Office Fruit Station Playbook + 3 High-Impact Setups

What is an office fruit station?

An office fruit station is a designated space within your workplace pantry that offers fresh, ready-to-eat fruit and other healthy office snacks. More than just a bowl on the counter, it’s a thoughtfully stocked station designed to support employee wellness, encourage regular nutritious choices, and create an opportunity to connect with coworkers. 

When integrated into your larger pantry program, a fruit station does more than nourish. It signals a culture of care and can drive meaningful outcomes not just for employees but for your business. According to The FruitGuys, companies that invest in wellness programs, including fresh fruit delivery, see a return of at least $3.27 for every $1 spent. That's because incorporating healthy food choices into the workday results in fewer sick days, higher productivity, and better retention, making the fruit station a small but powerful part of your workplace strategy.

“Adding fresh fruit to your office snack station is a small change, but it can make a big impact,” said Erin Mittelstaedt, CEO of The FruitGuys. “Fruit has amazing health benefits for your team’s bodies and brains. Snacking on it can help them feel better and work more effectively, which is a wellness win that’s also great for your bottom line.”

How do I stock the right fruits?

Start by understanding your team’s preferences. What’s popular may surprise you, so it's best to survey your team or have office pantry inventory software that tracks consumption so you can continually optimize your selection. 

Why not just offer the same fruit year-round? The FruitGuys suggest trying to stick to a seasonal fruit selection when you can. Choosing fruit that’s in season means better flavor and better quality. Seasonal produce is harvested at peak ripeness, which means it tastes the way nature intended. Here are a few recommendations they outlined for each season:

• Spring: Tangerines, strawberries, cherries, kiwis, and mangoes
• Summer: Peaches, nectarines, plums, blueberries, and blackberries
• Fall: Apples, pears, Valencia oranges, and grapes
• Winter: Navel oranges, grapefruits, persimmons, and pomegranates
• Transition Between Seasons: Bulk order tropical fruits to mix things up 

These seasonal picks will not only taste better, but they are more sustainable. Seasonal fruit typically requires less energy to grow, store, and transport, especially when sourced from local or regional farms (which is why we love our friends at The FruitGuys). By rotating your fruit selection with the seasons, you not only improve taste and variety but also reduce your environmental impact.

How should fruit be stored to stay fresh and reduce waste?

The hardest part about offering fruit in the office is making sure it gets eaten before it goes bad. Once a banana turns even slightly brown, employees don't want anything to do with it. Throwing that banana away is like throwing your money away, and no one wants that. 

So we obviously had to ask The FruitGuys what their secret tips are to keep fruit fresh for as long as possible. Here's what they recommend: 

• Room Temp vs. Refrigeration: Store most fruits at room temperature, especially stone fruits (like peaches) that need warmer temps to ripen. Once ripe, refrigerate to extend their lifespan.
• Avoid Refrigerating Certain Fruits: Keep bananas in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight—not in the fridge, which will turn their skin black!
• Berries Need Special Care: Berries should be stored unwashed in the fridge, ideally in the ventilated container they arrive in​.
• Watch the Gas: Many fruits emit ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. To make your produce last longer, give all your fruits breathing room and consider separating different varieties. Apples are big ethylene emitters, so keep them away from ripe bananas. 
• Use Smart Displays: Open-air baskets with good ventilation work great. For perishable items like berries or cut fruit, use dedicated fridge drawers near the fruit station for easy access.

Where should I place my office fruit station?

The FruitGuys recommend treating fruit like a feature, not an afterthought. Here are two tips to ensure your fruit station is in an area that drives better choices. 

1. Place the fruit station near other high-traffic spots like the coffee bar or hydration station.
2. Keep it visible and accessible so more employees are encouraged to grab and go:
   • If it's on a shelf, keep it at eye level, as people typically grab the first thing they see. 
   • If it's in a fridge, keep it on the right side as people are right-handed and more likely to grab what's on the right. 
   • If it's on the counter, make sure it's in the center of the action and easy to see what's what. 

"I always recommend placing fresh fruit in high-traffic areas where employees already hang out, like the break room or coffee station. That way, it's easy for them to make it a habit to grab a fresh apple or peach. Plus, complimentary snacks are nearby if they want to pick up a protein bar or a sparkling water to round out their snack break," said Stephanie Araujo, key account manager for The FruitGuys.

How do I make it visually appealing?

People eat with their eyes first. A fruit station that looks fresh, organized, and intentional is more likely to draw people in and encourage healthy choices. Visual appeal doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a bit of thought.

• Tiered Trays and Dividers: These help separate fruit by type, prevent bruising, and create a more structured display. They also make it easier for employees to quickly grab what they want.
• Color Coordination: Group fruit by color to create a clean, market-style layout. Try placing cooler tones like greens and purples on one side and warmer tones like reds and oranges on the other.
• Keep It Full, Not Overstuffed: A well-stocked but not overflowing display signals freshness and care.

3 Office Fruit Station Design Ideas

Need inspiration? Here are three fruit stations that get it right.

What works: 

• The Fruit Placement Is Central and Easy to Access: Positioned on the main kitchen counter, the box is highly visible and encourages spontaneous, healthy snacking. Employees are more likely to grab a piece when it’s in their direct line of sight.
• The Divided Fruit Box Reduces Bruising and Waste: Individual slots keep fruit separated, which helps prevent bruising and keeps each piece looking fresh. As The FruitGuys note, once fruit starts to look damaged, it’s much more likely to be ignored and eventually tossed.
• Napkins Are Placed Nearby for Convenience: By keeping napkins within arm’s reach, employees can grab what they need quickly without disrupting the flow of the space. It adds a simple but thoughtful layer of functionality to the setup.

What works: 

• The Fruit Is Placed at the End of the Coffee Station Line: Strategically positioned next to the coffee and water machines, the fruit becomes a natural part of the grab-and-go routine. This placement encourages people to make a healthy choice as part of their daily habits without needing to seek it out.
• Tiered Baskets Maximize Vertical Space and Visibility: Stackable wire baskets make efficient use of a small footprint, allowing for separation and easy access to different fruit types. The clean vertical layout also makes it easier for employees to spot what’s available at a glance. 
• Open-Air Storage Supports Freshness: The breathable design of the wire baskets promotes airflow, which helps reduce moisture buildup and keeps fruit like bananas and oranges fresh longer. It’s a simple way to extend shelf life and minimize waste.

What works: 

• The Fruit Is Placed at Eye Level Within the Snack Wall: Positioning apples, oranges, and bananas at the top of the open shelving makes them one of the first things employees see. This prime placement not only can help drive healthier snack choices, but it's great for your budget as fruit is less expensive per unit.  
• Wooden Crates Keep the Display Neat and Accessible: Using uniform crates helps contain the fruit while keeping it easy to grab. Each fruit type has its own space, which prevents bruising and creates a cleaner, more inviting look.
• Color Blocking Adds Visual Appeal: Grouping fruits together creates a color block design within your pantry that makes the display more eye-catching, so your eyes land on the fruit first!

Conclusion

An office fruit station might seem simple, but when it’s thoughtfully placed, seasonally stocked, and visually inviting, it becomes a powerful part of your workplace experience. It’s not just about offering something healthy, but it’s about creating a culture of care, supporting better habits, and driving real impact for your people and your business.

With insights from The FruitGuys and examples from real workplaces, you now have a playbook for building a fruit station that gets used. Whether you're adding a small display near the coffee machine or designing a full pantry wall, the goal is the same: make healthy choices easier, fresher, and more enjoyable every day.