Written by Sharebite
Let’s face it, any way you cut it, employees are the lifeblood of an organization. So, what’s the key ingredient to making sure they are happy, engaged, and productive? You guessed it: food.
But, not just any food. Don’t settle for an old snack bar, dinosaur vending machine, or one-off Grubhub gift cards. No, no, no! The real key ingredient is an employee meal program that meets your employees where they are and makes them feel genuinely appreciated every day.
The Importance of an Employee Meal Program
Before we dig in, let’s talk about the benefits of having a meal program in the first place. Feeding your employees during the workday energizes them, boosts engagement, fuels productivity, and fosters collaboration – elevating company culture and increasing retention in the long-run. Think about it: Would you rather work for a company that gives you delicious meals from your favorite local restaurants, one that only offers two options that you may or may not enjoy, or worse, one that doesn’t feed you at all? I thought so.
In a world of so many options, choosing the right meal program for your company can make or break your employees’ experience. So, how can you offer a program that actually works for your team? Here are a few things to consider:
Variety is the Spice of Life
Different people have different tastes and preferences. It’s important to have an inclusive meal program that offers a variety of options for everyone. Don’t just stick to typical catering or pizza parties. Mix in a few options and offer a rotation of fan favorite restaurants for employees to choose from and customize their meals. Keep in mind that some of your employees might be gluten-free, vegan, or have other dietary restrictions.
Choose the Right Vendor
When it comes to actually ordering a meal, employees shouldn’t have to work hard — and you shouldn’t have to work hard to manage your meal program, either. This is where choosing the right meal benefits vendor really comes into play. The more flexible and customizable the platform is for you and your employees, the better. Are your employees working in the office? Use a platform that enables them to customize their meals ahead of time and conveniently pick them up on a grab-and-go shelf, like Sharebite Stations. If your employees are remote or hybrid, use a solution that gives them a virtual meal allowance that they can use on their phone at ANY food merchant in the country, like Sharebite Passport.
Quality Matters
This one’s a no-brainer. In-office food options should be delicious and high-quality. Don’t lock employees into a limited number of restaurant options. Remember, this is an investment in your company and your employees – and as it boosts engagement, productivity, and overall satisfaction, it will result in high ROI.
Feedback is Key
What better way to find out how your meal benefits program is than going straight to the source? Ask your employees for feedback. Regularly send out anonymous surveys to see what they love about your program and what could be improved — and don’t be afraid to take constructive criticism. It’s all part of the process to make your meal program the best it can be.
Support & Celebrate DEI
Since food is at the heart of any culture, use your meal program to elevate your company’s DEI efforts. Foster connection amongst your employees by recognizing different cultural celebrations and even national food holidays. Feature local black-owned restaurants extra during Black History Month, include more Mediterranean options on International Falafel Day, or host “Foodie Fridays” for your company’s foodies to bond over their favorite dishes.
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Ready to implement — or elevate — your company’s meal program?
Remember, meal benefits are not just about satisfying hunger; they fuel employees’ engagement, productivity, and connection. In the recipe for creating an award-winning place to work, food plays a key role in making employees feel valued, cared for, and supported.
Are you ready to offer a meal benefits program that is the best fit for your team? Sharebite is the leading meal benefits platform for a reason. Contact our team today.
About CultureCon:
CultureCon, a Certified B Corporation®, is on a mission to inspire positive change around organizational culture. Through large conferences, online courses, consulting services, and certification programs, we deliver experiences that provide practical tools and motivation for our customers to become cultural change agents within their organizations. Our customers include business owners, CxOs, HR leaders, senior management, individual contributors, and anyone who wants to build more uplifting, inspiring, and healthy workplaces.
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