ABSTRACT
In the European market, meal vouchers have long been an established means of facilitating meal benefits for employees. Their appeal in several member states, including France and Italy, lies in their tax efficiency and convenience. These vouchers, while traditionally paper-based, have seen a digital transformation in recent years, adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of workplace benefits.
Italy has seen the emergence of a new business model during the COVID-19 pandemic called the “Mensa Diffusa” or distributed canteen. This decentralised system is different from the traditional meal vouchers market and allows employees to access meals from a network of local partner restaurants using a personalised app that also provides nutritional information. This innovative approach offers a wider range of food choices to cater to diverse preferences and provides a more inclusive and flexible lunch break experience while promoting community integration and the local economy.
The juxtaposition of the meal voucher system and Italy’s distributed canteen model presents an intriguing exploration into the evolution of employee meal benefits. While the meal voucher system emphasises consistency and accessibility, the distributed canteen spotlights flexibility, diversity and community engagement.
