The rattle of the drinks trolley, pizza or snacks on Fridays or the fruit bowl in the lunch room.
They are the little perks that workers look forward to, cost the company relatively little and can persuade job seekers, employees and visitors into having positive feelings about a workplace.
A recent study showed the number of companies that provided free snacks and drinks to employees rose from 20% to 32% between 2013 and 2018.
From pizzas after work, drinks or coffee on Fridays, to daily access to snacks and breakfast foods - most companies have some form of food perk.
Providing free snacks gained popularity when internet giant Google started doing it.
The company said its food program was designed to encourage meaningful interactions among employees away from their desks.
People bond over food and happy and connected workmates are more productive.
Most employers provide free snacks and refreshments because they are genuinely good employers and want to reward staff.
There are also other reasons workplaces offer free snacks at work.
A article in the Harvard Business Review revealed frequent grazing to regulate blood sugar made you a better employee.
The research found when blood sugar dropped workers had less willpower and were less focussed.
Other research however has found most people do not need regular snacks to regulate blood sugar.
There is also conflicting thoughts on free snacks and how and why they are provided.
An office wide afternoon break when snacks are provided can be a real team-builder and gives the signal from the company to stop work and take five.
If snacks are provided toward the end of the shift and brought to desks it could signal an expectation to work later.
There is also the opinion that workers can come to rely on access to snacks so if, for some reason access is removed, it can have a very negative affect.
In the same way airline food breaks the boredom of flying, afternoon snacks on a Friday can make the day go quicker.
Psychologist Steven G Rogelberg said snacks helped keep focus and bond workers at meetings.
"Not only do people enjoy treats, snacks help build an upbeat mood state and foster camaraderie that can carry into the substance of the meeting itself," he said.
If there are serious workplace issues snacks are not a heal-all.
One employment coach said snacks could help you evaluate your job.
Workers who felt less valued at work clung to perks like office snacks and after work drinks.
If access to snacks was suddenly gone how would you feel about your job?
If snacks were one of the best things about being employed at the company it might be time to find a new job.
But if free snacks are just another bonus in an otherwise happy workplace, take it as a perk.
