Manufacturing plants in the United States are facing an era of transition. As more and more skilled workers are aging into retirement, the industry needs to innovate to appeal to incoming talent.
Employees across all industries, but especially those in manufacturing, devote a lot of time on site. Based on production demands and scheduling, time on the job each week can extend past 40 hours. Due to these heightened demands, employers have a responsibility to support their team’s health and wellness.
A direct solution? On-site amenities like a workplace food program. Many manufacturers are investing in their workforce through 24/7 micro markets, adaptable cafeterias with rotating menus, and catered celebratory events. Conveniences like these make work a place employers want to be - improving both morale and headcount.
Discover how a food service program for manufacturing facilities by Fooda is a cost-effective way to boost productivity across all shifts, and increase employee retention.
Manufacturing is a significant contributor to the American economy. Jeff Winters Insights states that there are 292,825 manufacturing plants in the United States, with a whopping 91% of them employing less than 99 employees. Nationally, manufacturing is the fifth largest employer in the country.
According to The National Institute of Standards and Technology, the US is the “second largest manufacturing nation in the world behind that of China.” Even more, they share that the largest subsectors include, “food, beverage, and tobacco products; and computer and electronic products.”
Despite this, the industry struggles with poor retention rates and high turnover, leading to a steadily increasing labor shortage. While they estimate up to 3.8 million manufacturing roles are expected to be created between 2024 and 2033, Deloitte approximates 1.9 million of these jobs could go unfilled. This is a significant shortage!
There are a variety of factors that are contributing to this decline. This includes a growing skills gap, lack of flexible working arrangements, and increase in retirements. Furthermore, Gen Z is changing the workforce and have a desire to work for companies whose values align with their own.
Appealing to and maintaining incoming talent is crucial. Now, your manufacturing plant’s amenities are more important than ever. Deloitte’s study shows that 30% of manufacturing employees they surveyed ranked “promoting employee health and safety in the workplace”, and 70% ranked “competitive employee benefit programs” as the most impactful strategies to attract and retain employees.
Because of staggered shift patterns, physical and mental toll, and reduced access to quality meals, maintaining one’s health can be more complex in manufacturing. This is where food and nutrition can be a gamechanger. At Fooda, we believe great meals and quality time have one of the largest impacts on productivity and happiness in the workplace.
Naturally, productivity and efficiency are priorities for all manufacturers. For manufacturing plants operating with two or three rotating shifts, having the right amount of food in stock and ready to serve can be a logistical challenge.
Compared to other industries, manufacturing has shorter and less flexible lunch breaks. Even more, when factories that need to meet strict regulations and want to reduce downtime, staggered breaks with exact timing within shifts are essential for continuous production.
While break times are predictable and consistent, ensuring meals are synchronized with all shift patterns can be difficult. Additionally, the shortness of breaks makes it difficult for employees to get lunch off campus.
Yes, employees can simply bring their own meals and snacks to work - and a majority do. But as the manufacturing industry grapples with decreasing headcount and wellness benefits grow in popularity, a workplace meal program is a cornerstone in employee retention.
Over time, third shift workers can suffer from disrupted circadian rhythms, mental health challenges, and physical health concerns. While first and second shift employees experience more normalcy in their respective working hours, no worker is immune to fatigue and burnout.
As you know, food can have a large effect on morale. Your favorite meal instantly lifts your mood. In the workplace, a great meal can increase our energy and motivate us through the remainder of our shifts. Not only should meals be accessible and convenient, nutrition is monumental - producing better work results.
Your team works hard to create quality products. Directly contributing to well-being and health shows current staff and prospective candidates that you’re a high-quality employer. Keep reading, and we’ll dive into all the ways you can better manage food at your manufacturing facility.
An expert in workplace food programs, Fooda offers custom solutions for manufacturers just like you. We connect our clients with local restaurants, transforming mealtime and breaks in the workplace. Our dining solutions are smart - helping you reduce food waste and operation costs, while improving employee support and happiness.
We believe that highlighting great food and wellness at work is your culture in practice. Here are some of the ways we can help you transform your workplace!
According to a 2023 review by the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, more than 90% of Americans report eating one or more snacks per day, with snacks accounting for nearly a quarter of daily energy intake. It has a considerable impact on wellness and overall health!
