Free food makes sense due to travel time and taxes. When you buy your own food, you pay with post-tax income. The employer can provide that food for less money

Free food makes sense due to travel time and taxes. When you buy your own food, you pay with post-tax income. The employer can provide that food for less money than it takes to pay you the extra money to buy the food. Alternately, you can get better food. Travel time can be hours. You may need to struggle with traffic or wait for a train. You may need to get all dressed up for the cold and then shovel snow off your car.