5 Questions to Ask When Stocking the Office Kitchen

5 questions to ask when stocking up the Office Kitchen

Do you want to manage the process yourself?

If you do, you will need to follow a series of steps:

1. Keep track of stock levels
2. Place your order with the supplier(s)
3. Schedule the delivery and unpack your items

Alternatively, you can find a company that takes care of these tasks for you. While outsourcing will be slightly more expensive, it will save you a lot of time, stress, and hassle.

How many suppliers do you want to work with?

When it comes to snacks and drinks, you can choose to work with one supplier who covers everything or partner up with multiple specialist suppliers. A single supplier strategy can be beneficial because you will only have to liaise with one company, minimising the amount of time and energy you will devote to stocking your fridge. On the other hand, using a single source of supply makes you more vulnerable to supply interruption and means you have a greater reliance on your chosen supplier. In other words, if there are any issues with them you run the risk of ending up with an empty pantry.

If you opt for working with multiple specialist suppliers, you’ll have access to a wider range of products. Do you have a preference for a particular energy drink? Is there a brand of coffee you are fond of? If you’re working with more than one supplier, chances are someone will be able to your needs no matter how specific they are. Working with multiple suppliers also gives you more flexibility to cope with unexpected events. If for some reason Supplier X can’t deliver your fruit basket on time, the crisps and nuts supplied by Supplier Y can aid your hungry workers in the meantime.

Have you surveyed your staff?

Run a survey with staff to discover preferences and dietary requirements. It's important vegans, coeliacs, and others with dietary restrictions should not be an afterthought. It is essential that you find out if any members of the team have serious allergies, as cross-contamination can pose serious threats to their health. Negotiate with senior management to find a solution that fits your budget and needs whether it is a healthy and productive approach or full-on treat mode.

Have you considered Plastic Free and Zero Waste options?

We have a range of suppliers who can offer zero waste solutions with snack racks, pick and mix and more. B Corp suppliers like our partners Healthy Nibbles and Blue Tiger take social and environmental issues into account by offering zero waste solutions and self-serve containers so you can enjoy your snacks guilt-free.

Have you implemented a hybrid work schedule?

A hybrid work schedule makes it difficult to predict stock levels. If you and your team have a flexible routine, things might run out sooner than you expect depending on how many people choose to work in-office. For this reason, make sure you find a supplier with a flexible solution and understand their minimum order size and delivery notice period.

Speak to a member of the team to implement your perfect solution today

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