Freshly Launches New B2B Program To Help Companies Offer Employee Meals For Remote And Essential Workers

As a registered dietitian and health coach, I’ve worked extensively with my clients on navigating healthy lunches in the workplace. Now that so many of us are sheltering in place and working from home, that conversation has shifted quite a bit. While the essential goals may still be the same—aim for a balance of protein, healthy fat, and fiber, with plenty of vegetables to give you energy for a productive afternoon—the lunchtime environment is quite different. 

Sure, there are plenty of people who have always brought  their own lunch to work, but for those who were used to having a company cafeteria, catered meals, or reimbursement for lunch at work, adjusting to work from home life has presented new challenges around feeding themselves. Even for people who enjoy being in the kitchen, the prepping, cooking, assembling, and cleaning up afterwards can be time-consuming and exhausting. That’s before you factor in the pain points around accessing that food. 

For companies who have used perks like free lunches and snacks to retain their employees and support them beyond their paychecks, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenge around finding new ways to do so. 

During lockdown I’ve been trying out a bunch of different meal kits, prepared meals, and frozen meals—some via samples and coupons from the companies, and some with my own money—to see what’s worth trying and which ones might be best suited to various needs. One that really stood out to me was Freshly, a meal subscription service which provides single-serving meals made from fresh ingredients that arrive ready to heat and enjoy. Freshly’s food philosophy is centered on less sugar, less processed, and more nutrients, and the menu, which is developed by chefs and nutritionists, features better-for-you versions of comforting classics. 

As a dietitian, I was really impressed by the quality of ingredients, nutrition stats, and the realistic (read: not too big, but still satisfying) portions, and as a consumer I appreciated how flavorful the meals were without sky-high sodium counts, and the texture was restaurant quality. While I received my first order was a sample, ordering again for those days where I need a break from cooking so I can focus on work and other responsibilities was a no-brainer.  

Freshly recently launched Freshly for Business, a new B2B platform to help companies nourish their teams no matter where they are, providing a healthier (but still delicious) alternative to takeout and reducing the stress of preparing meals in the middle of a busy workday. Originally slated to launch later this year, Freshly expedited the rollout to help businesses support their employees for lunches and dinners when working from home. The company is also assisting essential workers reporting to their worksite during this time. Because the meals cost 50-75% less than takeout delivery, it’s an affordable solution for both small and large businesses. 

“We’ve seen a huge demand from employers who want to provide their teams with healthy and affordable food options right now, especially those with frontline employees.” said Michael Wystrach, Freshly’s Founder and CEO. “We’re all adapting in this current climate and businesses are shifting their work perks like meals, coffee, and snacks to virtual options. As access to fresh food becomes increasingly challenging and costly, Freshly for Business is helping meet evolving needs.”

 Pro tip for getting the most satisfaction out of your prepared meal (be that a meal delivery service like Freshly or takeout from your local spot): use a plate and actual silverware. The extra minute you spend to plate your meal will help it be more visually satisfying so you feel you’re having an experience rather than just shoving food in your face before you get back to work.