The Growing Importance of Catering in Europe

The European catering industry has experienced significant growth and transformation, becoming a key segment within the broader foodservice sector.

Market Growth and Trends

The European contract catering market was valued at $55.34 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $69.77 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 3.94%. (BusinessWire)

The overall European foodservice market is expected to grow from $953.39 billion in 2025 to $1,511.53 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 9.66%. (Mordor Intelligence)

Key Industry Trends

• Outsourcing & Contract Catering → Companies increasingly outsource food services to specialized providers, ensuring efficiency and quality.
• Digitalization & Automation → Online ordering systems and smart kitchens enhance operational efficiency.
• Sustainability & Health Awareness → Eco-friendly practices and nutritional-focused menus are driving industry innovation.

While the catering sector is on a strong growth trajectory, it also faces logistical challenges—especially in managing the cold chain to guarantee food safety and quality.

 

Why Temperature Matters in Catering Deliveries

Catering businesses handle a diverse range of perishable foods, each requiring strict temperature control to ensure quality, safety, and taste.

Temperature-Sensitive Food Categories:

• Refrigerated / Chilled (0°C to 5°C): Salads, cold cuts, dairy, fresh meals.
• Frozen (-18°C or lower): Ice cream, seafood, frozen dishes, desserts.
• Ambient-sensitive (15°C to 25°C): Gourmet chocolates, premium snacks.

Without effective temperature-controlled packaging, these products risk spoilage, leading to waste, dissatisfied customers, and compliance issues.

 

Challenges in Catering Cold Chain Logistics

Catering logistics differ significantly from traditional food supply chains. Deliveries must be on time, fresh, and safe, making cold chain management particularly complex.

Common Challenges:

• Event unpredictability → Weddings, corporate events, and private parties require high precision.
• Temperature fluctuations in last-mile delivery → Inconsistent conditions during transport can compromise food quality.
• Regulatory compliance → Strict food safety regulations demand reliable temperature control and monitoring.

How to Solve These Challenges?

A reliable solution is passive temperature-controlled packaging, which ensures food stays within safe temperature ranges without requiring external refrigeration systems.

 

How Passive Temperature-Controlled Packaging Transforms Catering Deliveries

1. Maintains Safe Temperatures Without External Energy:

Passive packaging solutions use high-performance insulation to extend cooling times, making them ideal for catering operations with demanding logistics.

2. Flexibility for Multi-Temperature Needs

From frozen desserts to chilled entrees, passive packaging allows caterers to transport multiple temperature-sensitive products within the same delivery.

3. Sustainable & Cost-Effective Alternative

Compared to refrigerated van or other energy-intensive cooling systems, passive packaging offers a low-energy solution that:

• Reduces operational costs.
• Minimizes carbon footprint.
• Complies with environmental regulations.

4. Reliable for High-Demand Catering Services

For example, a high-end catering company delivering a gourmet wedding menu must ensure that:

• The frozen wedding cake arrives intact.
• Chilled seafood appetizers remain at optimal freshness.
• Hot entrees retain their temperature and quality.

With Tempack’s passive packaging solutions, every dish arrives perfectly preserved and ready to serve.

 

Best Practices for Cold Chain Catering Logistics

1. Choose the Right Packaging

Select high-performance insulated shippers that:

• Maintain required temperatures throughout the delivery.
• Have undergone thermal performance testing.
• Are made with eco-friendly and reusable materials.

2. Optimize Last-Mile Deliveries

Even the best packaging needs efficient transport to maintain cold chain integrity. Work with temperature-controlled delivery providers that:

• Specialize in food-grade logistics.
• Offer real-time tracking and monitoring.

3. Monitor & Validate Food Safety

Integrate temperature data loggers and indicators to track conditions throughout the entire transit process.

 

Why Tempack Is Your Catering Cold Chain Partner

Tempack specializes in passive temperature-controlled packaging solutions designed to enhance catering logistics. Our technology ensures:

• Extended temperature protection for refrigerated, frozen, and ambient-sensitive foods.
• A sustainable alternative to refrigerated transport.
• Custom packaging solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of catering professionals.

Looking to improve your catering logistics? Contact us!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is temperature-controlled packaging for catering?

It is specialized packaging designed to maintain perishable food at safe temperatures during transit.

How does passive temperature-controlled packaging work?

Passive packaging relies on insulation materials and cooling elements, such as phase change materials (PCMs), to maintain temperature without requiring external energy sources.

Why should catering businesses switch to passive packaging?

It provides a cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable solution for ensuring high-quality food deliveries without the need for refrigerated vehicles.

 

 

Final Thoughts

The catering industry is growing rapidly, but maintaining food safety, quality, and sustainability remains a key challenge. Passive temperature-controlled packaging offers a proven, cost-efficient solution that enhances cold chain integrity for catering logistics.