How Much Does a Fruit Tray Cost?

Last Updated on May 17, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

As a naturally colorful, hydrating, and health-conscious option for events of all types and group sizes, fresh fruit trays have rightfully become a beloved go-to centerpiece. But what exactly impacts the retail cost of procuring quality fruit trays suitable for office gatherings, showers, weddings, and holiday parties?

How do expenses vary based on preparation, customization, seasonal fruit choices, add-ons like dips or chocolate, delivery fees, and quantity discounts?

This pricing guide examines cost breakdowns between grocers, mass retailers, and artisan fruit shops, how customization choices impact spending, cost comparisons of providing your own platters or outsourcing full-service catering, pricing variations by fruit type and seasonality, recommended uses for budget-friendly fruits, ways to save through bulk orders, and strategies for elevating ordinary fruit trays into extraordinary centerpieces across any budget range.

How Much Does a Fruit Tray Cost?

On average, prepared small fruit trays suitable for 10-15 guests run $20 to $40, while lavish large trays feeding 40+ people span $50 to $100+. Of course, pricing fluctuates based on retailer, specific fruits used, ornamentation, and services ordered.

Small Fruit Trays

• Serves: 10-20 people
• Cost: $20 to $40

Medium Fruit Trays

• Serves: 25-35 people
• Cost: $35 to $60

Large Fruit Trays

• Serves: 40-50+ people
• Cost: $50 to $100+

Extra Large Bulk Trays

• Serves: 75-100+ people
• Cost: $100 to $250+

Larger platters, ornate designs, and full-service catering understandably increase costs noticeably. Carefully approximate guest counts and appetites as you budget. Wasted food disappoints.

Corey’s Bagels offers fruit trays in two sizes. The small tray, serving up to 12 people, is priced at $59.00, while the large tray, serving 13-20 people, costs $95.00. These trays include a fresh array of fruits such as pineapple, strawberries, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, and grapes.

Sam’s Club provides fruit trays for purchase, with options like the Member’s Mark Fresh Fruit Tray priced per pound at $4.44. The store also offers a Member’s Mark Fruit and Cheese Party Tray at varying prices. Customers can find a selection of fruit trays at Sam’s Club with different sizes and contents to suit their needs.

Anthony’s Produce offers a large fruit tray serving 35-40 people for $59.99. This tray is loaded with 15 to 16 pounds of fresh-cut fruit, including cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, and grapes. Additionally, fruit dip is available for an additional cost, and customers can customize the trays by contacting the store.

Introduction to Fruit Trays

Artfully styled fruit trays typically contain:

• A visually balanced and appealing arrangement of fresh sliced melons, berries, grapes, pineapple, oranges, kiwi based on color variety.
• Supportive serving trays, glass bowls, or compotes to provide structure and contain the designs.
• Fruit skewers, leaf sprigs, chocolate drizzles, and picks to add ornamentation and easy gripping.

Reasons fruit trays shine at events:

• Provide lighter healthy hydration and energy between heartier courses or snacking.
• Allow guests watching sugar or gluten intake to participate without worry.
• Brighten up dessert, brunch, and cocktail tables in a crowd-pleasing way.
• Fit seamlessly into dietary preferences from vegan to paleo so all enjoy.

Their vibrant colors and flexibility make fruit trays a versatile catering choice. Now let’s examine typical costs.

Factors Influence Pricing for Fruit Trays

Type of Retailer Selected

• Wholesale clubs offer lower pricing for bulk fruit orders perfect for large casual events.
• Mainstream grocery stores provide adequate quality and convenience suitable for most occasions.
• Smaller specialty food shops and fruit boutiques allow exquisite upscale custom platters with premium organic varieties.

Fruit Selection and Seasonal Availability

• Common fruits like watermelon, grapes, berries, and melon prove budget-friendly year-round staples.
• Out-of-season or rare fruits like mangos, guavas, and passionfruit increase costs temporarily based on scarcity.
• Organic options understandably boost cost but provide peace of mind.

Degree of Customization and Ornamentation

• Simple sliced fruit costs less. Florist-grade skewer or floral garnishes add a premium for the artistry involved.
• Adding elaborate chocolate fountains or caramel fruit drizzles increases price but wows guests.

Preparation and Presentation Format

You might also like our articles about the cost of mangoes, the cost of charcuterie boards, or the price of almond milk.

• Ready-to-serve pre-cut trays cost moderately more than DIY but save substantial labor time.
• Having staff available to replenish trays and refresh presentation keeps offerings vibrant but raises pricing.

