Food Service Bags

Types of Food Service Bags

“Food service” covers a wide family of bags, each tuned to a specific station in the front or back of house. The most common formats we supply include:

• Sandwich and deli bags — lightweight open-top bags with a flip lip for fast, one-handed loading at the deli counter or sandwich line.
• Cutlery and silverware bags — slim sleeves that keep forks, knives, and napkins clean and ready for grab-and-go service and catering setups.
• Deli saddle-pack bags — pre-opened bags hung on a wire saddle stand so staff can snap one open at a time during a rush.
• Food storage bags — heavier back-of-house bags for portioning, prepping, and refrigerating ingredients by the gallon or quart.
• Takeout and carryout bags — larger bags for bundling completed orders for pickup and delivery.

Material & Thickness (Mil) Guidance

Most food service bags are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and the right choice comes down to feel and job. LDPE is soft, clear, and pliable — ideal for sandwich, cutlery, and produce bags where you want a bag that opens easily and conforms to its contents. HDPE is crinklier and stronger for its weight, which makes it a smart pick for saddle-pack deli and takeout bags that need tear resistance at a low cost. Thickness is measured in mils (one mil = one-thousandth of an inch). As a rule of thumb:

• 0.5–1 mil: light single-use sandwich, cutlery, and produce bags — lowest cost per bag for high-turnover stations.
• 1–1.5 mil: a balanced everyday weight for sandwiches, baked goods, and lighter takeout where a little more durability matters.
• 2 mil and up: portioning, freezing, and heavier storage where the bag must resist punctures and handle damp or chilled contents.

Use Cases by Industry

Restaurants and QSRs use sandwich and carryout bags to speed up the takeout line. Delis and supermarket counters rely on saddle-pack and flip-lip bags for cold cuts, cheeses, and prepared salads. Bakeries reach for clear bags that show off bread, bagels, and pastries. Caterers and event venues pair cutlery sleeves with portioned storage bags for off-site service, while concession stands and food trucks lean on inexpensive grab-and-go bags that keep lines moving.

How to Choose the Right Food Service Bag

Start with the contents and the station. Match the bag size to the product so you are not paying for plastic you do not need, then choose a thickness based on weight, moisture, and whether the bag will be frozen or carried. Decide whether you need an open-top bag for speed, a flip lip for fast loading, or a reclosable bag for storage and portion control. For branding, ask about custom printing — a logo or store name on a carryout bag turns every order into a small marketing piece. When in doubt, order a heavier mil for messier or chilled foods and a lighter mil for dry, lightweight items.

Why Buy Food Service Bags from Arplast

Arplast has manufactured and distributed poly packaging in the U.S. for over three decades, so we understand the cadence of a working kitchen. We carry food-grade stock in the sizes operators actually use, ship from within the United States, and hold no minimum on in-stock items so you can reorder exactly what you run through. Larger orders unlock wholesale volume discounts, and our in-house capabilities let us produce custom sizes and custom-printed bags when an off-the-shelf option will not do. Explore related lines such as our clear plastic sandwich bags for food service, plastic cutlery and silverware bags, pre-opened deli saddle bags for counter use, and heavier-duty bulk food storage bags to outfit every station from prep table to pickup counter.

Frequently asked questions

Are Arplast food service bags food-grade and safe for direct food contact?

Yes. Our food service bags are made from food-grade polyethylene (LDPE or HDPE) suitable for direct contact with sandwiches, deli items, baked goods, produce, and portioned ingredients.

What thickness (mil) should I choose for food service bags?

For light, high-turnover sandwich, cutlery, and produce bags, 0.5 to 1 mil is most economical. Choose 1 to 1.5 mil for everyday takeout and baked goods, and 2 mil or heavier for portioning, freezing, or moist and chilled contents that need puncture resistance.

What types of food service bags do you carry?

We stock sandwich and deli bags, cutlery and silverware sleeves, pre-opened deli saddle-pack bags, bulk food storage bags, and larger takeout and carryout bags for restaurants, delis, bakeries, caterers, and concession operations.

Is there a minimum order, and do you offer wholesale volume pricing?

There is no minimum on in-stock items, so you can reorder exactly what your kitchen uses. Larger orders qualify for wholesale volume discounts, making it economical to stock the consumables you go through daily.

Can I get food service bags in custom sizes or with custom printing?

Yes. With over 30 years of in-house manufacturing, Arplast produces custom-sized food service bags and custom-printed bags, so you can add your logo or store name to carryout and deli bags.

Does Arplast ship food service bags within the United States?

Yes. Arplast is a US-based poly bag manufacturer and distributor and ships food service bags across the United States, with fast turnaround on in-stock items.