The Rise of the Packaged Private Chef: Local Meal Prep Services Bring Dinner to your Door

Getting in shape, eating well or living a life of simplicity just got made easier with the rise of the packaged fresh foods industry.  This isn’t last decade’s Blue Apron.  This fresh spin is all about choice and premium foods that are freshly made and delivered within a day via overnight express mail or a delivery truck. “It is almost like having a private chef,” says food connoisseur, Laura Lucille. “The concept makes so much sense,” she continues as “who really wants to have to cook it as well?” 

The industry has been growing extensively with companies focusing on various segments from allergies and nutritional needs, cuisines of interest and dietary must haves. The most imperative seems to be fresh and good tasting. While many are stuck at home during Covid, going to the store and getting everything needed to cook well balanced meals are now harder as many items can be out of stock. The idea of bouncing to numerous grocery stores to make a favorite meal is not ideal. 

Chris Lira, a nurse, appreciates the services as it minimizes his exposure to others at the grocery store during this time. He uses Freshly and raves about how good the meals are. “I just pick what I like and then wait to have my unboxing ceremony,” Chris laughs.  The swede-ish meatballs and the steak peppercorn are favorites of his. He appreciates the home cooked warmness of each fresh meal.

Other brands with impressive solutions are noted below and offer various nutritional needs, are local or can help one achieve athletic goals:

Back to Basics Kitchen

backtobasicskitchen.com

Back to Basics Kitchen in Broomfield, CO that also serves all of Boulder County describes themselves as “healthy, flavorful gluten-free” meals that feature local and organic ingredients in a creative way.  Everything is cooked up from scratch and all customers need to do is heat up and enjoy!  Much of the menu comes from local farms, menus go live for viewing on Thursdays with a drop-dead order time of Monday mornings.  Items are then available for pick-up or delivery on Thursdays.  

Factor 

factor75.com

Factor thinks of itself as supporters of “fitness and health through nutritious, purposeful eating.” It’s ingredients are gluten, soy and antibiotic/hormone free; it’s beef is grass fed and pasture raised in addition, there are no GMOs or refined sugars.   Simply choose the number of meals per week (four, eight or 12), select specific meals, and wait for their arrival. Customers can simply heat and eat at their leisure. Factor has meals that are balanced for various diets from Paleo, Keto and Gluten-Free diets.  They also include nutrition coaching for those seeking a little bit of extra help with their dietary goals.

Trifecta 

trifectanutrition.com

Trifecta is the most goal-oriented of all the prepared food programs out there as it purports to give all “the food, the advice, the community support” that is needed to achieve goals.  Their approach is scientifically backed where they look at the nutrition from a macros (fat, protein, carbs) standpoint to meet their consumers’ precise needs. The menus are changed so that dieters never get burnt out and can more easily achieve goals. Simply choose a plan from Macro-counter, keto, paleo, clean or vegan with up to 4 meals per day and allow them to help you achieve your goals.  They ship customers the precooked ingredients and customers then pack each of their meals.