At Compt, we’re all about giving employees the flexibility to spend on what matters most. That’s why, every year, we dive deep into data from our lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs) to uncover how employees are using their stipends. In 2024, one category has taken the spotlight: food and wellness. But what are the top food stipend categories employees turn to most?

According to our 2025 Annual Lifestyle Benefits Benchmark Report, food is one of the top lifestyle benefit categories, coming in second only to wellness in employee spending. And, on average, companies allocate $180 to $480 per year per employee for meal stipends, according to the report.

However, your employees don’t just spend their (food) stipends at big-name stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Costco — they’re spending in more diverse and personalized ways.

Through the Compt platform, employees can add details (up to 255 characters) about how they use their stipends. The extra detail (maybe we’ll refer to it as extra spice or flavor?) helps fast-track reimbursement by giving employers a more thorough insight to reject or approve the claim. 

But we also love to understand all the original ways employees are using their food stipends and meal allowances (and more across all 25+ of our taxable and non-taxable categories). 

Let’s dig into six food-related categories employees love (no fork and knife required), to see what types of food bring a little extra happiness into their lives.

1. Everyday Food

When it comes to the day-to-day, employees seem to appreciate the ability to enjoy quality meals, stock up on groceries, share team lunches, and treat themselves to snacks.

• Daily meals. Daily meals aren’t just food— they can be an experience (“Afghani food”), an opportunity (“sushi dinner”), or soul nourishment (“soul food with my girlfriend”).
• Groceries. These are household essentials such as “healthy meals for dinner,” “salmon and olives,” and even “Morton’s Kosher Salt” (It.Was.Needed!). 
• Team meals and events. Team outings and shared meals foster community, with employees spending on “a marketing team lunch!” or a “holiday lunch for the tax team,” where food and connection go hand in hand.
• Snacks and treats. Snacks can brighten the workday and add a touch of fun. From “Girl Scout Cookies” to “sparkling water,” these small indulgences show how food stipends cater to even the simplest joys.

2. Health and Wellness Food

Well-being is a priority, and employees use their stipends to support healthy eating and nutrition. Unsurprisingly, Food and Health & Wellness are two of the most popular stipend claim categories every year. We expect to see this continue to be among our top food stipend categories. For example examples:

• Health-related purchases. Many employees are looking for easy ways to be healthier in their daily lives. This resulted in stipend usage, with specific callouts on supplements and wellness foods. Some examples were “Core Power Fairlife 26g Protein Milk Shakes” and “Herbalife energy mix.”
• Organic and nutrition-focused foods. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, you need healthy food. And the best way to get healthy food is to go eco and organic. So it’s no wonder that the employees spent their stipend on food such as “vegan non-processed cheese,” “bone broth,” and “Hello Fresh Meal Kits.” Specialized food like this can add up, so having an extra monetary boost can help special needs and diets.

3. Food Items

Beyond food itself, employees are investing in tools and supplies that make preparing meals easier.

• Household essential tools and appliances. Items like an “Air Fryer,” “Rice Cooker,” and even “Sparkling Water Maker” simplify daily cooking (and potential mocktail making), allowing employees to whip up meals at home with ease.

4. Special Occasions and Gifts

When it comes to marking milestones, stipends make it easy for employees to celebrate life’s special moments.

• Special Celebrations. There’s a special kind of joy your employees experience when they use their stipends for moments that bring loved ones together, such as “Easter dinner with family” or a “son’s 16th birthday dinner.” 
• Gifts and treats for others. From “Mother’s Day lunch” to “Bundt Cakes for a farewell party,” employees are finding new ways to treat others, adding a personal touch to their celebrations, and showing how stipends go beyond personal use.

5. Office-Related Food

Food-related spending isn’t limited to individual needs, as many employees are also using their stipends to enhance their work environments.

• Office supplies and snacks. Office snacks such as “almonds, raisins, seeds, figs, and cashews” and essentials like “coffee beans for the home office” or “Refillable Nespresso pods” make their workday way more enjoyable and productive, thanks to the extra caffeine boost, too! 
• Events and Outings: To bond with their teammates in and outside of the office, employees are also spending money on outings like “offsite mini-golf” and “Zoom lunch events,” where food, fun, and drinks mix well.

6. Travel Food

Travel often brings memorable meals, and employees use their stipends to try local cuisines and enjoy special dining experiences. Because Compt reimburses employees across different currencies, too, this is never an issue when dining abroad. 

• Travel food. From a “date night dinner in Puerto Vallarta” to “breakfast in Switzerland,” travel meals allow employees to make the most of their journeys. And who doesn’t love trying out new food in exciting, different places?

Psst: Want more insights? Download our Mid-Year Lifestyle Benefits Benchmark Report for more on what employees truly value in their benefits.

Do you know your own top food stipend categories? Here’s a little food for thought (we had to…)

Our Mid-Year Report shows that food-related stipends go far beyond the basics, with employees creating meaningful experiences with every bite. Whether it’s health and wellness, connecting with colleagues, or celebrating loved ones, food continues to play a significant role in employee well-being and satisfaction.

So, if you’re ready to fuel your employees’ happiness through a food stipend and a flexible lifestyle benefits program, contact our team!