October 2020 - Riverside Refreshments

A carefully planned and well-stocked micro-market is an employee benefit that isn’t fully appreciated until experienced. Employees have access to an inviting and relaxing space with a customizable menu full of delicious products, from fresh food, coffee, healthy alternatives, and cold beverages to everyone’s favorite snacks.

Augusta employers need to consider the types of refreshments and the overall physical space available when determining a break room’s design and menu. The reason is related to recent research performed by Packaged Facts, an expert in research and analysis.

According to David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, “There’s a surging fluidity to modern mealtimes. The reality is U.S. adults are increasingly eating differently.” The adults that Sprinkle is referring to are Gen Z (18- to 24-years-old) and Millennials (25- to 34-years-old).

Not only did the research show that fewer adults are eating “breakfast before 9 am, lunch before 1 pm, and dinner before 8 pm,” but more participants are eating several smaller meals throughout the day instead of the traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Getting back to Augusta break rooms and the micro-market, offering a wide selection of options has a higher chance of meeting the needs of employees who consume various meals at traditional and nontraditional times of the day.

The first of several reasons why a micro-market is a great option is the break room’s overall look and feel. Each micro-market layout is custom designed to fit your unique space and offers an updated look and shopping experience. With open racks, shelves, and glass door coolers, employees can browse and pick up items and read labels before deciding.

Access to the micro-market 24/7 is the second benefit. With modern technology, employees can access snacks, beverages, and fresh food at any time of the day, whether it is 10:00 am or 10:00 pm. Self-checkout kiosks, mobile apps, and security systems remove the need for additional employees to monitor the break room and track product inventory levels.

The third benefit is that we take care of it all. With fully automated technology, we receive data about real-time product purchases. Using that information, we can rotate in more of the products your Augusta employees enjoy and add new products to keep things interesting.

A micro-market is truly a sought-after break room benefit. Access at any time of the day plus a variety of delicious refreshments equals happier employees and a boost in workplace morale. Are you ready to take the next step?

For more information about micro-markets or other break room refreshment options, including office coffee service, please contact Riverside Refreshments at 706-793-2723.

Making sure that Augusta essential employees have access to healthy and traditional snacks and beverages in the break room is important especially during this challenging time. Offering a variety of on-site options makes it easier for employees to grab a bite to eat, enjoy a hot beverage or take a few minutes to relax.

Combine the need for easily accessible refreshment options with the challenges that employees had locating better-for-you choices before the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s easy to understand why eating healthy can be a challenge.

A recent survey conducted by the American Heart Association and Aramark, a U.S. based food service company, found that participants were more likely to choose an unhealthy lunch because of convenience (60 percent), taste preference (54 percent), and lack of ability of healthy foods (43 percent). But that doesn’t mean things won’t or can’t change. “More than 4 in 5 (82%) agree that having healthy food options at work is important to them and more than 2 in 3 (68%) value help from their employer in becoming healthier.”

While choosing better-for-you is important, there is one caveat that should be considered. Given the unprecedented stress levels that Augusta employees are under, sometimes traditional or sweet snacks, beverages and fresh food can fulfill an emotional or mental need that wouldn’t arise in normal circumstances.

Rather than assuming which products employees would like to have available, employers should survey their employees to find out. Different individuals will have different preferences that develop from a number of factors including upbringing, genetics, culture, and individual experiences.

For those Augusta employees who are looking for a better-for-you snack, that usually means a snack that has a high nutritional value or one that is high in protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber but low in calories, fat, sugar and sodium.

Ideally, a serving of a healthy snack will have between 150 and 200 calories, about 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein and no more than 12 grams of fat. Choosing fiber and protein will help create a feeling of fullness while avoiding saturated fats, which raise LDL or “bad” cholesterol, can help decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Whether Augusta employees are looking for better-for-you snacks and beverages, traditional options or delicious, freshly made meals, access to variety of refreshments at work is an appreciated benefit. It can also encourage essential employees to stay on-site during breaks and give them the necessary fuel and hydration to focus on their job.

Riverside Refreshments would like to help your local business, especially during this challenging time, by providing the refreshments your employees need. For more information about our micro-market and vending machine services, please contact us at 706-793-2723.

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