Carton and insert and blank for forming the same

A carton for handling a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

• (a) a bottom panel, a first side panel, a top panel, and a second side panel being hingedly connected to form a tubular carton having opposite open ends that are closed with opposite end wall structures, wherein at least one of the end wall structures comprises a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel, a side end flap hingedly connected to each side panel, a bottom end flap hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and means for securing the end flaps together in a closed position;
• (b) the carton having a first aperture in the top end flap, the first aperture configured so that at least a portion of a person's hand can be extended through the aperture;
• and
• (c) the carton having an insert configured and positioned to reinforce at least one of the panels and one of the end wall structures, the insert having a second aperture that is sufficiently aligned with the first aperture such that at least a portion of a person's hand can be inserted through the aligned apertures, wherein the insert is placed within said carton such that one of said opposite open ends of said tubular carton comprises a loading end through which articles are loaded into said tubular carton, the insert having at least two sidewalls defining an opening corresponding to one of the opposite open end.