The Explosion of Meal Kit Popularity in Canada

Over the last few years, Canadians, similar to the rest of the world due to the global pandemic, have had a shift in their normal day-to-day routines. With rolling lockdowns over the last year and a half, restaurants have had to significantly reduce the number of people in their establishment at once, or close altogether. Additionally, grocery stores became one of the only places open, however during the peak of the pandemic, many were looking for some kind of delivery option to avoid being exposed to the virus. 

This is where meal kit delivery brands stepped in, taking the time away from the hectic grocery store visits, and providing consumers with fresh ingredients delivered directly to their doorstep, all without any potential human interaction. Meal kits allow consumers to take save time in their busy schedules and to look forward to trying new recipes with ease since most companies provide buyers with clear directions and pre-portioned ingredients. 

The industry continues to grow

Canadians are loving this new, interactive way to order food. The process to order from meal kit delivery brands is a more exciting experience than your usual grocery store visit. Consumers have the opportunity to browse and pick from a selection of beautifully photographed meals, similar to when visiting a restaurant. Most brands also break down their offerings into categories based on nutrition goals, interests or dietary restrictions. Once meals are selected, buyers can look forward to their box arriving with all their preferred meals. 

Having groceries delivered directly to your door is a huge time saver. Not only are consumers able to avoid a visit to the store, but also no longer have to worry about making a list or missing an item for a specific recipe. After selecting your preferred meals, all the ingredients you will need to replicate your online selections will be included in your box. This also helps in reducing waste, as portions are given based on the number of servings chosen upon ordering. 

The packaging that many of the meal kit delivery service brands offer is quite impressive. Each ingredient is carefully added to the box, some being individually packaged or placed inside insulated bags with ice packs to ensure freshness.  

Although meal kit delivery boxes are more expensive than if you bought everything from your local grocery store, Canadian users are still seeing savings. Often when households need a last-minute meal, ordering takeout was the only option. Now, meal kits provide a less expensive alternative to takeout, with many brands offering quick meals made in 30 minutes or less. Furthermore, meal kit service users can dodge the guilt of takeout, since all nutrition facts are provided with each recipe. 

With larger players like HelloFresh and Chef’s Plate continuing to reach more Canadians, there are also smaller brands emerging into the industry with niche-specific target audiences. Depending on preference, Canadians can purchase meal kits made up of only local ingredients, or from companies specializing in one type of cuisine. Even some restaurant chains and local businesses are taking notice of the increasing popularity of meal kits.

Restaurants are hopping on the meal kit delivery service train 

Restaurants are seeing a spike in the meal kit delivery service industry and are responding by starting to add meal kits to their menus. With many indoor dining establishments operating at a reduced capacity, restaurants are beginning to offer some of their popular menu items as meal kits, allowing consumers to replicate some of their favourite dishes at home. While the restaurants offering kits often have a smaller number of meal kit choices, the idea of cooking a signature dish at home is compelling.

The explosion of the meal kit delivery service industry is no surprise when weighing the benefits consumers can look forward to when ordering. The industry continues to grow, reaching more and more Canadians each year. With other industries expanding to offer meal kits and capitalize on their popularity, it is safe to say that meal kits are here to stay. If you are looking to order from a meal kit delivery service but are not sure which brand is best for you, take a look at this comparison to help you decide. 

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