October Insights Fresh Out the Pantry

Smell that? It's not just pumpkin spice lattes wafting through the air; it's the scent of workplaces settling into a new rhythm.

As we head into the last quarter of 2024, it's clear that workplaces are embracing a hybrid approach where the office becomes a hub for collaboration, connection, and creativity. With that shift, the employee experience and how that relates to company values is at the forefront of every executive's mind.

This month's insights focus on how companies can build culture by aligning daily practices with core values. To achieve this authentically, your team needs to be present in a casual space with the right tools to spark meaningful conversations.

Office 'Busyness' Reaches a New Peak

According to the Office Busyness Index, 28 out of 41 cities are seeing a boost in office traffic.

Offices across the nation are busier than ever. Avison Young's Office Busyness Index found that cities such as NYC, DC and San Francisco are seeing double-digit growth in overall office traffic compared to last year.

Avison Young

Although national occupancy is around 61.9% of pre-pandemic levels, some interesting trends emerge from the data:

• High-end commercial properties, known as Trophy properties, have the highest occupancy rates. These are premium, often newly constructed or renovated buildings located in prime areas.
• Instead of big tech, it's engineering, consumer products, finance, and others returning to the office. The study even shows that the banking industry has returned to nearly 90% of pre-pandemic occupancy.
• A structured hybrid approach is likely behind this increase, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday being the busiest days. Even Mondays have seen a 5% to 30% bump in office traffic compared to last year.

The tea: Employees are more than willing to adopt a hybrid schedule. All they ask in return is that the company caters to their daily needs. No biggie, right?

In a hybrid world, investing in your office experience is no longer just a nice-to-have—it's essential for success. Our latest Office Pantry Budgeting Report discovered that cities embracing hybrid work invest 22% more in their office pantry than the national average.

"The employee experience has become more holistic," says Crafty CEO Nate Rosenstock. "Food is at the center of that experience. The shared experience of food is like talking about the weather. It's something that everyone can partake in and is the entry point to deeper, more meaningful conversations. A pantry program is a strategic tool that can lead to better camaraderie, better output and better business outcomes."

Culture Thrives on Practices, Not Policies

Gallup's latest report suggests investing in your culture is good for business.

Gallup's latest report delivers some serious food for thought: less than a third of employees feel fully engaged at work. And that's a problem because disengaged employees mean missed opportunities. But here's the kicker—fixing it isn't just about making employees "happier." Engaged teams deliver real, measurable results:

• 23% more profitable 🤑
• 18% more productive 🚀
• 81% less absenteeism 🙌
• And let's not forget lower turnover, saving you from that endless cycle of hiring and training.

So, what's the magic solution? It's not some fancy new policy, and it's definitely not some top-down mandate.

Nope, the secret lies in the little things. Culture isn't a one-time initiative or something you plaster on the walls—it happens in casual moments that happen on a regular basis.  

The tea: Use your office pantry to facilitate those moments. Here are the key elements to remember:

• Trust isn't built in boardrooms; it's built in break rooms: Think about it, most of your team's authentic connections don't happen during a formal meeting. They happen while grabbing a coffee or debating over which office candy is the most underrated. That's where employees build trust, exchange ideas, and bond with coworkers.
• Use your pantry footprint to harness the power of connection: Think about how the physical space encourages (or discourages) interaction. A well-designed pantry space can become a natural meeting point where people from different departments, who may not interact during their regular workday, cross paths and connect. These interactions break down silos, spark new ideas, and strengthen the bonds that make teams resilient.
• Use your office snacks to communicate a larger value: Is it just a snack, or can it communicate something more? By carefully curating the products in your pantry, you can connect with your employees on a shared mission. Want to show your commitment to sustainability? Stock a brand like Barnana and ensure you have bulk snack and drink options. Want to lift up marginalized communities? Feature snacks from women-owned or BIPOC-owned brands like Coco5 or MadeGood.

Sustainable Grains Are Shaping the Future of Food

According to Food Dive, sustainable grains are the rising star ingredient.

Sustainability isn't just about packaging; it's about how our food is grown and the agricultural practices we adopt to protect our planet. A recent report found that:

• 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food production.
• 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture.
• 78% of global ocean and freshwater eutrophication is caused by agriculture, leading to pollution in our waterways.

With such significant environmental impacts, it's clear we need to rethink the types of food we are eating.

Enter grains like quinoa, farro, and buckwheat. These nutrient-packed grains are not only healthy but also champions of the regenerative agriculture movement, requiring less water and fertilizer. They're good for both you and the planet.

The tea: Incorporating sustainable grains into your office pantry is easier than you think. You don't have to grow your own snacks; you simply have to choose snacks with ingredients that align with your values.

Lucky for you, we already did the research and here are some snack recommendations made with sustainable grains:

• Undercover Snacks' Milk Chocolate Quinoa Crisps [includes Quinoa]
• Food Should Taste Good Tortilla Chips, Blue Corn [includes Quinoa]
• Nature's Path Sunrise Cereal, Crunchy Maple [includes Quinoa, Amaranth and Buckwheat]

Conclusion

As we settle into this new office rhythm, here are the takeaways from our October insights:

• Busy Offices: The rise in office traffic signals a renewed commitment to collaboration, with a structured hybrid approach becoming the norm.
• Cultural Connection: Companies build culture through daily casual moments. All that's needed is the right space that makes people feel comfortable and the right tools for sparking meaningful conversations.
• Sustainable Choices: Embracing sustainable grains in office snacks aligns with environmental values and enhances the overall employee experience.

This is your shot at building a workplace that connects with your employee's values. We may not all be young or scrappy, but one thing is for sure…we're all hungry!

Want to sip on more insights? Connect with our CEO Nate on LinkedIn!