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Meal kit delivery services are spreading across the country like wildfire.
It’s the ideal trend for those who like to prepare their own meals yet still enjoy the convenience.
There is a tug of war over the future of food consumption in the United States and all of the big brands are trying to get a piece of the pie.
Big name corporations like Amazon, Walmart, Gobble, among others are all competing to take center stage in this new burgeoning market.
And consumers can expect even more grocers to follow suit.
Most meal kit delivery services came on the food market scene in 2012, with many of them still labeled as startups, while a small few like Gobble started a couple of years earlier
Sun Basket, for example, is still relatively young, having launched in 2014.
Based in San Francisco, Sun Basket is a subscription-based meal kit delivery service and is noted as shipping its members fresh, organic ingredients and recipes monthly.
This sustainable meal kit segment is growing in popularity, especially with companies offering promotional programs, such as this Sun Basket promo.
What Are Reviewers Saying About Meal Kits?
When it comes to taste, simplicity, and convenience, each meal kit delivery company has received excellent reviews.
However, when it comes to sustainability, only a select few meet the bar.
The brand touted consistently as being at the top of the list for being organic, healthy, and green is Sun Basket.
In an article by The Good Trade, Sun Basket has teamed up with top-grade farmers from the Pacific Coast, “hand selecting” the seasonal ingredients that go into its meal kits.
In a food kit review by My Food Subscriptions, it got five out of five stars for the following:
- Specific dietary choices
- Recipe choices
- Customer interface
- Packaging
- Price
- Customer support
To add to the Sun Basket’s stellar reputation for thinking green, it donates to local food banks in the area, as well as treats its employees through various Employee Programs.
How to Order a Meal Kit
Ordering a meal kit is as easy as ordering a pizza online – choose some recipes intended for two to four people.
As for Sun Basket, each meal is $11.49. All meals are under 800 calories, customizable and include vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo options.
Chef Justine Kelly, the founder of Sun Basket, creates each meal, which is approved by the company’s in-house nutritionist.
Every week, customers receive a recyclable insulated box with fresh, pre-measured ingredients.
Consumers don’t have to worry about being stuck in an obligation because they can cancel their orders at any time.
How Meal Kits Are Better Than Regular Grocery Shopping
There is some debate as to whether or not kit meals are worth the money.
There are good arguments on each side of the fence. However, after closer inspection, it’s easy to see kit meals are worth the time and money.
No matter how good of a cook one is, there is a lot that goes into preparing and cooking a wholesome home-cooked meal.
First, there is the whole ordeal of figuring out what you and the family want for dinner.
Once that is all figured out, a trip to the grocer is more than likely necessary, which can take up to an hour depending on how long the line is at checkout and traffic conditions to and from the grocery store.
Lastly, the ingredients must be prepared and the meal cooked. It’s fair to say you’re looking at two to three hours spent preparing for and cooking dinner.
Even if the ingredients cost less on one occasion, it doesn’t mean they will the next time around.
Considering the time and energy spent as well, even if each kit meal cost $20, they’re far more convenient and cost-effective than shopping at the grocery store regularly and cooking at home.
Furthermore, there is the fact that the average American household throws away $1,500 of food annually.
With how kit meals are designed, if one follows the recommendations offered by the kit meal delivery service, no food will get thrown away.
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This content is sponsored by Andrej Kovacevic.
Photo: Shutterstock