Suggestions for a meal delivery service?
Dana emails:
We're expecting a baby soon and were looking for a meal delivery service in the Capital District. Not necessarily to lose weight, but something that's somewhat healthy, delivered cold, but that can be warmed up for meals, so we don't have to worry about meals every night once the baby's here. I've only seen services in other larger metropolitan areas, but not in ours. Any ideas/suggestions?
We are, of course, interested in hearing about local suggestions. But we've also noticed recently there are some web-based companies that offer shipments of meals or pre-prepped meal ingredients. So maybe that's a related option. (We really have no idea -- we have not seen those services in action.) Or maybe you can think of a different angle -- like, say, small-scale catering -- that could work.
So, got a suggestion for Dana and family? Please share!
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Comments
9 Miles East Farm is an option, depending on where you live. It is kind of like a CSA, but they deliver meals, rather than vegetables.
From their website: "9 Miles East Farm makes it easy for for busy people to enjoy local food. Our subscribers sign up in advance for seasonal delivery of ready-to-reheat meals prepared from the vegetables grown on our farm, as well as other high-quality ingredients.
Meals are prepared in Department of Health certified commercial catering kitchen, packaged in recycled, compostable containers, and delivered to your home or office in our service area. We deliver to homes in Saratoga Springs, Wilton, Clifton Park, Malta, and Queensbury, and offices around the entire Capital District (Glens Falls to Albany/Troy/Rensselaer to Schenectady)."
http://www.9mileseast.com/
... said Jessica R W on Jul 28, 2015 at 1:37 PM | link
I am a new mom to a 7 month old and really struggled with this as well. I couldn't find exactly what you are looking for, but I have tried a number of alternatives.
1) I am a big believer in the take out specials a lot of local restaurants offer during the week. Athos offers dinner for 4 for $25 on Monday. The Italian community center offers Chicken Parm for 4 (more like 8) for $30 on Thursday nights. I could do those, go out once to pick them up and eat pretty well for a few days. I still have chicken parm in the freezer.
2) The Price Chopper fish counter offers steam bags for $5-6 that include fish and veggies that you pick up when grocery shopping, Super easy and healthy dinner. You just bake them for 30 minutes.
3) I eventually settled on Blue Apron, a web service. I love it. The meals aren't prepped but I don't have to think, plan, or shop so it does make life a lot easier. I get three meals a week and it only take about 25 minutes to cook them. I don't mind the cooking so much.
Another suggestion: Grocery shopping with a newborn is such a pain. Use the Shop 4 U services for the big orders.
... said Laura on Jul 28, 2015 at 2:13 PM | link
I've been using Hello Fresh. There is prep involved, but it's nothing like making an actual dinner - the time is cut down by quite a lot and the quality is really great.
... said Lola on Jul 28, 2015 at 2:19 PM | link
There are some non-local companies that serve the same purpose. Blue Apron, for example, delivers ingredients for 3 healthy meals a week. I don’t recommend them, however, especially with a newborn baby, as they are very time-consuming (much longer than their estimated times) and a bit of a hassle to cook. But perhaps there are other competitors out there in case the local options don’t pan out.
... said Craig on Jul 29, 2015 at 7:50 AM | link
One of my coworkers has great things to say about Zest's meal prep service! http://www.zestcooks.com/
I understand she's been using them to do a paleo meal plan, and has mentioned that everything freezes well and has been easy to work with. I know Carla does a variety of things, too. She caters some events for our office, and we're always happy with the result!
... said Jennifer on Jul 29, 2015 at 2:56 PM | link
Congratulations on your addition to the family. Previous poster Jessica R is quite right: My farm, 9 Miles East, is focused on making it easy for busy people to enjoy healthy food.
We deliver a variety of meal formats to workplaces around the Capital District, and to homes in some areas as well. Please let me know if there is anything our farm can do to help prepare quality food for your family.
... said Gordon Sacks on Jul 30, 2015 at 6:38 AM | link
Honest Weight Coop has a great selection of prepared foods. Also Bountiful Bread has dinners to go.
... said Danielle on Jul 31, 2015 at 9:40 AM | link
I highly recommend Legal Pantry. Full disclosure, she is a friend. You can peruse her website: http://legalpantry.com/ and get some information on what she offers. She is open to preparing and cooking meals for any event, situation or lifestyle that a client needs. Her work is amazing and she happens to be one of the most compassionate and kind people you will ever meet. I encourage you to contact Mary for help, you will not be disappointed. Good luck!
... said Angela C on Jul 31, 2015 at 11:39 AM | link
Assuming you don't mind cooking, Blue Apron, Plated, Hello Fresh (there are others too) are great services. They deliver all the ingredients you need, pre-portioned, with detailed instructions on how to prepare the meals.
I did a blog post about Blue Apron for anyone that's curious what the experience is like.
http://ilikefood518.blogspot.com/2015/06/blue-apron-pictorial.html
... said Steve N. on Aug 4, 2015 at 6:22 AM | link
We have had great fortune to have our friends and family cook for us, using a website like Take Them a Meal to coordinate. Once the baby arrives, ask people to sign up for a night. We found that folks often made enough for leftovers+, so food arriving every other day was perfect. You can add details about dietary restrictions easily. And we even had friends who didn't cook, but were thoughtful enough to send gift cards for take out or some fairly awesome grocery deliveries.
https://www.takethemameal.com
... said abby on Aug 4, 2015 at 6:56 AM | link
I am a huge fan of Mindful Meals To Go. They are a local company that delivers mainly to businesses but do some local delivery as well. Food is prepared fresh and delivered locally. So no cross-country shipping and excess packaging.
www.Mindfulmeals-togo.com
... said Roman J. on Feb 15, 2017 at 3:08 PM | link
Both (local) 9 Miles East Farm and Mindful Meals To Go conveniently stop at my office, and I will vouch for the quality of their meals and service. They might deliver close to you (or maybe directly). This covers 75% of my meals.
... said -S on Feb 15, 2017 at 5:16 PM | link