Meal kits: what's the point?

leanitup123

IMO it's just as easy to go to the store, buy a bag of salad mix and a can of tuna or a box of pasta and some cooked chicken. Why are people spending $X.XX dollars a month on meal kits like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, etc.

WendyLeigh1119

They're called "children". Many of us like to eat, but don't like to cook.

Aerona85

Will state up front I have never used them myself but have considered it: Convenience (going to the store isn't that simple for some...store a long way away, etc), not having the think about what to cook, new recipes to try (easier to get others to try stuff if it isn't "some crazy recipe you got online"), not having to make decisions, not knowing how to cook (they are more or less cooking lessons in many ways), and not having to eat the same stuff over and over (because many recipes out there make enough for 6-8 people, not everyone is fond of leftovers), variety. The benefit of services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron isn't money. That said, I can think of arguments against too, ultimately why I haven't tried them.

hesn92

I don't get it either. But I'm sure a meal that you make with blue apron is a lot better than a bag of salad mix and a can of tuna lol

bbell1985

lol OP and I eat the same thing.

I don't know. I hate cooking and can't imagine I'd enjoy assembling something I paid X amount for either. Gimme the bag of lettuce and some hot dogs.

Purplebunnysarah

All the prep work is done except the actual cooking. That said, the one I looked at was pretty high calories per serving for most meals.

jgnatca

I just spent a wedding shower with a gaggle of young women. They are all twenty-something. They talked about the trouble collecting all the spices to make a particular dish, and a few expressed interest in pre measured spice packets.

I think I managed not to look incredulous but then again I've been cooking a lot longer.

Why would I buy "pumpkin spice" when I have cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves in my cupboard?

I'm enough of a snob that I am loving my Garam Masala (itself a blend) in my curry dishes.

Cumin and chilli for Spanish themed dishes.

Ginger and soy sauce for Asian inspired.

Oregano and garlic in Italian.

Heck garlic in everything.

kommodevaran

I think it's a combination of learned helplessness and perceived convenience.

vaman

kommodevaran wrote: »

I think it's a combination of learned helplessness and perceived convenience.

Throw in a measure of laziness and I think you've got it.

kommodevaran

vaman wrote: »

kommodevaran wrote: »

I think it's a combination of learned helplessness and perceived convenience.

Throw in a measure of laziness and I think you've got it.

Actually, I think laziness is just that - a combination of learned helplessness and perceived convenience. I love easy and simple and never do anything unless I have to, or really want to. The only difference is that I'm no longer as sucked in by marketing propaganda, so my meals are now more nutritious and varied, balanced and tasty, cheap and flexible.

mlinci

I grew up in a communist country during the 80's when food in shops was totally basic and unexciting. I now live in London, with an abundance of supermarkets, specialist food stores, ethnic food stores, the biggest Whole Foods in England nearby...so I LOVE going food shopping. Whenever I see adverts for those pre-planned meals, I just laugh - why would I want to give up something as exciting as food shopping and end up paying a premium for somebody else's food choices? They are definitely not for me.

RodaRose

Delivery to the door means more than anything else for some people. It's a choice.

paperpudding

I dont use them myself - but it is just a choice, if people think the benifits outweigh the added cost, good for them.

I'm sure I do lots of things myself that could be done cheaper if I wasnt "lazy" - I could sew my own clothes, bake my own bread, wash dishes by hand, grow my own vegetables......

Why would I give up something as exciting as sewing and end up paying a premium for somebody else's fashion choices - well, because , for me, sewing is not exciting and I am quite happy to buy pre made clothes in shops that other people have designed.

I accept some other people feel that way about cooking and meal decisions.

KammyWal

WendyLeigh1119 wrote: »

They're called "children". Many of us like to eat, but don't like to cook.

Very true

jemhh

Convenience and getting to try new foods without buying all the spices can be handy for some. This is like saying why go out to eat when you can eat lettuce and tuna at home. Different people like and prioritize different things. Nbd.

wizzybeth

It's a convenience, like anything else. If I lived alone, I might try it. Probably too pricey for more than one person.

pebble4321

Hmmm, maybe I'm a child who is lazy, helpless and can't cook.
Or possibly, I'm an adult who likes having a box of high quality fresh veggies and meat/fish delivered to my door from time to time. With the service I use (once a month or so), I still need to do the prep and add some spices, sauces and staples - I get a pantry list the week before.

