feeling fruity

Have you guys ever had an office fruit delivery ? 

My mates The Food Fairies say to go for 2-3 pieces of fresh fruit each day, and getting it in during the working day is ideal, I would say, for a burst of natural energy.  But with most canteen fruit on offer being pretty standard and uninspired, I was expecting maybe a bunch of bananas and a couple of oranges when Fruitdrop kindly offered to deliver some fruit to my office last week.  Instead, it was a cornucopia of delights!

We were treated to a Seasonal box which had two kinds of grapes, bananas, apples, satsumas (known in Australia as mandarins), figs, plums, pears, kiwi fruit, persimmons, and even a mango!  My workmates looked like they couldn’t believe their luck and the biscuits that are usually stacked in the customary place for communal snacks were promptly ignored!

I haven’t been eating much fruit lately - I have been snacking on nuts when I need a mid morning pick-me-up – but I found that having a handful of grapes, an apple and a fig really perked me up and I felt very refreshed!  My workmates reported similarly, taking satsumas, bananas and grapes back to their desks like they had just been to visit Santa’s grotto!  Isn’t it funny how fresh, high quality fruit can seem like such a treat when you’re used to the same old tastebud-blurring crisps and chocolate?

Fruit has usually been a fixture in my day, since I was little.  I used to have to take a piece of fruit to kindergarten which would be put in a bowl near the door when I came in, along with everyone else’s fruit.  Then it would be cut up and given to all the children on big platters later in the morning or afternoon – I always took a mandarin (satsuma).  I don’t know why, I think it was because I liked peeling it!  J  But then later in life, especially in the workplace, I started rebelling, no longer constrained by school rules or parents.  Fruit?!  Who wants fruit?!  With the freedom to choose, it was chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!  But I look back to those days and can’t remember feeling energised, motivated, or particularly happy.  Not that I’m saying if I’d eaten fruit for snacks that would have changed everything, but certainly being conscious of my habits and how by changing them I could have more energy and be happier would have made the world of difference.  But the penny did drop eventually!

Ben from Fruitdrop told me that he launched the concept of office fruit delivery in the UK after working in Australia (where all good ideas come from, of course!) at a bank where there was a daily fresh fruit delivery for all employees to help themselves to.  I think it’s no surprise that when an employer shows that they care about your wellbeing and happiness then you will feel more positive in your work and be more motivated; I know that’s certainly been the case with me.  Ben noticed the benefits of providing this service, to both the employer and the employee, and decided to launch his own office fruit delivery business when he returned to the UK.  And the rest is history – they now have over 40 employees and deliver to most areas on the UK mainland.

And I’m sure the Fruitdrop office is never short of fruit, right Ben?! :)

You can get either an essentials box or a seasonal box, delivered regularly or as and when, and if there’s any fruit you would particularly like they can usually tailor something to suit your needs.  Ben mentioned lemons sometimes get asked for, which might sound a bit out there but I think that’s a brilliant idea with winter coming up – hot water and lemon is perfect for keeping colds away!

My workmates reported very positively on the fruit.  A common thread in the feedback was how luxurious it all was!  “Amazing” and “a nice change from all the chocolate we normally have!” were also heard repeatedly!  It can often be difficult to find a healthy alternative that is quick, easy and everyone will like, but there was nothing but uproarious praise.  Thank you Fruitdrop!

So if you’re finding yourself going to the vending machine for elevenses or a bit tired of the same old muesli bar or packet of digestives, maybe you could get your workplace to treat you all to a Fruitdrop delivery for Christmas? :)

What are your favourite healthy workplace snacks?  Do you have an office fruit delivery or snacks scheme?