Subscribe Ask the Editors Search Entire site Smallbiz Bookstore Msg. Stained Glass Overlay Turnkey Vending U.S. Mortgage Reduction World Traders Association Free Lunch Don t underestimate the value of free food when seeking employees. In today's economy, free stock options aren't the only things luring prospective employees to companies. Free food may also whet their appetites.
Edible perks can range from gourmet coffee service and morning muffins to monthly luncheons.
People are looking for social community at work. Anything you can do to differentiate yourself from other employers helps. Free food ranked fifth in the survey, with 36 percent of the companies polled offering gratis edibles. Surprisingly, traditional perks such as child care and fitness centers once thought crucial to attracting talented workers have fallen off the top five perks list. Ellen Paris is a Washington, DC, writer and former Forbes magazine staff writer.