My reason - for those of you who are prepared to not be patronising for a millisecond - is that I like trying new recipes, I'm on my own for four weeks out of five (husband works away) and when I'm on my own I get bored with meal planning and like to having someone else do it now and again.

I am quite capable of finding recipes, making a shopping list and cooking - for one or more people. But sometimes I don't choose to do that. Just as sometimes I choose to eat out, sometimes I buy something convenient (like a cooked chook or a bag of salad), sometimes I have a cheese and Vegemite sandwich for dinner. I don't see why getting a box of nice produce on my doorstep is something so strange.

Yes, it's more expensive than doing my own shopping and cooking, but I don't eat out much when I'm on my own, so I'd say it all balances out. And even if it doesn't - well, that's my choice and my priorities!

Edited to add: if anyone in Western Australia wants to support a great local business, have a look at Dinner Twist.

nbingham

I don't use them myself because there are 4 of us and it's just not in our budget. But living in a very small, rural community where I can't get a lot of the more "exotic" ingredients makes those services pretty attractive. I kind of like the convenience of not having to drive an hour each way to pick up groceries for something new and yummy. Not everyone lives in a city with access to everything.

NoLimitFemme

jemhh wrote: »

Convenience and getting to try new foods without buying all the spices can be handy for some. This is like saying why go out to eat when you can eat lettuce and tuna at home. Different people like and prioritize different things. Nbd.

This is the only reason that I'd consider buying a meal kit. It would have to be a dish that I'd never make on my own, but am curious to try. I'd rather not buy a full size spice if it is something specific to a dish that I may never make again.

deannalfisher

I did home chef for a while - it simply came down to cost effectiveness - even with factoring in shipping, to buy the limited amounts that I needed for certain recipes (because I would need a full bottle rather than the limited amount in the serving) was cheaper and less wasteful - only need 3 spring onions - I'd get that, rather than having to buy a whole bunch that I might not use elsewhere

Chef_Barbell

Wow lol the judgement.
It's called choice and different priorities for people.

aflane

I see the appeal of the meal-kit delivery services. New, tested recipes right to my door. But that's the only appeal, in my opinion. Food prep (i.e., slicing, dicing, chopping, etc.) is still required. Yes, you end up with a pretty, restaurant-worthy dish. However, you spent at least 30 minutes in the kitchen doing food prep. No thanks. If I want a restaurant-worthy dish, I'll go to a restaurant for a similar price, and not have to do the work.

I already work a 10 hr day + 1-2 hrs commuting time (round trip). It's not appealing to me to work in the kitchen another 30 minutes. Can't I just season some chicken and throw it in the oven and then steam some broccoli? I don't need hollandaise, or my veggies perfectly julienned by hand.

Also, if food delivery is delivering my dinners, who's supplying my breakfasts and lunches? I'd STILL have to go to the grocery store, so no time savings on that end either. My mother tried to 'gift' me with a month of Blue Apron. I told her don't... it's not a gift!

Chef_Barbell

pebble4321 wrote: »

Hmmm, maybe I'm a child who is lazy, helpless and can't cook.
Or possibly, I'm an adult who likes having a box of high quality fresh veggies and meat/fish delivered to my door from time to time. With the service I use (once a month or so), I still need to do the prep and add some spices, sauces and staples - I get a pantry list the week before.

My reason - for those of you who are prepared to not be patronising for a millisecond - is that I like trying new recipes, I'm on my own for four weeks out of five (husband works away) and when I'm on my own I get bored with meal planning and like to having someone else do it now and again.

I am quite capable of finding recipes, making a shopping list and cooking - for one or more people. But sometimes I don't choose to do that. Just as sometimes I choose to eat out, sometimes I buy something convenient (like a cooked chook or a bag of salad), sometimes I have a cheese and Vegemite sandwich for dinner. I don't see why getting a box of nice produce on my doorstep is something so strange.

Yes, it's more expensive than doing my own shopping and cooking, but I don't eat out much when I'm on my own, so I'd say it all balances out. And even if it doesn't - well, that's my choice and my priorities!

Edited to add: if anyone in Western Australia wants to support a great local business, have a look at Dinner Twist.

So very well said!!! Exactly this!

WinoGelato

LOL OP.... I'm guessing you've never tried a service like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh? Just making some assumptions? Here are a few of this weeks menu choices for Blue Apron:. Keep in mind all the ingredients, including fresh vegetables, proteins someone doesn't cook with regularly, fresh herbs and somewhat obscure or exotic things like Thai basil, fregola, tomatillos, gai lan, are delivered to your door in the right quantities with clear directions on how to prep and prepare them.

