Corporate gifting has stepped into a new era, with the market on track to reach $312 billion by 2025. 

Modern workplaces are embracing this shift, investing more in thoughtful gifts to celebrate employees, charm clients, and ultimately, create a culture where everyone feels valued. Whether it’s sleek office accessories or branded tumblers, the evolution of corporate gifting has introduced a variety of options — but today, food stands out as the gift that keeps on giving.

Take a look at why food makes the perfect present, along with nine opportunities to show client or employee appreciation with a corporate gift that’s good enough to eat. 

Food is a universal recipe for happiness

Food has earned its place as the most versatile corporate gift, and for good reason: 51% of employees agree that food simply makes them happier. Whether it’s a catered lunch, a gourmet snack box, or a seasonal treat, food sparks joy and helps create memorable experiences. 

For companies looking to enhance employee and customer appreciation, food is the ultimate corporate gifting solution that’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. 

The perfect corporate gift (for just about any occasion)

There’s a common misconception that corporate gifting only happens during the holiday season. Not anymore! Food gifts are a fool-proof way to show client appreciation and celebrate employee contributions all year long. 

From delicious snacks to full-course meals, here are nine ways to celebrate team spirit and highlight milestones in the client journey with treats everyone will enjoy.

Corporate holiday gifts

While the holidays aren’t the only time to show employee and client appreciation, they’re certainly a great place to start. 

Skip the company swag that ends up collecting dust and surprise employees and clients with hand-decorated sugar cookies from a favorite local bakery instead. 

For employees, custom treats in their favorite colors, personalized with their names are gifts they’ll dig into right away. The thoughtful touch makes them feel extra special — just be sure to gift these goodies after treating the team to a holiday catering package, so everyone has room to toast the holidays together.

For customers and clients, branded cookies keep your company top-of-mind all season long. Pair them with a seasonal tasting box of festive goodies to keep their spirits bright (and their cravings satisfied).

Employee appreciation

Employee Appreciation Day officially falls on the first Friday in March, but with the right food, any day can feel like Employee Appreciation Day.

Since one-third of employees indulge in at least one little treat per day, surprise and delight your team with an assortment of their favorite sweet and savory snacks, including:

• Candy and chocolate platters
• Cookie and pastry trays
• Artesian beverages like specialty lattes 
• Charcuterie and cheese boards

Client appreciation and relationship-building

Just like employee appreciation, client appreciation goes a long way in building and sustaining strong relationships.

We always suggest taking your client meetings up a notch with a catered lunch from a popular local restaurant your prospects may not have tried. But why not send them off with an edible gift, too? 

A tasty parting gift helps cement your meeting in their memory and shows you value the relationship beyond the boardroom. It’s a small gesture that makes a big impact on new and long-time clients alike, helping them feel appreciated and strengthening their connection to your business.

Let them leave your office with a gourmet charcuterie box to enjoy at home, or send a pull-apart cupcake cake for the rest of their team to share. 

These edible tokens of appreciation sweeten the deal — and your relationship. 

Sales milestone achievements

When it’s time to celebrate a successful contract, spotlight employee sales achievements with a catered spread that feels like a true party.

Think sandwich platters with all the fixings, mini dessert assortments, or fresh sushi rolls to mark the occasion.

Celebrating milestones across locations? ezCater makes it easy to deliver to multiple offices by saving each address to your corporate account so every team can join in, no matter where they are. 

Project completion celebrations

Celebrate project completions in style with a fun, interactive spread that rewards everyone’s hard work. 

Build-your-own taco bars, pizza stations, or DIY ice cream sundae kits are inclusive options that are designed to bring employees — and even clients — together after a job well done.

To make the celebration even more memorable, send the team home with a themed gift that ties into the meal. 

Consider artisanal hot sauce collections for taco night, pizza dough kits to bake at home, or candy boxes fitting for an ice cream social.

These tasty takeaways help make employee and customer appreciation gifts feel effortless and ensure that the occasion is remembered long after the last bite.

Welcome a new team member

What better way to say ‘welcome to the team’ than with food? It’s a simple yet impactful gesture to help new team members feel valued and excited from day one. 

Employee gift boxes filled with unique snacks, fresh local fruit, or premium chocolates are a sweet way to kickstart a new hire’s journey. 

Work anniversary recognitions

As a new hire’s journey continues, celebrate milestones like one-, five-, and 10-year work anniversaries with food gifts that grow in value over time. 

For instance, start with a snack box or gourmet coffee for the first year, then treat them to a four-course meal at five years as a fun way to show appreciation and keep those good vibes going. 

Use ezCater’s Dietary and Cuisine filters to quickly narrow down anniversary meal options, from vegetarian-friendly or gluten-free spreads to hearty Italian or BBQ favorites.

Retirement gifts

Once an employee’s journey comes to an end, a retirement gift is the perfect way to express your gratitude for their years of hard work.

Consider a gourmet spice set to inspire their next culinary adventure, a premium tea collection for relaxing mornings, or a personalized box of their favorite chocolates to savor the moment.

With a meaningful retirement gift, you’ll create a send-off they’ll always remember.

Quarterly performance rewards

Each quarter, treat your team to a new culinary experience, offering everything from flavorful curry spreads to fresh Mediterranean platters. 

The excitement doesn’t have to stop there. You can also include gift boxes overflowing with their favorite goodies, too, like local pastries or seasonal treats.

Deliver the perfect corporate gift with ezCater 

Few corporate gifts resonate quite like food — the universal crowd-pleaser that leaves a lasting impression. With ezCater, delivering thoughtful food gifts has never been easier. 

From the time-saving Dietary and Cuisine filters to the convenient Gifting filter that highlights top-rated local restaurants, ezCater helps find the perfect gifts for employees, clients, key accounts, and prospects alike. 

Ready to show your appreciation with a corporate gift they’ll remember? Place an order today.