Workplace Meal Programs vs. Catering

You may be tasked with ordering food for your company and need help with where to start. This brief corporate catering guide will give you an understanding of workplace meal programs versus catering and what you need for your application.

What Is a Workplace Meal Program?

A workplace meal program is a recurring plan with a local food provider to bring meals to employees at varying intervals. Most companies choose workplace meal programs for lunches, but these programs are customizable to fit a variety of schedules and requirements. Meal programs have several uses and benefits, such as:

• A perk to help with employee retention.
• A cost-effective way for employees to access healthy meals through subsidized pricing.
• A solution for when there are no good dining or lunching options near the place of work.
• A way to promote team connection and engagement by making it easy to share a meal on-site.

What Is Corporate Catering?

Corporate catering is when a business delivers food for an organization’s employees or clients. This catering may be for a one-time event like a seminar, meeting or teambuilding. 

You can opt for individual orders, boxed-styled lunches or family-style meals depending on the size of the crowd and the event type.

Which Is Right for You?

Ultimately, deciding between a regular program for workplace dining and occasional corporate catering depends on your company’s circumstances and needs for providing meals. Workplace catering and meal programs offer benefits for your employees and clients.

How Your Team Benefits

Giving employees free meals or offering catered services is vital for creating an employee-centric company culture. Corporate catering delivers various benefits:

• Increases productivity: On-site meals enhance employee productivity. Employees won’t have to leave your premises to get food. Also, taking a break to refuel and eat can increase employee efficiency, concentration and output.
• Boosts morale: Free food programs show you care for your employees and their well-being. This care is a great way to boost employee morale and engagement and increase job satisfaction. 
• Fosters connections: Sharing a meal is an exceptional way for employees to connect. The communal aspect can inspire great collaboration and camaraderie in your workplace. 
• Encourages healthy living: By offering nutritious and delicious meals, employees won’t be tempted to eat high-fat or high-sugar foods when the mid-afternoon slump happens. Healthy food can help improve employees’ overall health and well-being and enhances short-term focus and productivity. 
• Improves employee retention: In a competitive job market, you must keep high-performing employees engaged and motivated to stay with the company. Free food programs and catering for events show your staff appreciation. Offering workplace dining options, whether on a regular or occasional basis, is crucial in employee retention and attracting new, top talent to your organization.

Contact Us for Catering or Workplace Meal Programs

At Superfine Kitchen, we can assist you whether you need tasty, fresh workplace meal programs or delicious workplace catering for an upcoming event. We’re a San Francisco Green Business Program member, bringing flavorful and sustainable catering practices to your office door. We deliver throughout the Bay Area!

If you need guidance on how often to cater employee meals, what options are available and what will work best for your organization, connect with us. We’ll happily discuss your meal program and catering needs.