Of Course There’s Free Lunch: It’s Google
By Jill Nussinow, MS, RD
 
Mention “Google,” and the trusty internet search engine probably comes to mind. But for a few thousand lucky ducks, “Google” translates to “cool workplace.”

At Google’s corporate campus in Mountain View, Calif., behemoth busses dot the parking lot, touting services such as on-site dentistry, dry cleaning and hair styling. Staff can even have their cars detailed while they work. Between buildings on campus, a volleyball court and swimming pool come in to focus. Out of sight are the gymnasium—designed to rival any top-notch health club in the country—and many cafés and commissaries.

Ah, the cafés. To refer to them as such seems an understatement. The cuisine ranges from Asian to Italian to Mexican. One eatery—Café 150—serves only food grown within 150 miles of Google HQ. To satisfy between-meal hunger, snack stations in each building are stocked with energy bars, chips and bottled drinks.

Thirty-something former attorney Justin Lucke began at Google’s Plymouth Rocks Café in December 2006 as head veg chef. One of his latest creations is Southern Braised Tempeh Stew, which takes center stage during “Southern Rocks Fridays” at the café.

“Amazing things are happening here,” says Lucke, who calls his cuisine “inspired vegan cooking for the modern-day tech guru.” He thinks Googlers choose the meatless fare because it tastes great, but hopes to educate his colleagues about health and environmental concerns, too.
 
In addition to the free lunch, the company offers complimentary breakfast and dinner. Maybe free, healthy and delicious food is just the ticket to on-the-job happiness—for employees and employers alike.


In a typical week, Google’s kitchens burns through:

2,025 pounds of bananas

2,700 pounds of apples

13,200 pounds of mushrooms
 
Google’s 11 cafes and micro-kitchens serve employees, visitors and invited guests. Cafés with veg options include:

Cafe 150: Globally inspired cuisine made with local ingredients

Charlie’s Cafe: Pizza, Southwestern, Indo-Pakistani, pasta and desserts

No-Name Cafe: Salads tossed to order, plus a sandwich and panini bar

Pacific Cafe: Asian-inspired fare, including veggie sushi

Plymouth Rocks: American cuisine with a Southern flair