Looking for a way to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work and dedication? Why not try offering an office pantry service?
An office pantry service, or free vend service, provides employees with a selection of snacks and drinks that have already been paid for by the employer. They often have racks and reach-in coolers filled with these beverages and food items that are freely available to employees during working hours. You don’t even have to worry about keeping everything stocked yourself, as you can hire a pantry service provider to take care of all the inventory on your behalf.
It already sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn’t it? Here are some more benefits of offering a pantry service in your office.
An Inclusive Menu
Some offices like to order pizza or bring in donuts for their employees every so often as a treat, but these kinds of foods don’t necessarily fit into everyone’s diets. A pantry service, on the other hand, is typically stocked with a variety of foods and drinks, so there’s something for everyone.
If you’re working with a pantry service provider, you can even provide them with a list of dietary restrictions and food preferences so they can make sure they’re accommodating everyone with their inventory. Consider surveying your employees to find out what kinds of things they would like to see in their office pantry – they’ll certainly appreciate your willingness to go the extra mile.
Improved Productivity
When you’re hungry, it can be difficult to concentrate on anything else. Sure, you could go grab something from a local coffee shop, but that can take a good chunk of time out of your workday, especially if there’s a lineup (and when you’re busy it seems like there’s always one!).
By offering a variety of foods and beverages at your office pantry, you can reduce or eliminate the need for drink and snack runs to local shops and restaurants. Your employees can quickly grab what they need, satisfy their hunger and/or thirst, and then get back to the task at hand. You also won’t have to go through the often-long process of having to agree on a place to eat and then collecting everyone’s orders, saving even more time and effort.
Promotes a Sense of Community
During breaks and lunchtime, you may often find that your employees scatter: some go out to restaurants in small groups, others pick up drive-thru and sit in their cars, and the rest just stay at their desks. It’s hard to improve your workplace culture if everyone disperses during breaktimes.
If you offer an office pantry service, though, everyone may come together to take advantage of the free food and drink. When your employees are sitting down and eating together, they are more likely to create the kinds of connections that promote a sense of community within the office. Team building activities are an important part of a happy and productive workplace – why not turn lunch and breaktimes into one?
