Office Pantry

13 January 2017

I’m pretty sure that there’s a snacking culture that exists in each and every office. It is arguably the most detrimental aspect of a workplace to one’s waistline and yet there is a way to combat those ‘tummy grumblings’ without reaching for the Galaxy Counters…Oh, is that just me?! That is, reaching for something that is actually nutritionally worthwhile…Now, healthy snacks are notoriously expensive – anything specialist (sugar-free, vegan-friendly or sans gluten for example) or dare I say it, organic, bumps up the price tag beyond that of the humble Mars Bar which consequently makes for a much less attractive option. Though Office Pantry* have come up with a way to healthify your workplace so that you have an assortment of nibbles at your disposal - on a daily basis - which don’t cost the earth and can be tailored to the tastes of your team…Sourced from British independent food producers and taste-tested by the founding creators’ Grandmothers (yes, really), Office Pantry deliver pallets of high-quality snacks, plus fresh fruit, soft drinks and even team-building tipples, to offices across the South of England. You can opt from a range of packages to accommodate the inhabitants of your office and snacks can work out under £1 each which I reckon is really rather reasonable. Fruit boxes and drinky poos vary in price but jotting down your requirements on the online enquiry form results in a phone call to discuss the finer details pretty much within the hour. I mean, I was seriously impressed that Oli from Office Pantry’s super friendly team gave me a jingle a mere 10  minutes after I pressed send on my request for a ‘snack sample box’. It will come as no surprise that I like to talk about food...a lot and so, the natter that ensued was pretty much the highlight of my afternoon whereby I was both professionally informed of how Office Pantry operates and quizzed about my colleagues’ snacking habits, (biscuits…We like biscuits!) As a result of this, I received my complimentary ‘taster’ portion the very next day which effectively showcased the kind of edibles that would be provided; tasty morsels like mini pesto breadsticks and mixed nuts that kept me fuelled throughout the day, minus the sugar slump that usually hits around mid-afternoon. Other edibles include seeded cereal bars, dried fruit crisps and popcorn – all of which can be requested before Monday’s delivery if there is something specific that tickles your fancy.

My big question was ultimately how offices typically fund this snack-sesh – I mean, I wasn’t going to personally shell out £37 per delivery (which incidentally is the cost of one Snack Pack based on an office of between 10-15 people) to feed my colleagues – sorry guys! Oli explained that although some managers foot the bill for such deliveries, other offices clubbed together to split the cost of what would constitute 37 items designed to last around a week. Others set up an honesty box so that once the direct debit had been settled, individuals could adhere to an itemised price list to pay for their chosen fare, (which, in turn, could pay back the initiator or fund the next delivery). Obviously I’m primarily focussing on snacking here (see aforementioned admission of culinary obsessiveness) but locally-sourced fruit boxes can be purchased from £20 per delivery and milk can be added to orders to make that age-old question of; ‘whose turn is it to get the milk’ a thing of the past. Add bespoke orders of porridge pots (ideal for those inconsiderate people who like to plan meetings over breakfast), alcoholic beverages (Friday wind-down anyone!?) or monthly deliveries of artisanally produced biltong (well, just because) to the mix and you have a company that pretty much covers the gastronomical needs of your workplace.

The folk at Office Pantry report that researchers found we are 62% more likely to get things wrong when in a hungry state which seems to suggest that an office’s productivity depends on snacking. Add to this that there is arguably no better way to unite a team than pouring over a collection of snacks to enjoy as part of a week at the coalface and you’re on to a winner – I thought my loyalty to my bi-weekly Graze box would never waver but step aside, collective consumption is the way forward! Don’t just take my word for it, order your trial box here. You’re welcome!

References:
*https://www.officepantry.co.uk/