Nestled in most big companies OH&S commitments is a phrase or two about how important employee wellness is. Yet when given a chance to “walk the talk” how many E.A.s. follow through by ordering healthy food for meetings?

Based on our experience we have two answers to this question – the first is disturbing and the second is more encouraging.

      1. The disturbing - Less than 15% of corporate catering orders we receive are 100% healthy

      2. The encouraging – this percentage is increasing by approx. 5% per year

The evidence is mounting that the bottom line impact of assisting employees to eat healthier foods at work is significant.

Whilst there have been many more studies done in the U.K. and U.S.A. we can fairly confidently draw similar conclusions in Australian workplaces.

The major benefits to companies who use nutritional food supply as a central component of a wellness program centre on

• Increased Productivity – 25% increase for employees who only eat healthy foods at work {1} also supported in an Australian study {2} which indicated the healthiest employees work 143 effective hours/month vs 49 hours for the unhealthiest.

• Reduced Absenteeism – 27% less days off for workers who ate healthy foods and exercised regularly {1}

• Improved organizational culture leading to better retention of motivated employees – with organisations without a wellness plan 4 times more likely to lose talented employees

Whilst not all Australian companies provide internal canteen/café facilities most do provide corporate catering on a regular basis. Generally, E.A.s wield considerable power in the choice of caterer – and should be using this power to set an example of wellness for the whole organization to follow.

Fortunately, Sydney caterers are starting to make it easier to order 100% healthy options that still tick the taste and presentation box.

Healthy breakfast options such as porridge, yoghurt and fruit skewers are replacing bacon and egg rolls and pastries. High carbohydrate white bread sandwiches have evolved into wraps and salads. Even the ubiquitous party pie is being nudged off the office party menu in favour of Vietnamese rice paper rolls.

The effect on your organization will be remarkable – with another study suggesting investment in wellness initiatives save $5.81 for each $1 invested {4}

For more ideas on healthy catering check out www.wholesomeworks.com.au