Affordable Lunch Ideas for Your Office Team

Why Staff Lunches Are Worth It

There’s something about sharing food that brings people together — and that applies just as much in the workplace as it does at home. A shared lunch breaks up the day, encourages conversation, and creates a sense of community that’s hard to achieve through emails or meetings alone.

But for many small to medium businesses, providing team lunches regularly can feel like a luxury — especially with catering costs, time constraints, and dietary preferences to consider. That’s where affordable office catering solutions come in.

From one-off lunch shouts to weekly shared meals, there are simple, cost-effective ways to feed your team well without spending a fortune or losing half your lunch break to prep.

 

The Benefits of Shared Lunches at Work

Investing in shared meals might seem small, but the impact can be significant:

• Improved morale: Food has a way of lifting spirits, especially at the end of a long week.
  
  

• Better teamwork: Sitting down to eat together helps break down silos and spark new ideas.
  
  

• Higher productivity: Well-fed employees are more focused and energised.
  
  

• Stronger retention: A thoughtful workplace culture — including good food — keeps staff engaged and loyal.
  
  

It’s a simple investment that pays back in motivation and connection.

 

Keeping It Simple — and Affordable

You don’t need a full buffet or complicated menu to make lunch feel special. Start with the basics: hearty, wholesome meals that everyone will enjoy.

Here are a few practical staff lunch ideas NZ teams can use all year round:

 

1. Ready-Made Shared Meals

Skip the stress of ordering separate meals for everyone. Large frozen trays — like Delicious & Done’s family-sized portions — can easily feed four to five people. Heat a few in the office oven or kitchenette, and you’ve got a proper lunch in under an hour.

Popular choices for groups include:

• Mac & Cheese: Comfort food everyone loves.
  

• Chicken Teriyaki & Rainbow Vege: Balanced, colourful, and easy to serve.
  

• Beef Meatloaf & Gratin: A Kiwi classic that feels homemade.
  
  

It’s a great way to provide a “shared table” experience without the cost of external catering.

2. Themed Lunch Days

Keep things interesting by planning simple themed days once a fortnight — like “Pie Fridays” or “Pasta Tuesdays.” Use frozen meal trays as the base, then add small sides like bread, salad, or fruit.

You’ll create a sense of fun and variety while keeping costs predictable.

3. Rotate Who Organises

Instead of one person handling lunch every week, rotate responsibility around the team. Give a small budget to each department or team member — they can pick the meals and arrange reheating. It keeps everyone involved and encourages ownership.

 

How Ready-Made Meals Solve the Office Catering Problem

Traditional catering often comes with strict cut-off times, delivery fees, and large minimum orders. Ready-made meals, on the other hand, offer flexibility — and they fit perfectly for small or remote teams.

Delicious & Done trays arrive frozen, meaning you can store them in the office freezer and heat them when needed. No waiting around for couriers, no soggy sandwiches, and no food waste.

They’re also ideal for lunch shouts in Auckland and across NZ — whether it’s a Friday treat, a project milestone, or just a midweek morale boost.

 

Balancing Nutrition and Convenience

One of the best things about using high-quality frozen meals for workplace lunches is the nutritional balance. Unlike most takeaway options, ready-made meals include proper servings of vegetables, protein, and complex carbs.

Instead of an expensive café sandwich or a quick pie run, your team gets a satisfying, wholesome meal that keeps them full all afternoon.

Try pairing meals with simple, fresh sides for variety:

• Add a leafy salad or roasted vegetables.
  
  

• Offer fresh fruit or yoghurt for dessert.
  
  

• Keep cold water or sparkling drinks available for a low-cost beverage option.
  
  

Small touches like these make lunch feel complete — without a large price tag.

 

How to Make It Work for Your Team

Ready to bring shared lunches into your workplace? Here’s how to set up a simple system:

1. Start Small

Begin with one shared lunch per month. Gauge what the team enjoys, what reheating options you have, and how long it takes to serve everyone.

2. Keep a Freezer Stocked

A small office freezer can hold several ready-to-heat trays from Delicious & Done. That way, you’re always prepared for impromptu lunches, long meetings, or late work sessions.

3. Plan for Dietary Needs

Because Delicious & Done meals come clearly labelled, it’s easy to cater for mixed preferences — whether that’s gluten-free, vegetarian, or classic Kiwi comfort meals.

4. Choose Meals That Travel Well

If your business operates across multiple locations, frozen meals can be delivered to each site nationwide. This keeps everyone included, even if teams are based in different cities.

 

Creating a Positive Food Culture

Shared meals do more than feed your team — they create culture. When food is part of the routine, it signals that the workplace values connection, not just output.

Even small gestures — like warming up a few trays on a Friday — show your staff that you appreciate them. For remote or hybrid teams, it’s also a way to bring people together when they’re back in the office.

Food breaks down hierarchy, sparks casual conversations, and helps people decompress — especially during busy seasons.

 

Why Delicious & Done Works for Workplaces

We’ve built our business around convenience that doesn’t compromise on quality — and that’s exactly what most workplaces need.

Each Delicious & Done meal is:

• Cooked fresh in Whangārei using high-quality ingredients.
  
  

• Snap-frozen to preserve flavour and nutrition.
  
  

• Packaged in oven- and microwave-safe trays for easy reheating.
  
  

• Delivered NZ-wide with eco-friendly insulation.
  
  

For office managers or team leads, that means no logistical headaches — just hearty, wholesome meals that can be ordered in bulk and stored for when you need them.

To explore options for ongoing team lunches or one-off celebrations, check out our catering services for more information, or browse the full menu to see what suits your office best.