A Lunch With… Tabitha Moran, Workplace Experience Lead at Web Summit

What is an employee meal programme and how does it work in London?

An employee meal programme is a recurring set-up where your team can order meals to the office on specific days, usually with company support. Employees select their dishes from a rotating menu, apply the subsidy at checkout, and meals arrive together, each labelled, within a set delivery window. It’s like having an office canteen without managing an in-house kitchen.

We don’t have a canteen. Can we still provide regular meals for staff?

Yes. A workplace food platform can act as a virtual canteen. You set the budget and the days (for example, Tuesday to Thursday), employees pre-order online, and everything is delivered to your London office ready to eat. You get all the benefits of staff meals without the cost and complexity of a physical canteen.

How does subsidised lunch work? Do employees pay part and we pay the rest?

Typically, you set a per-meal subsidy (for example, £7 per lunch). Employees see the full menu price, your contribution is automatically deducted, and they pay the remaining amount at checkout. You receive one consolidated invoice for your share, while employees enjoy discounted, high-quality lunches.

What’s the difference between office lunch catering and an employee meal programme?

Office lunch catering is usually on an ad hoc basis, for meetings, events, or one-off team lunches. An employee meal programme is structured and recurring: set days, pre-ordering, labelled meals, and clear subsidies. Many companies use both: catering for events, and a meal programme for weekly staff lunches.

Can employees choose their own meals and filter by diet?

Yes. With a modern office lunch platform, each person logs in, browses menus, and can filter by vegan, vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more. They see photos, ingredients, and allergen labels so they can feel confident in their choices.

How do you handle dietary requirements and allergies?

Menus clearly mark allergens and dietary options (for example, VG, V, GF, DF, HALAL), and those filters can be applied before browsing. Meals are labelled with names and allergens for safe distribution. You can also set rules (for example, always include a vegan and gluten-free main) to ensure dietary parity.

Is this suitable for hybrid teams in London?

Absolutely. Many London offices run meal programmes on anchor days (usually Tuesday to Thursday) when most people are in. You choose those days, set subsidies, and use food as a way to encourage in-office collaboration without mandating attendance.

How much do staff lunches cost per person in London?

Budgets vary, but most companies set a range of £8 to £12 per person per meal, depending on the cuisine and how generous the subsidy is. You can start with simpler items such as bowls and wraps, and adjust based on interest and feedback.

Can this replace our current office catering provider?

Yes. Many teams switch from traditional caterers to a self-service platform because it’s easier for employees and administrators. You typically get a better user experience (photos, filters, pre-ordering), clearer reporting, and less food waste compared to bulk buffet orders.

We’ve had bad user experiences before. What’s different about a modern platform?

Instead of spreadsheets and guesswork, staff see photos, descriptions, and filters in an intuitive interface. They can order days in advance, edit orders before the cut-off, and track what they’ve selected. Administrators have one dashboard for orders, invoices, and basic reporting, no more chasing or manual lists.

Can we offer breakfast as well as lunch?

Yes. Many London offices start with lunch and then add breakfast one or two days a week. Options can include yoghurt pots, fruit, breakfast wraps, and pastries on key days such as town halls, training mornings, or quarterly kick-offs.

Can you also help with office snacks and pantry supplies?

Usually, yes. The same provider managing lunches can often supply office snacks, fruit, and pantry items (for example, nuts, bars, milk alternatives, coffee). This keeps everything under one contract and one invoice, helping you maintain a consistent food experience throughout the week.

Do you offer sustainable or eco-friendly office catering in London?

Most modern providers work with sustainable London caterers who use recyclable or compostable packaging and lower-waste menus. Some also prioritise zero-emission delivery where possible. You can request sustainability reporting or guidelines to support your environmental goals.

Is there a social impact or meal donation option?

Some workplace food platforms include a meal donation feature, where part of each order funds meals for people in need. This can be a meaningful perk: employees feel their lunch choices contribute positively each time they order. 

At Feedr, we work with a meal-for-a-meal model: For every meal ordered on the Feedr platform, we donate another to a child in need across India and the UK through our partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

How do we know if the programme is working?

Track simple metrics: uptake percentage (how many eligible employees order), attendance on meal days, basic satisfaction feedback, and food waste. Most companies notice more team bonding, fewer ad hoc food runs, and better engagement once the programme is established.

How quickly can we get started?

For a single London office, you can usually go from decision to first lunch in one to three weeks: choose your days, set the subsidy, confirm headcount and dietary needs, then run a pilot. After a few weeks of feedback, you can refine menus, schedules, etc.

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