subject: Choosing Cafeteria Trays [print this page] Cafeteria trays enable diners or service personnel to place a number of foods on a single tray and carry it to a seating area for consumption. These trays are used in a variety of venues including schools, universities, hospitals, self-serve restaurants, quick service restaurants, and cafeteria style dining areas found at museums, zoos, and arenas and other large eating areas. Let's take a look at the three types of cafeteria trays in order to determine which type or types will work best for your cafeteria service or dining program.
Cafeteria Trays
These very basic cafeteria trays come in a variety of different shapes. They are available in a number of different sizes and colors, and manufacturers are capable of incorporating designs such as school or University logos into the trays. Some are designed to save space, for example the Cambro Trapezoid tray design enables trays to be placed corner to corner on small dining tables. Stackable and easy to wash, these trays lend themselves to a variety of different applications. You can also add a festive touch to your dining service with tray covers in a wide variety of designs. Made from heavyweight paper and designed to fit flat cafeteria trays, these covers make cleanup easier and add a homey touch.
Compartment Trays
Designed to contain a number of different foods and keep foods separated for better flavor and aesthetics, compartment trays are very popular in grade school settings and in health care cafeteria settings. Built to last, and typically containing between five and six different compartments, these trays are often equipped with an additional slot for flatware and some have room for a bowl. Others are equipped with optional covers. These trays are available a multitude of different designs ranging from basic trays with square compartments to specially designed right and the left hand trays.
Disposable Trays
Ideal for concession stand use, disposable trays are designed to be used once and then thrown away. Perfect for places where there are no washing facilities, such as at arenas, picnics, carnivals and county fairs, or other gatherings set up in temporary locations, these trays are available in a few different configurations. Compartment tray designs keep foods separated in the same way other compartment trays do, and basic foam trays allow customers to transport a number of foods from one place to another with ease. Serve hot and cold foods on the same tray if you like, and keep spills contained.
