Discover how Fooda, a late-stage startup that provides modern food programs for workplaces, not only survived but thrived during the pandemic. In an inspiring article published by the Speciality Food Association (SFA), Fooda’s President Alex Groesbeck shares how the company’s hard pivot into new markets helped it find solid footing in a time of absolute chaos. With a leaner, more efficient, and battle-tested business model, Fooda has emerged from the pandemic even stronger than before.

One of the key takeaways from the SFA’s piece is that Fooda never lost sight of its core catering business. The company maintained relationships with clients, even during furloughs and transitions to work-from-home models. By keeping existing relationships strong, Fooda was well-positioned to resume paused contracts when office workers returned.

While the pandemic initially caused a drop in sales, Fooda’s team recognized that other sectors of the economy were busier than ever. The company’s modern food program was designed to connect large groups of workers with great local restaurants, making it a natural fit for companies experiencing surging demand, such as distribution centers and government buildings. Essential workers across many industries also benefited from Fooda’s simple, cost-effective meal-ordering system.

triptych of images - hands in black gloves creating a poke bowl, hands with phone showing the Fooda app, and a photo of a Fooda Popup on location

Fooda’s flexible food programs – on-site restaurant popups, company event catering, cafeteria replacement, and lunch delivery – also gave employers new options for supporting their workers, making it easy to discount or fully subsidize meals. Businesses of any size could provide a real on-site catering solution with minimal hassle and headaches.

Fooda’s platform provided organizations with the flexibility they needed during an unpredictable time. Instead of committing resources to on-site cafeteria contracts or managing on-site catering, administrators could quickly feed an entire company using Fooda’s intuitive app. Additionally, Fooda’s strong relationships with local eateries allowed businesses to provide their workers with outstanding modern food programs at discounted rates while supporting local restaurants.

As the pandemic fades, Fooda’s flexible food programs are increasingly seen by clients as an incentive to return to the office. Fooda continues to adapt, building on its successes and lessons learned during the pandemic. The company has even published a new resource, the 2023 Guide to Workplace Food Strategy, to provide new food-as-a-perk insights for modern businesses.

Want to know more about what Fooda can do for your business? Let’s talk!