A strong foundation and a clear opportunity to lead
The 2026 World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) Food and Agriculture Benchmark shows that companies continue to be the primary drivers of workforce nutrition action, and workforce nutrition remains one of the more advanced healthy food systems indicators measured.
Out of 350 companies assessed, 86 reported implementing workforce nutrition programmes in 2026. While the overall level of maturity remains strong when compared to other indicators, the findings surface a timely opportunity for companies to expand reach, deepen implementation, and accelerate impact
Where leadership is emerging
Workforce nutrition programmes are most prevalent among companies headquartered in East Asia & Pacific (40 companies) and Europe & Central Asia (25 companies). Activity is also expanding across North America (12 companies), Latin America & the Caribbean (8 companies), and the Middle East & North Africa (1 company), indicating growing peer learning and momentum beyond traditional hubs.
Why this matters now
Regions such as Europe and East Asia have historically led in corporate health and wellbeing. Yet even in these platforms, workforce nutrition is becoming increasingly critical as corporate agendas evolve toward accelerating investment in digitalisation and AI.
This shift poses the risk that nutrition, one of the most proven levers for workforce performance and resilience, could be sidelined. But there is also a massive opportunity: ensuring that human performance foundations keep pace with technology investments. After all, energized and resilient workforces are what enable transformation.
Workforce nutrition is a high-return, practical investment
Evidence continues to show that workforce nutrition is a feasible, high-value solution. McKinsey Health Institute research highlights that workplace health interventions, including nutrition, are among the most practical and impactful ways organisations can boost employees’ energy, engagement, productivity, and retention, while also reducing absenteeism and health-related costs. In other words, as companies invest in future-ready technologies, nutrition remains a core driver of performance and resilience that technology alone cannot replace.
The 2026 benchmark points to three emerging milestones:
- Breastfeeding Support: 85 companies now offer breastfeeding policies or programmes, indicating growing recognition of the importance of nutrition in the critical first 1,000 days of life.
- Access to Healthy Food at Work: 10 companies are providing healthy food directly to employees thereby moving nutrition support into daily workplace practice.
- A breakthrough supply chain inclusion: 5 companies, including Nestle, Olam, Bayer, Unilever, DSM-Firmenich, are extending workforce nutrition into supply chains – marking the next frontier for reach and equity.
These figures highlight meaningful progress – and an even larger untapped opportunity. To help companies move from intention to action, the Workforce Nutrition Alliance provides a range of support for executives developing or implementing workplace nutrition programs across the four pillars, including access to healthy food at work, breastfeeding support, nutrition-focused health checks, and nutrition education. Resources include Scorecards, Guidebooks, and Webinars, as well as a three-month online Masterclass.