> This is how I know I'm old. Instead of giving me the cheapest viable dinner possible, why not spring for something more tasty, healthy, and costly? Pizza is the free meal equivalent of minimum wage.

That's not all of it, though. It's also one of those meals that are logistically east, because most people are OK with pizza. "[S]omething more tasty, healthy, and costly" is also the kind of thing that will likely require separate individualized orders for each person.

Facebook managers have used sushi to motivate employees to complete the internal employee sentiment survey routinely every half for the last n years (something between the novelty and properties you describe) makes it attractive to folks

Kind of shows the difference in worlds between plain old tech (sushi as motivation for a half hour survey) vs gaming (food as incentive/etc. for ridiculous hours)

Just give me money so I can spend it how I want to, free perks at work aren't actually free

Naively, yes. But if they gave you the $X to spend however you want, you'd have to pay income taxes out of it and then sales taxes to buy for yourself. When the workplace does it, they don't -- and it's an expense for them! Plus, they get the bulk price.

In which case let the employees decide what to spend things on

If they did it that way, it would be taxable income.

There's something to be said for a guilt-free indulgence.

Also... isn't there just food at the cafeteria?

If there's no food at the office I'd start worrying about the company not being able to secure funding.