcane fibre. They're fully compostable too, which makes waste management at outdoor events far more straightforward.
For the quintessential Aussie school holiday snack, Paper Hot Dog Trays are a brilliant addition to your line-up, sturdy enough to handle sauces and toppings without going soggy, and easy to hand out quickly when the queue is long.
Sandwiches, Snacks & Grab-and-Go
Nothing slows down a queue like fiddly packaging. Kraft Boxes are ideal for pre-packed lunches, wraps and sandwiches, robust, great-looking on a catering table, and with that natural aesthetic that resonates with eco-conscious Australian families. For mixed snack platters or kids' grazing boxes, Compartment Trays let you serve a variety of bites in a single container, reducing the number of items you're juggling during a busy service.
Sandwich Wedges are another handy grab-and-go option — pre-fill them in advance, and they're ready to hand over in seconds, keeping your service moving at peak times.
Desserts & Sweet Treats
Ice cream, cake slices, and sweet treats are school holiday staples. For ice cream vendors and dessert caterers, Bonson's Ice Cream Containers are a reliable bulk storage option, freezer-grade, BPA-free, and built for high turnover. For individually portioned baked goods and slices, Recycled PET Containers made from recycled plastic are a smart, sustainable choice that still looks polished on any catering display.
Plates & Cutlery for Sit-Down Service
If your event includes a seated component, think school fetes, community lunches or holiday programme BBQs, Sugarcane Plates are an excellent choice. Sturdy enough for a full meal, and compostable at the end of service, they pair perfectly with Sugarcane Trays for serving sides and shared dishes.
Order Early and Ship Australia-Wide
School holidays come around quickly, and popular lines can sell out. Bonson ships Australia-wide, so wherever you're catering, metro or regional, you can get stocked up and ready. Browse the full range or get in touch if you need help finding the right products for your event.
The school holidays are a brilliant opportunity to grow your catering business. Get your packaging sorted, and you can focus on what actually matters: the food.
