In this week’s episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we dig into the hot topic of Gen Z in the food industry. If you’ve ever heard a colleague moan that “Gen Z just don’t want to work,” or felt frustrated trying to figure out what really motivates the next generation, you’re absolutely not alone. Amy (a proud Gen X) and Lucy (a self-confessed “elder millennial”) get real about tackling stereotypes and decoding what Gen Z actually needs at work while sharing some personal confessions from their own early careers (yep, we’ve all hidden mistakes at some point!). We take a brutally honest look at why these generational differences matter for everyone in today’s food businesses. There’s plenty of chat about what’s driving Gen Z—from craving meaningful work that aligns with their values to needing environments where it’s genuinely safe to make mistakes. The episode also serves up practical advice on embracing the strengths Gen Z brings and reveals just how hilarious it is when two millennials can’t tell their Tik Toks from their reels. Most of all, there’s a heartfelt reminder: our industry thrives when we stop blaming each other, start listening, and adapt together.
We kick off this episode by confronting a very familiar narrative: Why is everyone blaming Gen Z for “not wanting to work”?
On Oh For Food’s Sake we refuse to let stereotypes go unchallenged. We ground the conversation in our blend of experience: decades in food manufacturing and retail, coaching, and plenty of mistake-covering confessions from the good old days.
Together, we share what they see on the ground: Gen Z is anything but lazy; instead, they’re hungry (pun intended!) for jobs with purpose, value alignment, and workplaces that actually support their well-being.
We hit on some key shifts: Gen Z isn’t learning everything by “osmosis” in the office, thanks to remote working and career launches during the pandemic. This means they need a different kind of support than “just get on with it”.
Amy shares candid voice notes from a Gen Z herself—juggling a degree apprenticeship, a side business, and a big corporate job—showcasing the real drive behind the headlines.
We share practical advice on bridging the generational gap and we don’t shy away from the frustrations but challenge leaders to stop “dinosaur-ing” and lean into more inclusive, empowering management.
If you’re an older-gen listener struggling to engage with Gen Z, or a younger industry pro trying to get your managers on-side without feeling like a cliché, there’s something for you here.
Timestamps
00:00 Supporting Gen Z in Remote Work
06:36 Gen Z: Bridging Generational Gaps
07:21 Empowering Through Contextual Understanding
11:48 Empowerment Through Structured Support
18:32 Understanding Gen Z Motivation
21:21 Regular Feedback & Nurturing Essential
25:19 Fostering Mutual Understanding at Work
27:40 Bridging Gen Z and Managers
Links and Resources:
Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/
You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/
For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.
Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/
See you next time!