How sustainable are meal kits?

February 26, 2021 | Case Study

Meal kits and meal-prep deliveries, such as HelloFresh, and Freshly, have been on the rise for the past decade. The coronavirus pandemic further propelled meal kit popularity, as even restaurants started to unexpectedly prepare meal kits to sell their grocery inventory as an alternative source of revenue. Meal kits are a convenience, and many consumers are likely to continue choosing meal kits over grocery shopping. Beyond meal kits, ordering groceries online is now normal for many around the world. Large brand owner companies like Nestlé are getting directly into space, with Nestlé acquiring Freshly, a provider of fresh-prepared meal delivery services in the U.S., at a $950 million valuation. One big question remains around the overall sustainability of meal kits, especially as demand for meal kits continues to grow.