Food & relaxation gardens

The benefits of growing and harvesting your own food does not have to only happen at home or at your community garden.

Have you thought about growing food at work?

Workplace vegetable gardens is increasing in popularity and builds upon an increasing trend of vertical and rooftop gardens, at-home growing and community gardening.

There are many appealing factors of having a communal veggie patch in a workspace, so here we will provide you with a brief introduction to office-based edible gardening and some practical tips to make your workplace more sustainable.

Benefits of growing edibles in the office:

  • Plants help purify the air by absorbing pollutants. They can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. High levels of CO2 can cause headaches, drowsiness and difficulty concentrating.
  • Optimise balconies or otherwise unutilised indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • Provides an incentive to staff to get up from their desks, to observe and interact with the plants.
  • Indoor plants and greenery lead to a significant reduction in anxiety, depression and fatigue, thereby increasing productivity, creativity and overall mental health of staff.
  • Encourages staff to begin growing food at home as well as eating fresh seasonal produce.
  • Fosters staff community connectedness and positive relationships.

What conditions are needed:

  • An indoor or outdoor area that receives at least 5-6 hours of natural sunlight per day.
  • Ideally north-facing, floor to ceiling windows (or windowsills for smaller plants).
  • Raised garden beds or pots.
  • A coordinator or designated team to ensure ongoing maintenance of the garden.

What to grow:

  • Salad leaves and greens (lettuce, spinach, silverbeet, herbs) = ideal for beginners, suitable for indoor or outdoor with low light.
  • Roots (carrot, parsnip, beetroot) = suitable for indoor or outdoor.
  • Fruit trees = can be potted, ideal for balconies or deck areas.

Eco-friendly workplace practices
As many of us are heading back into the office, being intentional of your office practices can help reduce waste and energy. Such as reducing your use of printing, opening the blinds instead of turning a light on, and avoid heating/cooling as often as possible. You may also want to organise your office days with your colleague who lives nearby so you can carpool. Every effort to reducing your carbon footprint, no matter how small, is an effort worth giving. 

https://foodfromhome.org/2021/04/16/gardening-and-greenery-in-the-workplace-a-workers-retreat/ 

https://sustainableurbandelta.com/12-restaurants-growing-their-own-food/ 

 

It feels so good to be able to cook with what we’ve grown ourselves. We know exactly what is involved, namely only nature. But we also know how much work and what resources we have spent to grow the vegetables. When the basis of life, food, comes from our own garden, this not only gives an enormous appreciation and a direct reference to what lands on the plate, but also an unbelievable satisfaction. 

https://kraut-kopf.de/self-sufficiency-vegetable-garden/?lang=en 

Food forrest India

Restaurant -  healthy vegan office owned outside office

 

And then the restaurant implementation.and this second office outside let's say this is going to be the one who is ordering also the super foods and the nuts and seeds for office because if we do it via one restaurant point they're going to have discount and if you buy in bulk it's so much better so the restaurant can buy in bulk and then parked sent to the office

 

That's an excellent strategy for cost savings and streamlined operations! By having the restaurant handle bulk ordering of superfoods, nuts, and seeds for both the restaurant and the office, you can take advantage of discounts and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality ingredients.

Here's a summary of the benefits of this approach:

- **Cost Savings**: Buying in bulk often leads to lower prices, which can help offset the costs of providing healthy food options in both the restaurant and the office.

- **Convenience**: Having a single point of contact for ordering ingredients simplifies the process and reduces the risk of running out of key items.

- **Quality Control**: By centralizing ingredient sourcing, you can ensure that both the restaurant and office are using the same high-quality, nutritious ingredients in their food offerings.

- **Sustainability**: Bulk ordering can also reduce packaging waste, making your Holistic Office Oasis concept more environmentally friendly.

 

Expanding the restaurant's services to include delivery for home office workers and other offices is a fantastic way to diversify your offerings and increase revenue. Here are some benefits of adding a delivery service:

- **Wider Reach**: Delivery allows you to serve customers beyond the immediate vicinity of the restaurant, expanding your potential customer base.

- **Convenience for Home Office Workers**: Offering delivery to home office workers provides them with the same access to healthy, brain-boosting meals as their office-based counterparts, promoting work-life balance and well-being.

