sustainable food in a corporate cafeteria

My friend Jon and I were recently discussing how a great business (both in terms of doing well in the world and meeting a market need) would be delivering healthy, sustainably produced, organic meals to local office buildings. Think of the lunch options that most corporate employees face: either an on-site cafeteria (not usually a nexus of sustainable or healthy fare), or the restaurants available in a few-block radius, perhaps offering gyros or subs, sushi or pizza. In short, people with an interest in ethical eating might have few satisfying choices while at work.

It turns out that the folks at Wired have beaten us to the idea and are already treating their employees to just such sustainable food. Chef Phil Ferrato has been cooking breakfast and lunch in the Wired cafeteria for ten years, delivering simple but satisfying meals sourced from local, sustainable ingredients. (Read about one blogger's experience here.) Kudos to Chef Ferrato for implementing this practice, and to the head(s) of Wired for having chosen him for their corporate cafeteria. I'm willing to bet that the reputation of their cafeteria has done wonders for Wired's recruiting efforts. In that case, Wired validates the adage that treating your employees well will reap its own rewards.