During the 100 Days of Hell, while you're busy fine-tuning equipment and optimizing routes, there's one retention strategy hiding in plain sight that most companies overlook entirely. It's not complicated or expensive (relatively speaking), but it works like magic: Feed your crews. And I don't mean cheap vending machine snacks.

The Hidden Costs of Turnover During Busy Season

Let's talk about the real cost of turnover during the busy season. You're not just losing labor hours when a crew member walks off the job in June. You're losing:

✓ All the training you've invested

✓ The property knowledge they've accumulated

✓ The team dynamics they were part of

You're inheriting mistakes from hastily hired replacements, client complaints about inconsistent service, and the administrative nightmare of processing exits and onboarding new people—all during your busiest time when you have zero capacity.

Fueling Performance: Eating Well Matters

Landscape work is physically demanding in a way few other professions match. Your teams burn hundreds of calories daily in summer heat, often with limited access to quality food options. 

→ Cognitive and physical performance directly correlate to nutrition. When blood sugar crashes mid-afternoon, mistakes happen, efficiency plummets, and morale takes a nosedive.

The companies that maintain the strongest crews during the busy season have discovered creative approaches to feeding their teams. 

From Vending Machines to Food Trucks: Real-World Solutions

Some forward-thinking landscape businesses have instituted Food Truck Fridays, where different mobile vendors visit their yard each week. Crews look forward to it all week, and the communal meal creates camaraderie that transcends the daily grind.

Others have invested in heated lunch boxes that plug into truck outlets so crews can enjoy hot meals on site instead of settling for cold sandwiches or expensive fast food. Some even maintain vehicle-specific snack subscriptions that automatically replenish with high-quality, energy-dense options customized to crew preferences.

A Hot Meal Sends a Powerful Message—Here’s How to Start

When you provide food for your team—especially good food they actually want to eat—you're sending a powerful message that transcends calories. 

You're saying: I see you working incredibly hard in the heat. I'm grateful for your dedication. I appreciate how physically demanding this work is. I value your performance.

Showing your field crews appreciation creates reciprocity and loyalty that money alone often can't buy.

Small Gestures, Big Impact: How to Start Feeding Your Crews

Start small if you need to—stock coolers with quality electrolyte drinks instead of the cheapest soda option. Provide breakfast on early start days. Experiment with occasional catered lunches at the shop before crews depart. Watch what gets eaten and what doesn't—then iterate based on your findings. Involve your crew leaders in planning; they know what their teams want better than you do.

From Fuel to Loyalty: Why Feeding Crews Builds Stronger Teams

When people work in physically demanding jobs in the summer heat, food isn't just fuel—it's a powerful statement that shows you know they're not machines.

The landscape companies that thrive during the 100 Days of Hell have all discovered this simple truth: Feed them well, and they'll stick around when everyone else's crews are dropping like flies.

If you're ready to turn appreciation into action, Luncheaze makes it easy. Their self-heating lunchboxes are a game-changer for field crews—keeping meals hot, morale high, and retention strong. Integrated with ServiceTitan, they simplify meal logistics so you can focus on running your business, not packing lunches. Check out how Luncheaze can support your team during the 100 Days of Hell.