Nieuwe Lunch Cultuur launches petition for tax-free work lunch

Nieuwe Lunch Cultuur has started a petition to make the healthy work lunch tax-free. It will be presented to the Dutch House of Representatives’ Committee on Social Affairs and Employment on 17 November. Nieuwe Lunch Cultuur is involved as a consortium member in the t Medical Delta Program ‘CUPIDO’. 

In the Netherlands, around 25 million work lunches take place every week. Research shows that making these lunches healthier could lead to an 11% reduction in overweight and obesity, an 8% reduction in type 2 diabetes and a 10% reduction in cardiovascular disease. This results in greater vitality, lower sickness absence, higher productivity and stronger employee commitment. Yet current tax legislation makes it less attractive to offer healthy lunches.

In an online petition, Nieuwe Lunch Cultuur calls for the removal of barriers for employers. According to the initiators, a tax-free healthy work lunch contributes to a healthier society and a future-proof labour market.

The petition can be signed until 31 January 2027 at Petitie - Nieuwe Lunchcultuur