Perfect for when the cafeteria is busy, accommodating night shift workers, or large facilities, micro markets and coffee bars are perfect for quick energy boosts. These stations are time-saving and convenient. Your team can grab healthy, ready-made meals, such as sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Plus, they can stay hydrated and alert by grabbing energy drinks, flavored water, or a hot coffee.
With Fooda Pantry, you can offer mobile payment solutions and easily rotate your selection of food items - ensuring your team can efficiently grab snacks, while avoiding menu fatigue. Even more, you can understand your team’s buying habits, so you can ensure the foods they love most are always in stock.
Investing in employee wellbeing boosts their overall health, reduces sick days, and improves performance. A little pick-me-up might seem small, but a tasty treat in the middle of a long shift can significantly boost morale and energy levels.
When a cafeteria program isn’t feasible, or if you want to extend your factory’s offerings, micro markets and canteens are the perfect way to show up for your employees.
Unlike office environments, where workers can take their lunch breaks more freely, manufacturing breaks are usually more regimented and short. When managing a worksite cafeteria it’s essential that food service is quick and organized.
If you want to reinvent your current cafeteria, or want to build out a new space from scratch, Orange by Fooda can help. Our system is simple and dynamic: you can bring local restaurants into your space, and customize their frequency. For example, you can host a weekly rotation of burger, Mexican, or Chinese Popup restaurants - whatever you’re in the mood for! Or, if a particular eatery is a crowd favorite, you can opt for a permanent resident restaurant. Employees can place orders ahead of time - further streamlining the process.
Here’s Fooda at work: one of our clients is an auto manufacturer in Michigan. With over 1,000 employees across two shifts, offering a high-quality meal program on site proved difficult. While they had vending machines, employees were bored by the lack of options.
Recognizing the need for improved productivity, morale, and wellness, management looks for ways to give back to their employees through food.
Collaborating with Fooda, the plant hosts a rotation of local restaurants: including Fuddrucker’s, Big Boy, and Firehouse Subs. These providers quickly sell meals to both shifts, ensuring everyone can participate. Even more, every menu has a $6 Everyday Entree option, further increasing accessibility! Thanks to short wait times, delicious food, and increased quality time with colleagues, their employees take full advantage of their breaks.
From a business perspective, restaurant Popups produce higher ROI than traditional cafeteria programs. You can save on food inventory costs, kitchen equipment maintenance, and cafeteria operating costs. Additionally, meal service through Fooda boosts the local restaurant economy.
Catering in the workplace is directly tied to employee recognition and appreciation. It’s a popular solution for holiday parties or to celebrate your team at the end of a busy production season - but it can be overwhelming without the proper planning and support.
We make catering easy: simply filter on our catering website by your needs, and we’ll see your plan through to completion. Fooda’s Catering Managers get to know your team and preferences, then do the heavy lifting.
Events catered by Fooda are cost-effective and organized. With a 99% on-time track record, we ensure food arrives on time, that you have the perfect amount, that the event is properly staffed, then take care of cleaning up. All you need to do is relax and enjoy your celebration!
If you want to further increase participation in your food program and events, offering employee meal subsidies are a popular benefit. You can customize the amount, and which meals and employees are applicable - you’re in complete control.
The manufacturing industry is evolving - and the best plants are evolving with it. As skilled labor shortages grow and employee expectations shift, investing in on-site food programs is a strategy that directly impacts productivity, retention, and workplace culture.
Fooda uncomplicates food in the workplace, making it easy for teams like yours to eat high-quality meals and enjoy more time to themselves during breaks. With flexible and wallet-friendly options, you can build employee loyalty and outpace hiring efforts by your competitors. We’ll help you stand apart from the crowd!
If you’re ready to expand your benefits and stand out as an employer of choice, talk with a Fooda expert today!
Fooda’s meal programs are designed to be flexible. From 24/7-accessible pantries and micro markets to scheduled restaurant popups that align with staggered breaks, we ensure employees across all shifts have access to quality food when they need it.
No problem! Many Fooda clients start with micro markets, pantries, or Popups in existing break rooms or common areas. We’ll work with your facility’s layout to design a solution that fits your space and operational needs.
