Running a café, food truck, bakery or takeaway in Nelson means your packaging has to work as hard as your kitchen does. It keeps food hot and tidy, carries your brand out the door, and gets used by the hundred every single day. This guide covers the core food packaging every Nelson vendor needs, what to look for in each format, and where to get it locally.
Everything below is stocked by NZ Packaging, including the Detpak foodservice range. We have a store right here in Nelson and ship nationwide, so you can pick up an urgent top-up or set up a standing order for delivery.
Where to find food packaging in Nelson
NZ Packaging is a Nelson-based packaging supplier stocking a full foodservice range for local vendors. We carry Detpak, a world-class paper and board packaging manufacturer whose range spans cups, cartons, bags, napkins, trays and wraps — more than 1,000 products designed for the food service, QSR, grocery and convenience sectors.
- Local pickup: call in to our Nelson store for stock on hand and quick top-ups.
- Nationwide delivery: order online and we ship across New Zealand.
- Trade accounts: regular buyers get tiered pricing — the more you order, the better the rate.
The core kit every food vendor needs
Most food businesses build their packaging around five everyday formats. Get these right and the rest is detail.
- Cups and drinkware for coffee, cold drinks and shakes, plus lids, holders and straws.
- Containers, trays and boxes for hot meals, salads, pizza and takeaway.
- Paper bags for counter service, baked goods and food delivery.
- Wraps, films and foil for sandwiches, burgers and keeping food fresh.
- Napkins and cutlery to finish the order.
Cups and drinkware
Detpak makes a broad range of cups and cup accessories for both hot and cold drinks. For a café or coffee cart, the cup is part of your presentation, so it pays to match cup sizes, lids and holders as a system rather than buying them piecemeal.
Browse our Beverage Cups range, or the wider Cups & Drinkware collection for lids, cup holders and straws.
Containers, trays and boxes
Detpak's takeaway containers, trays and boxes are designed to keep food warm, fresh and crispy on the way to the customer. Formats are leak-resistant and grease-proof, and come in sturdy cardboard or compostable sugarcane, with recyclable options across the range.
For hot meals and takeaway, browse Containers & Trays and Food Packaging. Serving plated food or catering? See Plates, Bowls & Cutlery.
Paper bags for service
Detpak's paper bag range runs from carry bags for groceries, to takeaway bags for food delivery, to greaseproof hot food bags. The greaseproof options are the ones to reach for with hot chips, pastries and anything oily, because they hold up without soaking through.
Browse all Paper Bags, or go straight to Greaseproof Paper Bags for hot food service.
Wraps, napkins and the finishing touches
Round out your service with Wraps, Films & Foil for burgers and sandwiches, plus Napkins and Disposable Cutlery. These are low-cost, high-frequency items, so it's worth keeping a buffer of stock on hand.
Quick reference: which packaging for which job
| Packaging | Best for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage cups | Coffee, cold drinks, shakes | Beverage Cups |
| Containers & trays | Hot meals, salads, takeaway | Containers & Trays |
| Greaseproof paper bags | Hot chips, pastries, baked goods | Greaseproof Paper Bags |
| Carry & takeaway bags | Counter service, food delivery | Paper Bags |
| Wraps, films & foil | Burgers, sandwiches, freshness | Wraps, Films & Foil |
The quick answer
For most Nelson food vendors, a solid starting kit is beverage cups plus lids, grease-proof and recyclable containers, greaseproof and carry paper bags, and napkins and cutlery to finish. Buy them as a system, keep a buffer of your high-use lines, and set up a trade account so restocking is one predictable order rather than a scramble.
Not sure what fits your menu? Browse the full Food Service range or email us at sales@nzpackaging.nz with your menu and volumes and we'll help you build a stock list.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a store in Nelson?
Yes. NZ Packaging is Nelson-based, so you can pick up locally, and we also ship nationwide for standing orders and larger deliveries.
What brand of food packaging do you stock?
We stock the Detpak foodservice range, a world-class paper and board packaging manufacturer with over 1,000 products including cups, cartons, bags, napkins, trays and wraps.
Can I get better pricing if I order regularly?
Yes. Trade accounts get tiered pricing, so your rate improves as your order volumes grow. Email sales@nzpackaging.nz to set one up.
Which bags should I use for hot, greasy food?
Use greaseproof paper bags for hot chips, pastries and oily items — they resist grease and won't soak through the way a standard flat bag can. Browse our Greaseproof Paper Bags.