Now let’s examine less obvious associated expenses beyond just the fruits themselves.

Additional Fruit Tray Costs

Delivery, Set Up, and Service Fees

• Delivery costs often add $15 to $40 depending on mileage and order size.
• Full-service catering with set up, tray replenishing, and post-event pick-up regularly exceeds $200+ on top of base fruit and design costs.
• Servers on-site for refills, mingling hospitality, and helping clear trays cost $15-$25 per hour per staff member.

Disposable Serving Supplies

• Plates, napkins, cutlery costs $0.05 to $0.20+ per guest.
• Compostable “eco-friendly” alternatives cost 2-3x more but reduce waste.

Equipment Rentals, Cleaning Deposits

• Renting decorative bowls/stands – $25-$100.
• Reusable serving pieces mean paying a refundable cleaning/damage deposit of $50+ typically.

Evaluate whether DIY elements would save over outsourcing when budgeting. Hidden fees mount quickly.

Fruit Tray Needs by Event Guest Count

When estimating the fruit volume required, professionals recommend:

• Small events under 25: plan 2 to 3 pieces per guest.
• Medium events of 25-50: allow 3 to 4 pieces per guest.
• Large groups over 50: budget 4 to 6+ pieces per guest.

Factor whether other snacks and courses are being served to determine appropriate portions. Don’t skimp and leave guests hungry but avoid drastic overordering and waste either. Having extra sliced fruits available to replenish trays proves ideal for larger groups.

Saving on Fruit Trays

Ways to secure the best fruit tray pricing include:

• Utilizing fruits naturally bountiful in a given season – like berries in summer – saves noticeably over scarce out-of-season items.
• Buying tray fruits at the peak of fresh ripeness from farmers markets secures better pricing.
• Purchasing bulk trays from big box retailers cuts costs, then divide into multiple platters yourself.
• Ordering ahead for prepared trays allows providers to opportunistically buy discounted produce.
• Plain bulk fruit bowls always cost less than heavily ornamented trays – save embellishments for focal points.

With savvy timing and shopping, fruit trays suit almost any catering budget.

Fruit Trays to Statement Centerpieces

Make ordinary fruit trays extraordinary through little touches like:

• Hollowed-out fruit filled with yogurt, chocolate mousse, or fruit salad for interactive surprise.
• Fun skewer designs pairing fruits with marshmallows, cheeses, or crunchy toasted nuts.
• Infusing water, fruit juices or seltzer with fresh herb purees for an inspired beverage pairing.
• Using floral cookie cutters to punch shapes from melon slices.
• Crafting fruit arrangements to mimic bouquets as edible centerpieces.

Taking fruit trays up a creative notch delights guests without requiring a catering budget.

Final Words

Tropical fruit trays provide the vivid colors, refreshing hydration, and lighter fare that helps events feel festive across endless occasions and seasons. While ornate catering-grade platters certainly impress, hosts can also keep fruit tray costs affordable through buying in bulk, creatively utilizing lower-cost seasonal produce, and embellishing with accents versus having every slice elaborately garnished.

For weddings and luxury corporate affairs where visual appeal warrants sparing no expense, premium artisan fruit designs prove money well spent. But no matter your budget, fresh fruit trays add vibrance and ensure all guests feel included at gatherings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to make or buy a fruit tray?

In most cases, buying sufficient fresh fruit yourself from warehouse retailers and dividing onto platters saves 30-50% over outsourcing equivalent-sized trays – if you have the time for assembly. But some caveats exist.

Factoring your labor invested along with top-tier fruit varieties preferred, savings diminish to around 10-20% for high-end fruit. Value your efforts appropriately when comparing costs.

Why are platters so expensive?

You’re paying for the expertise of experienced food stylists when purchasing lavish ready-made fruit trays. The costs of skilled labor designing ornamental arrangements, hand-selecting premium fruits, using artisanal serving trays, and incorporating edible flower garnishes add up. Also, high foot traffic storefronts increase overhead. Customized artistry commands fair prices.

Is charcuterie expensive?

Yes, compared to chic charcuterie presentations, fruit-focused grazing tables provide more budget-friendly catering. Premium cured meats, fine cheeses, imported olives/nuts, and smoked seafoods needed for upscale charcuterie cost far more per guest than fresh fruit.

For a light health-conscious spread, a fruit-forward design with smaller charcuterie elements helps balance cost.