Food at Work Part 2: The Shift From Office Pantries to Fresh Food Micro Markets

Adapting to Food at Work Challenges Created by COVID-19

PART 2 OF A SERIES

THE SHIFT FROM OFFICE PANTIRES TO FRESH FOOD MICRO MARKETS

Not so long ago, an HR professional touring their facility with prospective employees might point to an open bank of food dispensers with pride. “We provide our employees with unlimited snacks and refreshments throughout their workday,” would be the sentiment, no doubt thinking of their office pantry as a recruiting tool to bring in and retain the best talent.

However, since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, that display of open, shared food bins would be more likely to bring about feelings of fear and anxiety from employees rather than pride and appreciation.

Most pantry service setups involve shared dispending bins for bulk snacks, and shared refrigerators for things like yogurts, cheeses and beverages. An open setup with lots of room to interact and mingle while enjoying a break and connecting face-to-face with colleagues.

By its nature, a pantry service is designed to promote interaction. Everyone touches the same snacks, handling products searching for what they might like for their morning pick-me-up or to combat the afternoon slump.

A situation like this can no longer exist while we continue to fight a pandemic. Shared food options are no longer a perk at work, but instead a source of concern.

micro market

That’s why an Avanti Micro Market makes more sense than ever. 

Employers can offer a huge variety of food and beverage options, while also greatly limiting the number of shared touchpoints. A micro market customer can easily make a contactless purchase meaning they can enter the market, select their products, and pay without touching any equipment by using the mobile app, debit/credit cards (swipe, insert or tap), or a mobile wallet. Stored value accounts can also be managed through the app or online, so there is no need to worry about reloads at the kiosk.

In addition to the added safety, many companies are finding that the increase in variety and freshness from their pantry setups is adding more benefits to their employees than a limited-item pantry service ever could. With more fresh and healthy options and more choices, employee satisfaction is positively impacted.

While some employers may think they are giving up a free perk to their employees by eliminating pantry service in favor of a micro market, that does not have to be the case. Avanti micro markets offer the option to provide a meal allowance on a daily or weekly basis, distribute one-time use coupons, or even work with their market operator to subsidize costs for employees. This actually offers more control to employees on how their food benefit is used. They can choose what they want to eat from the large variety found in the market instead of being limited to what is offered in the office pantry.

There is generally no cost to install a micro market, and Avanti can connect you with the right operator in your area to assess your needs and plan for the right setup. Companies can give up the headaches of managing a food program and let their local Avanti operator take care of the equipment installation, product stocking and account management. All you need to provide is the space for your new market, power and internet access.

Avanti Markets can help you make the switch from pantry service to a micro market to help meet the changing needs of food service at work.

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