The Office Oasis: Nurturing Employee Well-being through Healthy Snacks and Beverages

Workplace wellness has become a hot topic in recent years, and for good reason. Employers have recognized that the well-being of their employees directly impacts productivity, engagement, and overall company success. As a result, there has been a growing trend of prioritizing employee wellness and creating a supportive work environment. One aspect of workplace wellness that has gained significant attention is the provision of healthy office snacks and a variety of wellness beverages as amenities in the workplace. Gone are the days of vending machines filled with sugary snacks and stale coffee. Employers are now embracing the idea that what employees consume throughout the workday plays a vital role in their energy levels, focus, and overall health. The trend of workplace amenities have now shifted into expectations and demands that current and prospective employees weigh when choosing where to work. By incorporating these offerings into office spaces, employers demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being and create an environment that fosters productivity and engagement. Healthy office snacks and kegged cold brew coffee go beyond mere perks; they are investments in the physical and mental health of employees, which ultimately translates into improved job performance and job satisfaction. Achieving peace and wellness have become staple desires in the workplace and simultaneously go hand in hand with employee productivity because when you feel good you do good.

The New Workplace Standard

In today's fast-paced work environments, employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of employee wellness and satisfaction. As a result, providing amenities that support a healthy lifestyle and promote well-being has become a top priority. According to a 2022 Forbes Report, the most requested post-pandemic office amenities are relaxation spaces, healthy food services, and outdoor spaces which emphasize an opportunity for employers to support employee health and wellbeing. The figure as a whole demonstrates a gap between expectation and access to such amenities, therefore modernizing offices can separate themselves from the competition to enhance their workplace productivity as well as attract talented prospective employees. Incorporating healthy office snacks and a variety of beverages into office spaces offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it provides employees with convenient access to nutritious options that fuel their bodies and promote well-being. By offering a variety of wholesome snacks, such as fresh fruits, nuts, and yogurt, employers support their employees' physical health, which in turn leads to higher productivity and reduced absenteeism. Offering healthy snacks and kegged cold brew coffee by employers provide employees with a sustainable source of energy throughout the workday. Unlike sugary or processed snacks that lead to energy crashes, nutritious snacks, such as fresh fruits, granola bars, or vegetable sticks with hummus, provide a steady release of energy. Nutrient-dense snacks, such as those rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, provide essential nutrients that support cognitive function and mental clarity. These snacks fuel the brain, helping employees stay focused and attentive throughout the day.

Sip, Snack, Succeed

Along with healthy-snacking, providing quality beverages throughout the day for employees has become extremely important in streamlining office output but also uplifting office morale. Offices that provide a variety of coffee flavors, strengths, and add-ins demonstrate a commitment to employee satisfaction by allowing them to be their own barista. According to a 2021 Mintel report, coffee consumption and sales have and are projected to increase because the pandemic marked a period of at-home coffee experimentation and exploration. Consumers’ interest in premium home coffee experiences represents a key growth opportunity for coffee brands as well as coffee-adjacent categories such as creamers to provide that same quality and variety in-person to attract workers to return back to normalcy. 

In addition to our award winning nitro cold brew on tap, Commonwealth Joe is proud to serve several different beverages to workplace offices such as our passion fruit black tea, non-alcoholic lime or grapefruit seltzer, and kombucha. According to the same 2021 Mintel report, tea has seen a large increase in interest and consumption since the pandemic as consumers have continued to focus on both their physical and emotional health in 2021 because of the lingering pandemic and the emergence of the delta variant. One of the most important trends in non-alcoholic beverages, tea is performing well above pre-pandemic dollar sales, with sales estimated to close out at $1.9 billion. Kombucha is a probiotic powerhouse that is rich in probiotics to improve digestion and enhance immunity. Grand View Research predicts that the global kombucha market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.6% from 2022 to 2030 to reach USD 9.70 billion by 2030. Offering a range of unique flavors and benefits, kombucha is key to having a balanced diet as its detoxification support and antioxidant support can help weight loss, mental clarity, or daily immunity. At Commonwealth Joe, we are proud to energize offices around the country with our hand-crafted cold brew but also provide healthy beverage alternatives for every palette. 

The Gathering Grounds

In today's fast-paced work environments, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among employees is crucial for a thriving workplace culture. Shared snack areas and coffee breaks can play a significant role in creating this sense of community, enhancing collaboration, and increasing employee engagement. These amenities not only provide nourishment and caffeine boosts but also serve as social hubs where colleagues can connect and build relationships. Shared snack areas and coffee breaks act as gathering spaces where employees from different departments or teams can come together. It creates opportunities for spontaneous conversations, casual interactions, and relationship-building outside formal work settings. When employees share a break space and have the chance to chat over a cup of coffee or while grabbing a snack, they foster a stronger sense of community and connection within the organization. Cross-departmental connections create workplace cohesion and community that is attractive to prospective employees and satisfying to current ones who are proud and excited to come into work. Prospective employees are often drawn to workplaces that prioritize employee well-being and provide spaces for social interaction. When employees feel a sense of community and connection with their colleagues, their overall engagement levels tend to increase. Sharing a snack area or taking coffee breaks together creates opportunities for employees to bond, share experiences, and feel a part of a larger team. This sense of belonging and engagement translates into higher job satisfaction, increased loyalty, and a willingness to go the extra mile for the organization.

The Path to Operational Excellence

Implementing a high-quality kegged beverage option and snack program in the workplace offers numerous practical benefits. From streamlined operations to time and resource savings, these programs provide convenience and efficiency for office managers. At Commonwealth Joe, we understand the need for reliability and flexibility which is why we pride ourselves in serving all kinds of businesses with our flexible subscription plans, easy scaling options, and ability to adapt to varying office sizes and locations. Providing naturally smooth and creamy cold brew coffee on tap, along with a variety of other beverages, Commonwealth Joe reliably serves offices with trackable keg deliveries, easy maintenance, and responsive customer service so that coffee delivery is consistent and your last worry. By partnering with a reliable vendor that offers a full-service solution, office managers can enjoy the convenience of hassle-free delivery and maintenance while focusing on their core responsibilities. At the same time, employees will be greatly satisfied by the variety of energizing beverages available and brain food to fuel their deliverables and produce exceptional results. 

Taking the Next Step

The connection between food and mood is well-established, and the provision of healthy snacks can contribute significantly to employee well-being and office culture. Nutritious snacks contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support brain health and the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Furthermore, the enjoyment and indulgence of healthy beverages can boost morale, providing a pleasurable experience that enhances the overall mood in the workplace. The need for healthy office snacks and a variety of beverage options have become staples in enhancing workplace experience and productivity as office decision makers are able to attract and retain employees by showing a strong commitment to employee satisfaction. Businesses love and continue to use Commonwealth Joe as their trusted partner in fueling their success because of how easy it is to call and order a keg delivery of your favorite beverages (and we have many) right to your office door on time with no questions asked. We encourage you to get in touch with our sales team by scheduling a call, filling out a webform, or sending an email to info@commonwealthjoe.com so we can energize your small business!

By: Benjamin Do 

Blog post assisted by ChatGPT.