If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have much time to shop and cook, a meal kit service can be the answer. These services deliver pre-measured ingredients, recipes and instructions to your door.
They’re often less expensive than buying a bunch of fresh ingredients and cooking them yourself. Some even offer low-calorie and low-carb menus.
Cost
If you’re looking for a way to save money on your meals, a meal kit is a great option. They typically cost less than going out to eat, and they’re also convenient for people who don’t have time to cook.
Some companies offer a variety of recipes, including ones for vegetarians and those with specific dietary needs. Some also offer a wide selection of ingredients that are low in calories and sugar, or even gluten-free.
The price of meal kits varies according to the services you choose, your delivery cadence and how many people you plan to cook for. Some services are more budget-friendly than others, with prices ranging from $5 to $15 per serving.
EveryPlate is an affordable meal kit that offers a variety of delicious, easy-to-make dishes. Its recipes are six steps or less, so they’re perfect for those who don’t have much experience cooking at home.
This recipe-delivery service offers a variety of options, including meals made with high-quality ingredients and organic produce. Their recipes are crafted by chefs and registered dietitians, so you can rest assured that they’re healthy.
These kits are also great for those who want to try out new recipes without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. They offer a selection of meals that don’t require a lot of prep, like sweet potato and wild rice hash, tomatillo and hot pepper flatbread, and apple cinnamon forager bowl.
In addition to its meal kits, Sunbasket also offers ready-to-heat meals that you can cook at home. Its menu is full of recipes from chefs and registered dietitians, and it includes recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Another budget-friendly option is Dinnerly, a branch of Marley Spoon that has launched in 2017. This service allows you to select up to six weekly meals for a minimal fee.
The number of competitors in the meal kit space has increased, and competition is likely to continue growing. Some experts say that the industry will eventually converge to just a few players. They believe that consolidation in the meal kit market is similar to the daily deal industry that emerged a few years ago, which consolidated to Groupon and LivingSocial.
Variety
Meal kits are a great way to save time, try new ingredients and dishes, and cut down on food waste. There are a variety of services to choose from, and the price depends on several factors, including the quality of the meal, the frequency of deliveries and the type of package you select.
The best way to determine which is right for you and your family is to sign up for free trials or take advantage of a referral program to earn extra credits toward your next order. Some services even offer a rewards card, which can save you money over the long haul.
Some of the more expensive services may not be worth it, so it’s best to do your research before signing up. The most budget-friendly option is EveryPlate, which offers six dinner-worthy meals at around $5 a serving (or about $6 if you go for two or more people). For those who prefer to shop local, the next best thing is Freshly, which delivers four to 12 single-serving meals and costs less than $10 per box. The company also has a very generous referral program. The best part is that you can choose from a wide range of food and drink options, from upscale restaurant selections to high-end frozen treats.
Prep Time
Depending on the meal kit service you choose, preparation time can range from 30 minutes to an hour or more. If you are a time-strapped eater, this can be a big deal. In fact, according to one study, the average American spends nearly seven hours a week cooking and cleaning up.
While the prep time may be an issue for some, it isn’t the only thing to consider when looking to save time in the kitchen. For instance, the company Blue Apron uses high-tech methods to save time by sourcing ingredients from local farmers and creating recipes that require minimal cooking time.
The best meal kit is the one that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Luckily, there are several meal kits available on the market that cater to all tastebuds, and most of them are relatively inexpensive.
In addition to saving time in the kitchen, a meal kit can also save you money on your grocery bill. Having the right meals delivered to your door can cut down on the number of trips to the supermarket or grocery store, and it’s not just about the food: the meal kit itself could be made out of recyclable materials like cardboard and plastic.
If you are a foodie with a taste for the finer things in life, consider starting your own meal kit delivery service. This business has some of the best potential to turn a profit, and with proper planning and management it can be an extremely lucrative venture for the lucky owner.
Environmental Impact
A subscription meal kit service is a popular way to have fresh ingredients delivered to your home. These services are often criticized for the amount of packaging they use. While this is true, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of these services.
One way is to choose meal kits that have minimal packaging and use recyclable materials. EveryPlate, for example, uses an eco-friendly box that is fully recyclable by weight. It also uses curbside recycling.
Meal kits also reduce waste by delivering pre-portioned ingredients that are easy to prepare. This eliminates the potential for overbuying and food waste, which can be a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Another way that meal kits reduce their environmental impact is by using less energy to transport them to your door. They do this through a short supply chain that minimizes transportation costs and refrigeration requirements. They may even utilize cooling packs to keep the meals fresh, which can have a lower environmental impact than refrigerated trucks and supermarket shelves.
Researchers from the University of Michigan found that, on average, grocery store meals are responsible for 33% more carbon emissions than a meal prepared with a meal kit. This was because they took into account all of the steps in the meal’s life cycle, from production to disposal.
The study measured the carbon dioxide emissions associated with five dinner recipes sourced and prepared from both a meal kit and a grocery store. They were salmon, cheeseburger, chicken, pasta and salad.
In order to determine the overall impact of meal kits, the University of Michigan scientists analyzed all of the major stages in the food’s life cycle. This included agricultural production, packaging, distribution and supply chain losses.
Agricultural production accounts for the largest share of these emissions. It also accounts for a large share of food waste.
However, the U-M researchers found that most of the environmental benefits from meal kits stem from their shorter supply chains and streamlined packaging. They also found that food waste was significantly lower with meal kits than with store-bought foods.