“置き社食”で福利厚生　岩手県内で導入進む　手ごろな価格が社員に人気 (26/07/10 22:50)

"On-site company cafeterias" refer to a service where employees can purchase meals at reasonable prices by installing dedicated refrigerators, primarily within their offices. Due to rising costs of living, the number of companies adopting this service is increasing in Iwate Prefecture. We conducted interviews to gather information. We also asked people in the city about the impact of rising costs on their lunch habits. Company employee (60s): "Lunch used to cost a little over 1000 yen, but now it costs between 1500 and 2000 yen. Sometimes I can't even afford lunch for 1000 yen, so I make my own lunch." Student (10s): "As a first-year university student, I want to keep my food expenses down. Sometimes I buy meat or fish with friends and cook it at home." According to a survey conducted by Iwagin Research & Consulting in August 2025 among residents of the prefecture, the number one measure taken to combat rising prices was "avoiding purchases of non-essential items," followed by "reducing eating out expenses" in third place and "reducing food expenses" in fourth place, with items related to lunch costs dominating the top rankings. Amidst growing awareness of the need to save on food expenses, one company has introduced a new employee benefit through "food." This is Canaan Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Morioka City. They perform precision sheet metal processing for semiconductor manufacturing equipment essential for the production of automobiles, smartphones, and other products. The refrigerator in a corner of the break room is part of a stationary company cafeteria service called "Vegetables in the Office," which was introduced in October 2025. Looking inside the refrigerator, you'll find salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The most expensive items in the refrigerator and freezer are priced at 400 yen, while others are 100 or 200 yen. Announcer Megumi Nishijima: "I'll try a salad and a sandwich. They're incredibly fresh. I'm so happy to be able to get such fresh vegetables at work." At lunchtime, a line of employees forms in front of the refrigerator. The affordable prices and healthy, vegetable-centered menu are said to be popular. For example, employees can purchase salads for 200 yen, with the company covering a monthly usage fee. Here's what some employees said: "Regarding the price, the company subsidizes part of it, so we can keep it low. It's tough with rising prices, but these kinds of employee benefits are a huge help." "I usually eat greasy foods, so I'm trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet to be healthier." "When I'm busy, I sometimes don't have time to prepare meals. I sometimes buy ready-made meals here for dinner." Kazuhiro Abe, Canaan Manufacturing Co., Ltd. "We introduced this hoping that our employees would take better care of their health. It's created an environment where they can easily get vegetables and fruits, and it's been well-received by our employees." According to KOMPEITO, the Tokyo-based company providing this service, the cumulative number of locations in the prefecture is increasing year by year: 43 in 2024, 176 in 2025, and 322 in 2026. KONPEITO, Sayuri Shirai "With rising prices, more companies are looking to subsidize their employees' meals. (In Iwate Prefecture) it can take 5 or 10 minutes by car to even get to a convenience store or supermarket. Being able to easily purchase healthy meals while at the office is a great benefit." In April 2026, the tax-free limit for employee meal subsidies was raised from 3,500 yen to 7,000 yen per person per month. This revision, the first in 42 years, is creating an environment where companies can more easily support their employees through food. Kazuhiro Abe, Canaan Manufacturing "Since we get different menus each time, it's sparked more conversation, like, 'What's coming today?' I think it's also contributing to showcasing the company's appeal, not just in terms of salary and benefits." Implementation costs vary depending on the number of items provided per month, but for example, a contract plan for 150 items per month starts from 60,000 yen per month. KONPEITO's Sayuri Shirai "We're seeing a significant increase in companies adopting our service, particularly in Tohoku and Iwate Prefecture. We want to expand even further and work hard to establish manufacturing and distribution bases in Iwate Prefecture." A new form of employee benefit that supports workers through "food," against the backdrop of rising prices and other factors. As creating a workplace where employees want to continue working becomes increasingly important for companies, such services may be becoming an integral part of a company's appeal.