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Performance & Technical Specifications

How do rye straws perform compared to paper and plastic alternatives?

OG Rye Straws outperform both paper and plastic alternatives across multiple metrics:

• Rigidity Over Time: Maintains structural integrity in both hot and cold beverages, unlike paper straws that fail within 15-30 minutes
• Chemical Pass-Through to Beverage Testing (CPBT): Zero chemical leaching - passes all food safety standards
• Industrial Waste Standards: Meets commercial composting facility requirements
• Carbon Production: Carbon-negative through regenerative agriculture practices, unlike paper and plastic which are carbon-positive

Do they work in hot beverages?

Yes. Our professionally cured rye straws maintain rigidity in hot beverages including coffee, tea, and hot cocktails. Paper straws fail immediately in hot liquids due to structural breakdown. This makes rye straws suitable for cafes serving both hot and cold beverages with a single straw type.

What is the CPBT (Chemical Pass-Through to Beverage Testing) status?

OG Rye Straws pass CPBT standards with zero chemical leaching into beverages. Unlike many paper straws that contain PFAS (forever chemicals) or plastic straws that release microplastics, our natural rye stems contain no coatings, treatments, or chemical additives.

Do they meet industrial waste standards?

Yes. Our rye straws meet industrial composting facility standards and are fully biodegradable in commercial composting conditions. Both the rye stems and paper wrappers (on wrapped versions) comply with industrial waste management requirements.

What is the carbon footprint?

OG Rye Straws are carbon-negative. Our regenerative agriculture practices at Shaffer Farms result in net carbon sequestration, unlike paper and plastic alternatives which have carbon-positive production processes.

Product Questions

Are rye straws gluten-free?

Yes - gluten is found in the grain, not the stalk. Our rye straws are completely gluten-free and safe for customers with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease.

Will they affect beverage flavor profiles?

Rye straws are neutral to faintly grassy in taste and do not alter beverage flavor profiles. Most bartenders and baristas find they enhance rather than detract from the drinking experience, particularly with garnished cocktails where the natural material complements aromatic elements.

What's the difference between 5-inch and 8-inch straws?

5-inch straws are optimal for rocks glasses, Old Fashioneds, and short cocktails. 8-inch straws are designed for highballs, Collins glasses, tall drinks, and coffee service. Many establishments stock both sizes to serve their complete beverage menu.

Are they PFAS-free?

Yes. Our rye straws contain zero PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances / forever chemicals). They're 100% natural rye stems with no coatings, treatments, or chemical additives. This is independently verified and documented for procurement compliance.

Storage & Handling

What are the storage requirements?

Store in dry location away from humidity at room temperature (15-25°C / 59-77°F). Keep away from moisture during storage. Once in use, the straws maintain rigidity even when wet.

What is the shelf life?

Years when stored in dry conditions. The professional curing process ensures long-term durability and shelf stability, making inventory management straightforward for high-volume operations.

How many straws do we need for our operation?

For bars and restaurants: Plan for 1-2 straws per drink served. A 500-count pack serves approximately 250-500 drinks depending on your beverage program. For high-volume venues, our 5,000-count bulk packs provide better value and reduce reordering frequency.

Ordering & Pricing

What are minimum order quantities?

Professional packs start at 500 straws. Bulk packs contain 5,000 straws (10 packs of 500). For distributor pricing and larger volumes, contact gerald@shafferfoods.com.

Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes. Our 10-pack bulk orders provide significant per-unit savings. Larger orders (32+ packs) receive additional volume discounts. Contact us for custom pricing based on your volume requirements.

Can we get samples for testing?

Yes. Request free samples by contacting your local distributor or emailing gerald@shafferfoods.com with your business information. We recommend testing in your actual service environment to verify performance.

What is the cost per unit?

With bulk 10-pack pricing, straws cost approximately $0.05 each - competitive pricing for a premium product that outperforms paper alternatives in rigidity, chemical safety, and environmental compliance.

Wrapped vs Unwrapped

What's the difference between wrapped and unwrapped straws?

Unwrapped straws are optimal for bars and restaurants where staff add straws to each drink individually. Wrapped straws have hygienic paper sleeves and are designed for self-service locations like cafes, coffee shops, and food courts where customers access straws directly.

Which format should we choose?

Choose Unwrapped if: You're a bar, restaurant, or venue where staff serve drinks directly to customers.
Choose Wrapped if: You have self-service beverage stations, coffee shops, cafes, or high-traffic locations where customers access straws independently.

Sustainability & Compliance

Where are OG Straws produced?

Grown, cut and cured by Shaffer Farms co-op partners family run facilities. Family farm coops established 1807 with over 200 years of combined agricultural heritage.

How do they compare environmentally to paper straws?

Superior across multiple environmental metrics:

• PFAS-Free: Paper straws often contain forever chemicals
• Carbon-Negative: Paper production is carbon-positive
• Industrial Compostable: Full biodegradability vs. partial for paper
• Performance: Reduced waste from straw replacement due to superior rigidity

What certifications are available?

PFAS-free verification, industrial compostability compliance, food safety standards, carbon-negative production documentation. Contact us for certification documentation required for your procurement process.

For Distributors

Do you work with distributors?

Yes. We partner with distributors across Canada and internationally. Contact gerald@shafferfoods.com for distributor pricing, territory availability, and partnership terms.

What support do you provide distributors?

Competitive wholesale pricing, exclusive territory protection, marketing materials, product training, sample packs, performance comparison data (rigidity testing, CPBT, carbon footprint), and ongoing sales support.

How do distributors demonstrate product superiority?

Side-by-side testing: Place paper straw and OG Rye Straw in beverages. Within 30 minutes, paper straw shows structural failure while rye straw maintains rigidity. For hot beverage testing, paper straws fail immediately while rye straws maintain performance. Quantifiable performance gap makes sales conversations straightforward.

Shipping & Delivery

Where do you ship?

Canada and international markets. Shipping times and costs vary by location. Contact us for specific logistics information for your region.

What is the lead time for orders?

Standard orders: 2-5 business days. Large bulk orders may require additional time. Specific timelines provided at order placement.