LinkedIn’s Food Programme: A Catalyst for Healthy and Sustainable Living

Fresh produce is more than nourishment; it’s a powerful tool for promoting sustainability initiatives and sparking employee engagement. At LinkedIn’s APAC headquarters in Singapore, Grobrix’s vertical farming walls have become a cornerstone of the company’s food program, enhancing workplace wellness and strengthening team bonding. Driven by a commitment to sustainability, wellness, and community, Grobrix partners with innovative companies like LinkedIn to create vibrant, health-conscious workplaces. We spoke with Natalie Hall, International Workplace Program Manager at LinkedIn, about how Grobrix’s green walls are transforming the office environment and supporting the company’s vision for a sustainable future.

Grobrix has been specially built into LinkedIn’s pantry area in its APAC HQ

A Sustainable Vision Takes Root

LinkedIn’s collaboration with Grobrix began as part of their global pursuit of sustainability initiatives. “Mathew and Gareth visited our office and talked to us about Grobrix, and it really resonated with me—the passion they had and the fact that it was developed locally,” Natalie shares. The decision to integrate Grobrix’s vertical gardens into the pantry area of LinkedIn’s APAC HQ was seamless, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and employee well-being. “Employees love it. They love seeing the different items growing, and they know they can’t get any fresher salad than from the salad bar every Tuesday,” she adds.

The green walls, which grow fresh herbs, leafy greens, and edible flowers, support LinkedIn’s efforts to achieve certifications like internationally recognised Well Certification, that awards workplaces that prioritize environmental responsibility and employee health. By producing hundreds of kilograms of farm-to-table produce annually, the plant walls eliminate thousands of single-use plastic wrappers and significantly reduce food waste. Of course, this too contributes to Singapore’s 30 by 30 goal to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030. 

“Grobrix ticks all the boxes for us. One of the key drivers of the food program is supporting local. It’s fresh, chemical-free, with no transport involved—you can’t get any fresher than having to walk literally 20 meters from where it’s harvested to being on the table. In terms of wellness, the Grobrix walls provide exactly the kind of green, nutritious food that aligns with our commitment to our employees’ health and well-being. Bonus: the walls look fantastic and are much more visually appealing than other vertical farming options we’ve seen,”

Natalie Hall, International Workplace Program Manager at Linked

This farm-to-table approach promotes employee wellness by providing access to nutritious, locally grown produce. The green walls provide a daily opportunity for employees to engage with sustainability, making it a tangible part of LinkedIn’s workplace culture. The integration of indoor farming reflects LinkedIn’s dedication to creating a health-conscious environment that supports both employees and the broader community.

Fostering Employee Engagement and Team Bonding

The Grobrix vertical gardens have become a vital part of LinkedIn’s workplace culture, enhancing employee engagement through interactive employee engagement activities.

“We do lots of activations for our employees. Once a month, we have our ‘In Days,’ which are themed days at LinkedIn. We grow different herbs on the Grobrix walls, now we use them to make fresh tea—like mint tea or lemon balm, or whatever concoction people prefer with the herbs. We’re always looking for new and fun ideas of what we can try, and that’s part of the joy of running the food program,”

Natalie shares. These team building events, such as crafting herbal teas or preparing salads, create opportunities for employees to collaborate and connect, fostering a sense of community.

The green walls transform the pantry area into a hub of interaction, encouraging employees to explore creative uses for the produce. The fortnightly salad bar, where employees harvest fresh greens, draws staff to the office and strengthens team bonding.

“When the Grobrix team is on-site, we often get a lot of people coming in. They engage in the workshops and talks, learning about the different produce, health benefits, and more,” 

These corporate workshops promote healthy eating and educate employees about sustainability, deepening their connection to their food sources.

The impact on LinkedIn’s workplace has been overwhelmingly positive. “We always get positive feedback. It’s hard to find anything not to like about the Grobrix walls,” Natalie notes. The plant walls enhance the office’s aesthetic appeal, creating a more inviting environment that encourages employees to spend time in the office, strengthening workplace culture in the hybrid work era.

Personalized Support from Grobrix

Grobrix’s Farming-as-a-Service model ensures the vertical gardens are easy to maintain and fully integrated into LinkedIn’s workplace. The Grobrix team provides consistent support through regular maintenance visits and personalized engagement, ensuring the plant walls remain a thriving part of the office environment. This seamless integration allows LinkedIn to focus on its core operations while reaping the benefits of indoor farming.

The green walls support LinkedIn’s food program by providing fresh, chemical-free produce, aligning with the company’s commitment to employee wellness and local sourcing. The accessibility of nutritious greens encourages employees to adopt healthier eating habits, enhancing their well-being.

A Catalyst for Sustainable Living

The Grobrix vertical gardens are more than an aesthetic feature—they are a tool for raising awareness about sustainability and food sources. By integrating urban farming into the office, LinkedIn encourages employees to adopt healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. The plant walls serve as a daily reminder of the company’s environmental commitments, making sustainability accessible and engaging for all staff.

LinkedIn plans to expand its use of Grobrix’s solutions through additional corporate workshops, such as pesto-making classes or smoothie bars, to further enhance employee engagement and promote sustainability.

“At Grobrix, we see a future where urban communities have a closer relationship with the source of their food,” . Mathew Howe, Grobrix Founder

For LinkedIn, the vertical gardens are a catalyst for cultural transformation, creating a workplace that inspires and connects.

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Future

LinkedIn’s partnership with Grobrix demonstrates the power of small, thoughtful changes to drive meaningful impact. The green walls transform the office into a hub of employee engagement and sustainability, fostering team bonding and promoting wellness. From monthly ‘In Days’ to weekly salad bars, Grobrix is helping LinkedIn cultivate a workplace that reflects its values and inspires its employees.

At Grobrix, we are proud to support companies like LinkedIn in their sustainability journey. With the right support and education, we believe it is possible to drive meaningful change and build a more sustainable future together. Got a question? We’d love to hear from you here.

Got a question? We’d love to hear from you

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