May 06, 2026
5 mins
Every May, the UK comes together to celebrate one of its greatest culinary institutions: the humble sandwich. British Sandwich Week 2026 (18–24 May) is the perfect moment for cafés, delis, sandwich bars and food-to-go businesses to shine, and the right packaging is a big part of that story. At Weald Packaging Supplies, we've got everything you need to present your sandwiches beautifully, sustainably, and professionally.
British Sandwich Week is an annual celebration of one of the UK's most iconic foods, organised by the British Sandwich & Food to Go Association - the trade body established in 1990 to champion everyone in the food-on-the-move industry. Held every May, it shines a spotlight on sandwich makers, café owners, delis and food-to-go businesses up and down the country.
The week also includes the prestigious 'Sammies' - the industry's very own awards ceremony, recognising the best new sandwiches, top retailers and most innovative creations of the year. It's a very exciting time to be in the food-to-go business, and an unmissable marketing moment for any café or deli looking to attract new customers.
The sandwich traces its origins to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who (so the story goes) requested his meat be served between two slices of bread so he could eat without leaving the card table. More than 260 years later, Britain spends over £3.8 billion annually on sandwiches, with around 8.2 billion consumed every year. The industry as a whole is worth an estimated £8 billion to the UK economy. Britain's love affair with the sarnie shows absolutely no sign of slowing down.
In today's food-to-go landscape, packaging isn't just a container, it's part of your brand. Customers notice it. They photograph it. And increasingly, they make purchasing decisions based on how sustainable it is. Research consistently shows that consumers, particularly younger generations, actively prefer businesses that demonstrate a commitment to the environment.
British Sandwich Week amplifies all of this. With footfall up, social media buzzing, and customers actively seeking out their favourite sandwich shops, there has never been a better time to ensure your presentation is on point. From the box your BLT goes into, to the cup that holds your customer's flat white.
That's where Weald Packaging Supplies comes in.
At Weald Packaging Supplies, we're proud stockists of the Vegware range - widely regarded as the gold standard in compostable food packaging. Vegware is a market-leading brand trusted by thousands of cafés, restaurants, catering companies and food-to-go businesses across the UK and beyond.
What makes Vegware stand out? Every single product in the range is designed to be commercially compostable. Made from plant-based, renewable or recycled materials, Vegware products break down alongside food waste in commercial composting facilities, meaning less plastic, less landfill, and a truly better outcome for the planet.
For your business, stocking Vegware packaging sends a clear, powerful message to your customers: you care about quality, you care about presentation, and you care about the world you operate in. During British Sandwich Week especially, when customers are out celebrating great food, that message can be the difference between a first visit and a loyal regular.
The environmental case for switching to eco-friendly food packaging has never been stronger. Here's what makes Vegware, and the range we stock at Weald Packaging Supplies, genuinely different:
The sandwich box is where it all starts. Whether you're filling a classic white bloomer, a ciabatta roll, a wrap, a granary bap or an artisan sourdough, the packaging needs to do your creation justice. Our Vegware sandwich packaging range covers every format a modern food-to-go business needs.
Compostable Sandwich Packs: Our standard compostable sandwich packs are ideal for pre-made and grab-and-go offerings. Designed with a secure closure to keep contents fresh, they're grease-resistant and sturdy enough to handle even the most generously filled sarnies. The clear window option lets customers see exactly what they're getting - which means your stunning fillings do the selling for you.
Hinged-Lid Sandwich Boxes: For deli counters and made-to-order services, our hinged-lid compostable sandwich boxes are a firm favourite. They open easily, stack neatly on your counter, and present the sandwich beautifully when opened, almost like a little gift box for your customer's lunch. Available in multiple sizes to accommodate everything from a half-round to a full club sandwich.
Wrap and Baguette Packaging: Not every sandwich is square. Our wrap packaging and baguette sleeves keep long and rolled items fresh and easy to hold on the go, perfect for busy lunchtime queues. Made from compostable paper-based materials, they're printable too, giving you a great opportunity to display your branding.
