5 reasons to provide your staff with lunch

Recent studies, including those by the Harvard Business Review, Cornell University, and the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), have consistently shown that providing staff with lunch has a range of positive outcomes, from boosting productivity to enhancing job satisfaction. In today’s hybrid working world, offering healthy and convenient lunches has never been more important. Here are five compelling reasons to prioritize this for your team in 2025:

1. Restart Your Office and Rebuild Team Culture

As offices transition to hybrid or fully in-person setups post-remote work, rebuilding team culture has become a priority. Shared lunches can serve as a powerful tool to bring staff back together and foster stronger connections. Research shows that shared meals promote a sense of belonging and increase attendance at in-office days. At companies that offer lunch, office attendance often reaches near 100% on those days. With modern solutions, such as catered, allergy-friendly, and diverse meal options, providing a safe and enjoyable lunch experience is more feasible than ever.

2. Strengthen Teambuilding

Breaking bread together—whether it’s over sandwiches or salads—has been shown to release oxytocin, a hormone linked to trust and bonding. Informal conversations during lunch breaks create opportunities for employees to connect across departments, strengthen relationships, and build team spirit. According to a study by Cornell University, teams that eat together collaborate more effectively. In fact, firefighters who shared meals reported significantly better teamwork. Why not bring this kind of camaraderie to your workplace?

3. Re-energize Your Team and Improve Productivity

A healthy, shared lunch break isn’t just a feel-good moment—it directly impacts performance. Research by the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) indicates that a nutritious meal can boost productivity by up to 25%. Additionally, conversations during lunch can spark innovative ideas and problem-solving, while employees return to work feeling refreshed and energized.

4. Retain and Attract Key Talent

In the competitive 2025 job market, small perks like team lunches can make a big difference. Prospective employees often evaluate companies based on their commitment to staff well-being. Offering a regular lunch benefit is an affordable way to signal your care for employees’ happiness and work-life balance, helping you retain top talent and appeal to new hires.

5. Promote Health and Reduce Absenteeism

Good health is crucial to workplace productivity, and a nutritious lunch contributes to both physical and mental well-being. Studies show that employees who enjoy balanced meals during work hours experience less stress and greater job satisfaction. Reduced stress translates into fewer sick days and higher engagement levels. Providing healthy lunches is an investment in your team’s overall health and a proactive way to minimize absenteeism.

A Focus on Well-Being in the Hybrid Era

In today’s hybrid work environment, promoting employee well-being requires creativity and flexibility. While many employees work remotely, you can still foster team connections through initiatives like weekly "collaboration days" with in-office lunches or virtual lunch events where meals are delivered to employees’ homes. These efforts signal that your organization values its staff’s health, happiness, and sense of community.

Ready to Provide Lunch for Your Team?

For fresh, delicious lunches delivered to your office in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Rotterdam, or beyond, contact Feedr. We’ll handle the logistics so you can focus on building a healthier, happier workplace. Email us at orders.nl@feedr.co to get started!

Sources:

• Take Your Lunch Break – Harvard Business Review (2021)
• Groups Eat Together, Perform Better Together – Cornell University (2015)
• Self-Rated Job Performance and Absenteeism – Health Enhancement Research Organization (2013)

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