As a response to rising levels of poverty and in-work poverty, Third Sector Hebrides decided to try and do a little bit more to support their staff. It was decided to set up a Staff Pantry, free of charge to all employees, to enable them to eat a nutritious breakfast and lunch at work.

 

This has turned out to be a simple but effective initiative and has been extremely well received and used by staff. Having a wide range of foods available to choose from was important, to meet different tastes and the dietary or health requirements of staff members. Prior to launching the project, staff were asked what foods they would like to see available and are regularly asked for feedback and suggestions for pantry items. The office has a small kitchen, so shelving was put up for the pantry items.

 

A microwave, kettle, fridge and air fryer along with a range of dishes, crockery and cutlery, are available. Generally, the range of food includes breakfast cereals and porridges, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, tinned fish, baked beans, soups, quick cook pastas, rice and noodles, oatcakes and rice cakes, peanut butter, sandwich fillings and jacket potatoes from the freezer. Milk and butter are also available, and sometimes donations of fresh fruit and vegetables are received from local growers. Food is purchased using the supermarket Click and Collect service.

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Costs are estimated to be £50 - £60 per month, less than £5 per staff member. A recent survey of staff found that all staff use the pantry at least some of the time, with about half of them using it regularly for breakfast and lunch. The majority have found that using the pantry has saved them money, saved them time and is very convenient and the benefits of a well -nourished workforce are documented.

 

Some staff are now eating breakfast when they might have skipped it before. Staff have really appreciated the food pantry and consider it a real asset to their working day. They also feel it shows they are valued. Staff have commented:

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“There is a nice selection of healthy items, and the financial benefit is huge.”

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“Being able to eat porridge when I get to work (after a long drive up from Harris) has stopped

me snacking on biscuits mid-morning, so has impacted positively on my health.”

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“Family life is busy, sometimes there is just no time for breakfast, so to arrive at work and be

able to have a healthy porridge sets me up for the day, when skipping breakfast would have

held me back.“