Workplace Wellbeing and Productivity: Why Food Matters More Than Ever
Creating healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces through nutrition-led catering
As more companies encourage teams back to the office, employees are sending a clear message: workplace wellbeing is still missing the mark.
Recent Human Experience research by JLL shows that eight out of twelve wellbeing factors, from nutrition and flexibility to workspace comfort, are failing to meet employee expectations. And with nearly two-thirds of employees citing their commute as the biggest barrier to returning to the office, the challenge starts long before they arrive at their desks.
The return-to-office reality
The data shows that four in ten firms now want employees in the office five days a week, and even hybrid organisations expect more in-office days by 2030.
But as attendance rises, employee satisfaction is falling. For businesses focused on long-term productivity and retention, this means one thing: it’s time to rethink how the workplace genuinely supports wellbeing.
Food: the foundation of workplace wellbeing
When it comes to creating a culture that supports both health and performance, food plays a central role.
Staff restaurants, canteens and cafés are now the most valued workplace amenities. Yet satisfaction with food and nutrition has dropped ten places since 2023, making it the lowest-scoring aspect of workplace experience.
As people return to the office, food quality and variety have become increasingly important and younger employees value healthier choices but often bring lunch from home to save money.
At Pow Food, we see this trend first-hand. Nutritious, sustainable food isn’t just fuel - it’s a powerful driver of engagement, focus, and morale. When teams eat well, they perform well.
💡 Tip: Companies that invest in nutrition-led catering, such as subsidised healthy meals, seasonal menus, and balanced snacks, either every day or a couple of days a week - see measurable improvements in employee wellbeing, satisfaction, and productivity.
The basics still matter
Three-quarters of employers say collaboration is the main reason for bringing people back into the office, but the shift from fixed desks to open “we spaces” has created new challenges.
While employees still spend about half their time on focused work, they often struggle with distractions and lack of quiet zones. Add to that an average of 14 meetings per week, many hybrid, and it’s no wonder people crave calm, well-designed environments, and energising food options to keep them going.
Green spaces and mental recharge
Access to outdoor and green space continues to be one of the most valued aspects of workplace design. Courtyards, terraces and rooftop gardens don’t just look good, they boost mental wellness, creativity, and productivity.
Forward-thinking workplaces are also taking cues from WELL Certified buildings, which are pioneering environments designed around human health and performance, integrating nutrition, air quality, light, movement, and mental wellbeing into every aspect of the workspace.
London’s One Carter Lane, home to Cundall’s office, became Europe’s first WELL Certified building in 2016, setting the benchmark for healthier workplaces. Since then, others such as Myo Liverpool Street and YY London at 30 South Colonnade have achieved WELL Platinum certification for creating spaces that actively support employee wellbeing. The Crown Estate has also adopted the WELL standard, with several of its buildings - including its headquarters at 1 St James’s Market, certified to this benchmark for healthy, sustainable workplaces.
At Pow (Power of Wellness) Food, we share this philosophy: that nourishment is at the core of workplace wellbeing, and that food should be considered a vital pillar of any healthy, high-performing workspace.
Wellbeing needs to feel natural
Although onsite gyms and yoga rooms are increasingly common, they’re not always fully used. Employees often prefer wellbeing benefits that fit their lifestyle, like discounted gym memberships or flexible wellness stipends.
True wellbeing in the workplace is holistic, it meets people where they are and starts with the fundamentals: balanced nutrition, a supportive environment, and time to recharge.
The takeaway: nourish your people, power your business
Workplace wellbeing isn’t just about perks or policies - it’s about how people feel every day at work.
Businesses that prioritise nutrition-led, sustainable catering build stronger cultures, reduce absenteeism, and boost engagement across their teams. As the workplace continues to evolve, nourishing your people is the most effective way to power productivity and purpose.
At Pow Food, we help businesses deliver wellbeing through sustainable catering, from daily office meals to event catering that supports focus, energy, and team connection.
