Month: May 2020

A New York City break room can either positively or negatively impact employees’ workplace experiences. Bland, dark spaces with snacks and beverages no one likes will turn employees away. Well-designed break rooms with plenty of comfortable seating arrangements and delicious snacks, beverages, and fresh food encourage relaxation, spontaneous interaction between colleagues, and creativity. Even though COVID-19 has caused many changes during the past several months and decreased break room visits, micro-markets and vending machines still have an important role to play as employees return to work.

Each New York City employer will reopen their place of business differently and on a timetable that fits their unique organization. Promoting CDC recommended guidelines for “healthy hygiene practices such as hand washing and employees wearing a cloth face covering, as feasible” as well as encouraging social distancing or staying at least 6 feet away from other individuals and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily are just a few new behaviors employers will likely recommend.

A micro-market or set of vending machines is also a tool that New York City employers can use to encourage social distancing, fewer in person interactions, and less time in unknown environments. For example,

• Micro-markets and vending machines offer cashless or touchless payment options including mobile payments and are great for grab-and-go situations.
• To use a micro-market, employees will scan their snack or beverage; scan their smartphone or swipe a debit/card; and walk away.
• To use a vending machine, employees will touch the machine once; scan their smartphone or swipe a debit/card; and walk away.
• Both micro-markets and vending machines are open 24/7, encouraging employees to stay onsite during their workday.
• Staying on-site instead of going off-site for a bite to eat or beverage helps employees avoid external and less controllable environments.

New York City employers should also consider the types of snacks, beverages, and fresh food that will be offered. Making better-for-you choices is more important than ever. Healthier ingredients like fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that everyone needs to support their immune system. Bottled water and other healthy beverages help by keeping everything in the body hydrated and moving more efficiently.

While healthy options are necessary for a healthy immune system, it is also wise to offer traditional options that are “fun” or provide a mental boost such as chocolate and other snacks. Most New York City employees have been under prolonged stress and enjoying a favorite snack or beverage can provide a bit of an emotional or mental pick-me-up. Offering a balance of traditional and better-for-you options will help employees find the products they need when they want them.

Marché is here to help you safely bring your employees back to work. For more information about our sanitation and safety policies or upgrading your break room to include a micro-market or vending machines, please contact us at 833-627-2431. We are here to help restart the New York City economy one break room at a time.

Workplace break rooms are more important than ever. As New York City businesses reopen with new procedures designed to ensure employee safety amidst ongoing concerns about COVID-19, the break room experience must also shift. While break rooms continue to be a convenient benefit for employees, they are also an opportunity to limit outside influences on controlled office environments.

Micro-markets and vending machines are two refreshment services that provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages. Items offered in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for a quick and easy grab-and-go experience. Break rooms with vending machines or micro-markets also provide cashless payment options, limiting contact even further. 

By providing New York City employees with plenty of delicious and nutritious options in the break room, employers are able to satisfy their employees during the workday, limiting their potential exposure to viruses by reducing trips off-site. Rather than feeling like this is a difficult obstacle to overcome, our industry is here to support your business.

Last week, members of the refreshment services industry came together to send a heartfelt and reassuring message to customers throughout the nation. The message (shot in isolation from each person’s home or business) is an inspiring 2-minute video. The takeaway from this video is clear: break room service providers are here to support companies as they transition toward a safer working environment.

Marché is here to support you. We are also responding appropriately to our state’s COVID-19 re-opening schedules and guidelines and have adopted even stricter health and safety measures. Delivery drivers are following social distancing guidelines and are washing their hands or putting on a fresh pair of gloves before each visit. They are also sanitizing all contact surfaces and high touch areas at the end of every service call. 

Our goal is to leave break rooms cleaner than we found them. Additionally, we have implemented social distancing policies in our offices and distribution centers and are closely monitoring our employees’ health.

Whether your organization wants to upgrade your refreshment menu or add new services, we will create a customized solution that meets your unique needs. For more information about our services or safety policies and procedures, please contact us at 833-627-2431.