A Matter of Taste: How Healthy Eating in the Workplace Is Transforming Companies

• Food for thought: counting calories is not everything
• Langes Gemüseglück: circular economy in the office
• Success stories from the business world
• Organic Garden: The future of company catering
• Scientific basis: Why it works
• Action plan for tomorrow
• Looking ahead: More than just a trend

Imagine your company as an orchestra. Each employee is an instrument, and together they create a symphony. What happens when one instrument is out of tune? The harmony breaks down. The same applies to nutrition in the workplace. A balanced diet is not only fuel for the body, but also for the mind.

A study by Harvard Business Review emphasizes that a healthy diet improves cognitive function, reduces stress and increases productivity. Companies like Google have recognized this and offer their employees free, healthy meals. The result? Higher satisfaction and performance.

Enter the world of Langes Gemüseglück, a startup that is reimagining the potential of biowaste. Rather than treating food scraps from cafeterias as waste, they turn them into worm humus – a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer. This is used not only for the company's own herb gardens, but is also made available to employees for their own plants.

Interactive workshops raise awareness of topics such as soil health, the circular economy and food waste. The result is a closed cycle within the company that reduces waste and creates added value for everyone.

Pragmatic steps for management:

• Implement a bio-waste recycling system: Reduce waste fees and promote sustainability.
• Involve employees through workshops: Strengthen environmental awareness and promote team spirit.
• Providing worm humus: A practical benefit that increases engagement.

There are companies that are already showing how effective nutrition programs can strengthen the workforce:

1. SAP Germany: SAP has introduced the “Smart Eating” concept in its canteens, which focuses on healthy, regional and seasonal foods. According to internal reports, this has led to higher employee motivation and lower absenteeism due to illness.
2. Unilever: Through its Lamplighter program, Unilever invests in employee well-being, including nutrition counseling and healthy cafeteria options. One study showed a 6% increase in productivity.
3. Johnson & Johnson: Its Healthy & Me program offers comprehensive health resources, including nutrition workshops. As a result, 70% of participating employees improved their eating habits.

Pragmatic steps for management:

• Analyze existing offerings: Identify opportunities for improvement in your current employee dining options.
• Conduct employee surveys: Understand the needs and desires of your workforce.
• Launch pilot programs: Start with small initiatives and scale up if successful.

Organic Garden is revolutionizing the way companies think about nutrition. With a focus on regional organic food and innovative farming methods such as vertical farming, they bring fresh, healthy meals directly to offices.

Digital platforms allow employees to personalize their meals and learn more about the origin of their food. This transparent model not only promotes health, but also raises awareness of sustainable consumption.

Pragmatic steps for management:

• Partner with sustainable suppliers: Offer healthy and varied meals.
• Transparency and education: Provide information about the origin of food and promote conscious consumption.
• Digitization of nutrition: Use apps and platforms for personalized meal planning.

The positive effects of healthy eating are not just based on anecdotal evidence. Companies with strong health and wellness programs perform better on the stock market than others, and some experts believe that the investment community could benefit by taking a closer look at health and wellness indicators when evaluating companies.

1. Set up an interdisciplinary team: involve HR, facility management and interested employees.
2. Set clear goals: What do you want to achieve? A reduction in sick leave, an increase in satisfaction?
3. Budgeting and resource planning: Identify financial and human resources.
4. Communication is key: Provide transparent information about planned measures and get feedback.
5. Measure and adapt: Define KPIs and adjust your strategy based on the results.

The integration of healthy nutrition in the workplace is not a passing fad, but a necessary evolution in corporate management. In a globalized world where talent can choose where to work, such initiatives are a decisive competitive advantage.

The upcoming ISPO Corporate Health Hub will focus on this topic. It provides a platform for exchanging best practices and developing new strategies. Now is the time to take the first step and set the course for a healthier, more productive future.