Start an Office Lunch Club!

Host Bee on Saturday, February 9th, 2008

Happy (Lunch!) Hour - Start a Lunch Club at Your Office!

Eating lunch during a busy work day can be a pretty dismal affair – fast food, something zapped in the microwave or a meal at a restaurant are all less than ideal choices, especially if you’re trying to save money or eat healthily! But I recently read about an idea which can solve all of these problems – an office lunch club! The idea behind a lunch club is for a number of co-workers to take turns providing a midday meal for the group to share.

How to Get Started with Your Lunch Club!

This idea is brilliant! If your work place has a reasonably equipped kitchen your first step is covered!
Next, recruit a few co-workers who share your interest in freshly prepared lunches.
Among yourselves, decide how many times each week the “club” will provide meals and which days will be an “on your own” day. So, for example, if eight colleagues want to participate and Fridays are going to be an “on your own” day, each member will cook a meal for 8 every other week.
Choose a time frame during which lunch will be available, since you may not all be able to eat at the same time.

Other points to keep in mind

Does anyone have food allergies and strong dislikes
Will the group provide paper goods or will each bring their own?
Encourage members to stock the office kitchen with some nonperishable meal choices, just in case some sort of emergency prevents the scheduled chef from cooking!
If it happens that food is running low before everyone has eaten, consider larger portions or leaving a note as to what the portion size should be.

Have Fun with Planning Your Fare!

And this is probably the best part – as a group you can decide what type of cuisine you’d like to eat! Will you pick ethnic themes? Entrées selected from Weight Watchers, Cooking Light or South Beach? Will you occasionally offer vegetarian dishes? Or will the fare just be a surprise to look forward to? Make your choices based upon what you’d most like to accomplish. Is weight loss a goal? More varied lunch menus? Camaraderie among staff? Saving money? Let these considerations guide you! And remember to stay flexible – changes may be necessary as the group takes shape!

I just love the number of possibilities associated with forming a Lunch Club. Terrific food and friendship are sure to brighten even the dullest work day! And if you’re in need of a recipe for your newly created club, take a look at Busy Bee’s recipes for Chicken Tetrazzini, Barbeque Chili and Zipped Up Baked Ziti. Bon Appetit!

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Tags: how to start an office lunch club, starting a lunch club, group, office lunchtime ideas, making lunch at the office fun, improving office lunches, workplace