This is not just startup culture, it's most professional gatherings in general. Go to a conference of any kind, other than one that's in some sort of health/fi

This is not just startup culture, it's most professional gatherings in general. Go to a conference of any kind, other than one that's in some sort of health/fitness-related industry and you're bound to see the same thing. The primary reasons are: 1. The average person eats pretty poorly, and would consider carrot sticks and fruit smoothies pretty crappy "free food" for an event. Cooking particularly healthy food that can pass as exciting for most people would be prohibitively expensive. Food ordered in bulk or made economically for a lot of people tends to be less healthy. 2. Drinking at networking events is "necessary" for most people who have a difficult time approaching and engaging with strangers without a little social lubricant. Plus, free drinks draws a crowd, whereas networking only partially does. 3. These events are often an opportunity for otherwise unsocial people to get out of the house, chat with others, and indulge a little. For some, particularly people with spouses and kids, it's the only time they get to drink more than a beer with dinner and not feel like they're doing something they shouldn't be. It's supposed to be as much fun as it is work, and eating pizza and drinking beer is fun. As for the food being served at startups and the overeating it causes, that's just human nature. Let people eat whatever they want, and many will eat too much. Limit them, and they'll think less of your perk.