Top 3 Delicious Hits to Bring to an Office Meeting

Food in meetings has been an age-old trick for many individuals who yearn to promote a comfortable environment for meeting attendees. However, deciding which foods are most appropriate for the meeting can be much more of a challenge. These snacks never fail to excite a crowd of people during the afternoon lull in productivity. Here are my top 3 foods that lends themselves well to meetings with any audience.

1. Cupcakes

Growing up, I remember the most important part of elementary school was eating cupcakes on someone’s birthday. Whether they were homemade or purchased at our local grocery store, the little bundles of deliciousness never failed to disappoint the class. According to research done at the University of Buffalo, “comfort food can reduce feelings of rejection and isolation.” The positive association many people have with cupcakes can lead to a positive and productive meeting. The assorted icing options can also be an amazing conversation-starter because many people are extremely passionate about the Great Vanilla or Chocolate frosting Debate. Cupcakes can change the vibe of the room, so it is important to gauge the need for constant productivity or if it is okay to let loose a bit.

2. Power Bars

Two words: Brain. Food. Power bars are healthy and prepackaged, something that may appeal to a larger group of people. They are grabbable and easy transported, so meeting attendees would have no problem stashing a few of them in their pockets to consume at a later date. Clif Bars are a great option because not only are they delicious, but they also sell a myriad of flavor options in order to accommodate a variety of taste preferences. They can be purchased in bulk for the office and easily incorporated into meetings. The only downfall this snack could bring is its ingredients – peanuts and tree nuts are often main ingredients in power bars, so make sure meeting attendees are warned and provided with an alternative, need be.

3. Doughnuts

Bringing doughnuts to a meeting shows that there was though put into the snack, but the vibe of the meeting must remain efficient. These grab-and-go snacks are some of my personal favorites as they can be divided and shared. The attendee can try many flavors throughout the meeting, which is always a plus. Additionally, the aesthetic of doughnuts can lead to postable content for meeting attendees, which showcase the excitement of the meeting. This could be beneficial to potential employees looking to experience a company’s culture. In "Social Media: How to Engage, Share, and Connect", author Regina Luttrell writes, “PR practitioners should lead the company strategy on Twitter by tweeting useful resources, insightful ideas, and helpful tips that will ultimately benefit their followers.” Posts regarding company culture can bring in prospective employees and show a candid side of a company.

Although not all of these snacks may be a favorite to every single person in the meeting room, inviting people to bring their own personal favorites guarantees to accommodate everyone’s needs so that no one is left out of the fun.