Best Office Food Solutions for Hybrid Workplaces

July 26, 2024 | 4 min read

The MODERN office, re-Defined

Hybrid workplaces are becoming the new standard, offering flexibility that meets the diverse needs of today's workforce. This trend is driven by the benefits of both remote and in-office work, aiming to maximize efficiency while accommodating personal preferences and responsibilities. This model promotes flexibility and work-life balance but requires innovative solutions to provide consistent office perks, particularly when it comes to employee catering.

In hybrid workplaces where employees split their time between working from home and the office, catering to diverse dietary needs becomes a unique challenge. Nowadays, there are more and more effective office food solutions that support this flexible work model, ensuring that employees have access to nutritious and delicious food options whether they’re at the office every day or not.

Benefits of Optimized Office Food Solutions

Providing flexible and diverse office food options can significantly enhance productivity and morale. Employees appreciate the effort made to accommodate their dietary needs and work location, fostering a sense of inclusivity and respect across the organization.

Implementing Food Solutions in Your Hybrid Workplace

Implementing an effective food program in a hybrid workplace involves several key steps. First, it is crucial to regularly engage with employees to understand their satisfaction levels and receive feedback on the provided food services in the office. Secondly, choosing the right vendors is vital. Partners who grasp the hybrid model’s nuances and can provide the necessary flexibility and variety in food options are essential. Finally, ongoing adaptation of the food solutions in the workplace to align with changing employee needs and preferences ensures that all staff feel valued and supported, fostering a positive work environment.

Providing employee meals that can be enjoyed by everyone demonstrates a company’s genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Smart Vending Machines

Strategically placed within office spaces, smart vending machines are designed to cater to the flexible schedules of hybrid workplaces. Look for machines that are stocked with a variety of healthy snacks and meals, like the FELFEL fridge, rather than the traditional vending machine. Smart vending machines like FELFEL are perfect for hybrid workplaces, ensuring employees have easy access to a variety of nutritious options without leaving the building. More importantly, services like the FELFEL fridge are fully customizable to companies’ schedules, only restocking fresh items on the days employees work in the office.

Subscription Food Boxes

Tailored to accommodate various dietary preferences, subscription food boxes are an excellent solution for hybrid workplaces. These boxes can be delivered directly to offices on a corresponding schedule, on the days of in-office attendance. On the other hand, this practice can generate more waste, so office managers or benefits leaders should consider looking into companies that use recyclable packaging and source food and snacks more locally to minimize their carbon footprint.

Flexible OFFICE Catering Services

Adaptable catering services are another great option for hybrid workplace settings. These services can dynamically adjust to daily headcounts, providing fresh meals as needed based on who is in the office each day. Such flexibility ensures that food is not only fresh but also minimizes waste, making catering efficient and responsive to the actual needs of the day. However, this option still requires that office managers or catering coordinators manually track and note each employee’s dietary needs and restrictions. Alternatively, services like FELFEL use smart technology to track consumption and preferences, intelligently adjusting the menu to reflect employees’ tastes — without the hassle.

The FELFEL fridge is stocked only on days that companies work in-office. Employees can enjoy chef-prepared meals without worrying about wasted food or expenses.

Scheduled group meals are a perfect opportunity to bring employees together and enhance team bonding and incentivize office attendance on specific days.

Scheduled Group Meals

Aligning group meals with in-office days is a strategic approach to enhance team bonding and integration, though it requires more thorough planning than the previous recommendations. Whether at a new neighborhood restaurant or with an in-office set-up, office managers and team leads can use group meals as an opportunity to bring employees together. For employees working remotely on these days, virtual options can be organized to allow full participation.

DIGITAL APPS

Lastly, digital meal planning tools allow office managers and office event organizers to note every employees’ tastes and dietary restrictions. Popular chains and food delivery apps often have group order options which allow individual employees to select their meal preferences well in advance, with the order finalized and submitted by the office manager at a designated deadline. This process can help better manage the logistics of office catering in a hybrid workplace, as long as all employees understand how to use the app and submit their meal preferences on time.

Overall, smart vending machines and flexible catering services are the best options for most hybrid companies and offices, since they offer both customizability and the least work for the employees. All hybrid office food solutions have their pros and cons, so it’s important to consider the unique circumstances of your company and what you prioritize, in terms of time, money, convenience, and quality.