Guide to Breakroom Supplies

Breakroom supplies can be the usual staples like coffee, candy and cookies or healthier choices like green tea and rice cakes. It all depends on the habits of your office staff. Whether your need Twizzlers or snacks Mom would like, there are many outlets that sell commercial breakroom items. And while a trip to the local drugstore sends you back to the office with a few bags of candy and a pack of napkins, buying wholesale breakroom supplies saves you time and money and keeps your employees happy at lunch and break time.

Writing a list of office breakroom supplies, like you write a home grocery list, saves money and prevents impulse purchases. Your supervisor will thank you. But the best way to save time and money is by ordering from wholesale breakroom supply providers. When you need snacks and beverages for your breakroom, consider the following:

1. Major office supply chain stores feature employee breakroom supplies in their retail locations.

2. Online firms sell business breakroom supplies for bargain prices and often have a larger selection than retail stores.

3. Specialty websites that sell a particular brand, snack or beverage give price breaks for high quantity purchases.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Visit your local office chain store or their website for break room supplies

Your local office supply store has an aisle devoted to canisters of candy and pretzels. They may not have the variety of items you need, especially if you have a large office staff, so check your favorite store's website for a larger selection. Set up an account with them to facilitate fast delivery and qualify for special discounts.

I recommend: Buy from Staples for a wide selection of snacks, from vanilla crème cookies to chewy granola bars, available for next day delivery and special discounts for bulk customers. Save money buying snacks and office lounge supplies from OfficeMax with a MaxPerks card for frequent buyers. Check out Office Depot for their paper and party goods and first aid supplies as well as candy and healthy snacks, sugar, creamer and bottled water at discounts.

Buy office breakroom supplies from websites specializing in snacks

Buy beverages, bottled water, candy and paper goods by the case to save extra money if you run a breakroom for a large company or throw lots of parties and informal meetings.

I recommend: Browse for hundreds of snacks and drinks from Betty Mills, an online breakroom supplier. Find deals on discontinued coffee packs on Overstock.com.

Purchase your favorite breakroom snacks and beverages directly from the manufacturer

If you buy lots of a particular snack or beverage, consult with one of their reps to see if you can buy the item at a discounted bulk price.

I recommend: Contact Nestle. They provide a discount program for companies that use their products like candy, chocolates and ice tea mix. Check coffee and beverage suppliers like Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for special prices on coffee and tea.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Always check featured products and specials of the day on break room supply websites. Even if you can't use the item immediately, it may come in handy later.

The official source of Breakroom Supplies is the Breakroom Supplies page at Business.com