Takeaway Boxes for Hot Sandwiches and Toasties: For toasties, paninis and hot sandwiches, our range includes heat-resistant compostable boxes that maintain temperature without buckling or leaking grease. They're a step up from flimsy foil alternatives and look far more professional on the counter.
A great sandwich experience doesn't stop at the box. From the moment a customer picks up their order to the moment they finish their drink; every touchpoint is an opportunity to reinforce your brand values and commitment to sustainability. Here's what else we stock from the Vegware range at Weald Packaging Supplies:
Paper Bags: Compostable kraft paper bags are the classic choice for sandwiches, rolls and pastries. Sturdy, grease-resistant and available in a range of sizes, they're as practical as they are eco-friendly. Ideal for bakeries, cafés and market stalls where presentation needs to be quick, clean and confident.
Napkins: No sandwich experience is complete without a good napkin. Our compostable napkins are soft, absorbent and strong, everything you'd expect, without the plastic-coated gloss finish of conventional options. Available in white and kraft finishes to suit your brand aesthetic, and fully compostable after use.
Cold Cups: From iced coffees to soft drinks and smoothies, our Vegware cold cups offer crystal-clear presentation with full compostability. Unlike standard PET cups, these are made from plant-based materials that break down in commercial compost. Pair them with our compostable lids and straws for a fully sustainable cold drink solution.
Hot Cups: The perfect companion to any lunchtime sandwich. Our compostable hot cups are made without plastic lining (the feature that makes conventional paper cups nearly impossible to recycle) and are available in a range of popular sizes from 8oz to 16oz, with matching compostable lids.
Food Containers and Salad Boxes: Not every customer wants just a sandwich. For those looking to add a side salad, pasta pot or fruit cup to their order, our compostable food containers have you covered. Leak-resistant and sturdy, with clear lids so the contents look as appetising as possible.
Cutlery and Stirrers: Round off your sustainable setup with our compostable cutlery range. Forks, knives, spoons and coffee stirrers - all made from plant-based materials, all fully compostable alongside food waste. No single-use plastic, no compromise on functionality.
We know that running a food-to-go business means making dozens of decisions every day. Packaging shouldn't be a source of stress or compromise. At Weald Packaging Supplies, we've built our reputation on supplying quality eco-friendly packaging that works in the real, busy, lunchtime-rush conditions that our customers face every single day.
As a dedicated stockist of the award-winning Vegware range, we can offer you a fully comprehensive solution: from sandwich boxes to hot cups, napkins to paper bags, everything works together as part of a cohesive, compostable system. You're not mixing and matching from different suppliers, trying to make different materials work together. With Weald Packaging Supplies and Vegware, everything is designed to fit, stack, perform and compost in harmony.
We're also here to help you find the right products for your specific setup. Whether you're a small independent café doing fifty covers a day or a larger food-to-go operation turning out hundreds of orders, we can help you find the sizes, formats and quantities that make sense for your business.
British Sandwich Week 2026 (18–24 May) is more than a marketing moment, it's a genuine celebration of one of Britain's best-loved foods, and a brilliant opportunity for food-to-go businesses to attract new customers, showcase their creativity, and demonstrate their values.
Sustainable, compostable packaging from Weald Packaging Supplies, including the award-winning Vegware range of sandwich boxes, paper bags, napkins, hot cups, cold cups and more, means you can present your food beautifully, reduce your environmental impact, and give customers another reason to choose you over the competition.
Get in touch with the Weald Packaging Supplies team today, and let's make sure you're ready to celebrate in style.
Weald Packaging Supplies - proud stockists of the award-winning Vegware eco-friendly packaging range. Sustainable packaging solutions for cafés, delis, sandwich bars and food-to-go businesses across the UK.
Weald Packaging Supplies is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 01713146. Registered office: Station Approach, Buxted, TN22 4LA.