- **Additional Revenue Stream**: Adding a delivery service can generate additional income for the restaurant, helping it become self-sustaining and potentially offsetting some of the costs associated with the Holistic Office Oasis concept.

- **Partnerships with Other Offices**: By offering delivery to other offices, you can establish partnerships and provide your healthy food options to a broader range of businesses, spreading the benefits of the Holistic Office Oasis concept even further.

 

And then this restaurant can eventually pay for the workers. So in the beginning the CEO will have to invest in the restaurant and in the food for the workers. But when the restaurant starts to become more known and more have lot of profit then the food for the employees the quality will increase or the quality will be always good anyway and and anyway it will be then for free.

That's an excellent long-term vision! Initially, the CEO's investment will help establish the restaurant and provide high-quality food for the employees. However, as the restaurant gains popularity and becomes more profitable, it can eventually cover the costs of providing food for the employees, essentially making it free for them.

This strategy has several benefits:

- **Employee Retention**: Offering free, high-quality meals to employees can significantly boost job satisfaction and help attract and retain top talent.

- **Sustainable Business Model**: Once the restaurant becomes self-sustaining, the Holistic Office Oasis concept will be less reliant on external funding, creating a more stable and sustainable business model.

- **Continued Quality**: Even as the restaurant grows and potentially covers food costs for employees, the focus on high-quality, nutritious ingredients will remain a top priority, ensuring that the health and well-being of employees are always at the forefront.

That's an innovative and strategic idea! Building relationships with influential people in Dubai, such as those associated with the palace, could provide numerous benefits for the restaurant and the Holistic Office Oasis concept.

Some potential advantages of this approach include:

- **Increased Visibility**: Regularly sending treats to the palace could help raise awareness of the restaurant and its unique offerings, potentially attracting new customers and partners.

- **Positive Reputation**: Establishing good relations with influential individuals can enhance the restaurant's reputation, positioning it as a respected and trusted business in the community.

- **Networking Opportunities**: Building connections with high-profile individuals can lead to valuable networking opportunities, potentially resulting in new partnerships, collaborations, or even investment opportunities for the Holistic Office Oasis project.

- **Local Support**: By demonstrating a commitment to the local community, the restaurant may gain support from residents and businesses alike, further contributing to its long-term success.

and this restaurant can also establish good relations with the people who rule dubai example we could send every week a pie or ice creams or or something new that we have milkshakes to the palace

 

Certainly! Having a restaurant as part of the Holistic Office Oasis concept provides numerous benefits and opportunities. Here's a recap of the key advantages:

1. **Healthy Food Options**: Access to nutritious, brain-boosting meals and snacks for employees, promoting well-being and productivity.
2. **Convenient Delivery**: Offering delivery to home office workers and other offices, as well as potential partnerships with local businesses.
3. **Networking Opportunities**: Building relationships with influential individuals and organizations in Dubai, leading to increased visibility and potential collaborations.
4. **Employee Perks**: Free, high-quality meals for employees once the restaurant becomes profitable, supporting retention and satisfaction.
5. **Self-Sustaining Model**: As the restaurant grows, it can cover costs and contribute to the overall sustainability of the Holistic Office Oasis concept.
6. **Community Building**: The restaurant serves as a social hub, fostering connections among employees and contributing to a positive work environment.

By incorporating the restaurant into your Holistic Office Oasis, you're creating a comprehensive approach to employee well-being, fostering a thriving business ecosystem, and establishing valuable connections within the local community.

 

Sure, here are some additional suggestions for the restaurant within your Holistic Office Oasis concept:

1. **Special Dietary Needs**: Consider offering menu options that cater to different dietary requirements, such as vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly meals, to ensure everyone feels included and can enjoy the healthy food offerings.
2. **Seasonal Menus**: Develop rotating menus that feature locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, reflecting the freshness and diversity of the region while supporting local farmers.
3. **Cooking Classes**: Offer hands-on cooking classes or demonstrations for employees and community members, teaching them how to prepare healthy, delicious meals using the same ingredients and techniques featured in the restaurant.
4. **Wellness Events**: Host wellness events at the restaurant, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, or nutrition workshops, to further promote holistic well-being.
5. **Cultural Exchange**: Encourage the sharing of diverse culinary traditions by hosting themed nights or special events that showcase the flavors and customs of different cultures, promoting inclusivity and cultural understanding.