Now it is pricey, and for the trial period I did it for I didn't find enough meals that would appeal to my small children on a regular basis, and the recipes themselves were a bit involved for what I really wanted help with which is quick weeknight meals. But, I remember thinking that it would have been great to have this option when I was newly married, getting more comfortable and then adventurous with my cooking, enjoying cooking and then eating together with my husband over a glass of wine, etc...

But yeah, it looks pretty much identical to a bag of salad and a can of tuna....

RachelElser

Wow! So much mean-ness! I don't use them- to pricey- but if I got them as a gift I would! How about- you can try new foods, you get foods that aren't available where you live, and it's fun to get something in the mail that isn't a bill.

WinoGelato

Chef_Barbell wrote: »

Wow lol the judgement.
It's called choice and different priorities for people.

Exactly. I also love when the judgement comes from people who clearly have incorrect assumptions about how something works.

Chef_Barbell

WinoGelato wrote: »

Chef_Barbell wrote: »

Wow lol the judgement.
It's called choice and different priorities for people.

Exactly. I also love when the judgement comes from people who clearly have incorrect assumptions about how something works.

I totally agree. I truly fail to understand how a meal deilivery kit is equivalent to some sort of personal life deficiency.

For us, they make the perfect 'date night' activity when we can't get a sitter and go out to eat. A bottle of wine and some fancy non kid friendly food and we're good to go.

WinoGelato

Chef_Barbell wrote: »

WinoGelato wrote: »

Chef_Barbell wrote: »

Wow lol the judgement.
It's called choice and different priorities for people.

Exactly. I also love when the judgement comes from people who clearly have incorrect assumptions about how something works.

I totally agree. I truly fail to understand how a meal deilivery kit is equivalent to some sort of personal life deficiency.

For us, they make the perfect 'date night' activity when we can't get a sitter and go out to eat. A bottle of wine and some fancy non kid friendly food and we're good to go.

Great idea! Yeah they would have been perfect for me and hubby pre-kids. If they weren't still so involved to prepare I might try it again. They should start a more family friendly one - or maybe they already have it - with slightly more approachable meals for kids. These definitely seemed more aimed at semi adventurous foodies who wanted to cook more at home.

kommodevaran

Exciting to see all the assumptions that pop up. I used to live off readymeals because I was insecure of my own cooking skills, I had heard that singles don't cook, so I believed that as a single person I was doomed to eat an unbalanced and boring diet. What I "knew" about nutrition was that healthy=tasteless. I would have been a potential customer for these kinds of services, if I had more money. I don't think people who use them are lazy. I think they have been duped. I think making money from people who are insecure is wrong. I have shaken a lot of my own assumptions, and now I eat restaurant type meals three times a day, healthy and varied, and I don't have a hundred different spices and I don't spend all my time in the kitchen or dragging tons of produce home just to throw out half of it. I like meal planning and grocery shopping and cooking because it's fun, and it's fun because I get to decide for myself what I'm going to make. I don't get how letting someone else choose meals for you, but still have to cook it, can be something anyone would want to pay for.

Chef_Barbell

kommodevaran wrote: »

Exciting to see all the assumptions that pop up. I used to live off readymeals because I was insecure of my own cooking skills, I had heard that singles don't cook, so I believed that as a single person I was doomed to eat an unbalanced and boring diet. What I "knew" about nutrition was that healthy=tasteless. I would have been a potential customer for these kinds of services, if I had more money. I don't think people who use them are lazy. I think they have been duped. I think making money from people who are insecure is wrong. I have shaken a lot of my own assumptions, and now I eat restaurant type meals three times a day, healthy and varied, and I don't have a hundred different spices and I don't spend all my time in the kitchen or dragging tons of produce home just to throw out half of it. I like meal planning and grocery shopping and cooking because it's fun, and it's fun because I get to decide for myself what I'm going to make. I don't get how letting someone else choose meals for you, but still have to cook it, can be something anyone would want to pay for.

Wrong. Different strokes and all that. I knew what I was buying and why but that's just me.

pebble4321

Yup, I'm not being duped by my service. I know exactly what I'm getting, and I'm prepared to pay the price that is charged for it. That's my choice. Why is that hard to understand?