12 Best Meal Delivery Services for Families

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The best meal delivery services for families offer a range of menu options and serving sizes. They also let people customize meals based on dietary preferences, which is especially important when finding suitable meals for children.
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A quick look at the best meal delivery for families
Best for all ages: Hello Fresh | Skip to review
Hello Fresh
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Best for dietary requirements: Sunbasket | Skip to review
Sunbasket
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Best for vegans: Purple Carrot | Skip to review
Purple Carrot
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Best for microwave meals: Factor | Skip to review
Factor
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Best organic: Green Chef | Skip to review
Green Chef
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Best for older kids: Nurture Life | Skip to review
Nurture Life
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Best for minimal preparation: Dinnerly | Skip to review
Dinnerly
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Best for quick meals: Gobble | Skip to review
Gobble
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Best for palate exposure: Little Spoon | Skip to review
Little Spoon
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Best grocery service: HungryRoot | Skip to review
HungryRoot
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Best for amateur cooks: EveryPlate | Skip to review
EveryPlate
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Best for babies: Yumi | Skip to review
Yumi
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Top meal delivery services for families
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Learn more here
Hello Fresh
Price: $8.99–12.49 per serving
Meals per week: 2–6
Dietary requirements: vegetarian, pescatarian, and low carb
Hello Fresh offers a variety of meals according to a set of preferences that the user opts for, including a vegetarian meal plan, with a range of chef-designed recipes that vary in cooking times.
vegetarian meal plan
Other options include meats, pescatarian, quick and easy, and family-friendly. Hello Fresh changes its menu of over 100 options every week.
People can choose from 2–6 meals per week, with two or four servings per meal. These include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
The more a person orders, the lower each meal costs. This could suit families who need to place large orders.
Meal examples include:
Thai coconut curry chicken with cilantro lime cauliflower rice
Grilled onion cheeseburgers with special sauce and potato wedges
Sweet and smoky pulled pork lettuce wraps with pineapple pico de gallo and tortilla chips
Aside from vegetarians, Hello Fresh also caters to those who want a more balanced diet, such as a Mediterranean, and people following a low-carbohydrate lifestyle.
balanced diet
low-carbohydrate
However, the range for these specific diets is quite small, and the company produces meals in a facility that processes common allergens, such as eggs, milk, shellfish, and soy. The brand also doesn’t offer vegan options at this time.
vegan
Read our review of Hello Fresh here.
Read our review of Hello Fresh here.
SHOP NOW AT HELLO FRESH
wide variety of recipes
healthy options available
easy to prepare meals
no vegan options
fewer options for those with allergies
$8.99 shipping fee
Sunbasket
Price: $9.99–11.49 per serving
Meals per week: 2–5
Dietary requirements: paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto-friendly, low-carb, diabetes-friendly, and pescatarian
paleo
gluten-free
keto-friendly
diabetes-friendly
Sunbasket offers sustainable fresh ingredients and is certified organic by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
One of the upsides of Sunbasket in comparison to alternatives is its vast choice for people on different diets.
Recipes also offer some child-friendly preparation activities, such as juicing a lemon.
Sunbasket caters for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The menu varies weekly, and people can often choose from different sides.
Meal examples include:
Burmese salmon salad with lemongrass, cabbage, and apple
Latin-spiced sole with warm carrot salad and pumpkin seed dukkah
Spaghetti and meatballs in basil marinara sauce
Even though Sunbasket offers gluten-free specialty meals, it prepares its food in a facility that handles wheat. As such, it warns people with severe gluten intolerance that it may not suit them.
People can choose 2–5 meals per week, with two or four servings per meal. The cost of each meal reduces as people increase their order size. This could benefit families who need to order several meals. People can choose between meal kits and ready-to-eat meals.
Prices vary depending on whether people choose ready meals or meal kits and the above options.
Learn more about Sunbasket here.
Learn more about Sunbasket here.
SHOP NOW AT SUNBASKET
suitable for a range of dietary requirements
easy to follow recipes
ready-to-eat meals available
not suitable for people with celiac disease
they do not deliver to all US states
Purple Carrot
Price: around $11–$13.25 per serving for meal kits, $13 per serving for ready-to-eat
Meals per week: 3–4 for meal kits, 6–10 for prepared meals
Dietary requirements: vegan and gluten-free
Purple Carrot is a plant-based meal delivery kit service.
plant-based meal delivery kit service
It offers a range of vegan meals, including high protein and gluten-free options.
Purple Carrot provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options. People can choose from 2 or 4 servings.
Meal examples include:
Greek seitan gyros with quick pickles and lemon yogurt
Italian butter bean stew with crispy sausage and parmesan kale
Thai peanut noodles with chile garlic eggplant and bok choy
Individuals can opt for meal kits or ready-to-eat meals. In the case of meal kits, people can choose from 8–12 weekly servings.
Read our review of Purple Carrot here.
Read our review of Purple Carrot here.
SHOP NOW AT PURPLE CARROT
focus on seasonal produce
ideal for those who follow a plant-based diet
limited gluten-free options
recipe customization is not available
Factor
Price: $10.99–13.49 per serving
Meals per week: 4–18
Dietary requirements: keto, vegan, vegetarian, and low-calorie
low-calorie
Factor offers different meal plans comprising fresh ingredients and lean meats.
lean meats
Meals are fully prepared and only require heating up in an oven or microwave, which may suit families looking to reduce meal preparation time.
Meals are fully prepared
People can choose from 4–18 meals per week while selecting their serving sizes for each meal. If a person struggles to decide what they want, Factor can choose meals based on their preferences.
Meal types include breakfast, juices, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Meal examples include:
Keto chorizo chili with shredded cheese and scallion sour cream
Peanut buddha bowl with cilantro quinoa, gochugaru-spiced peanuts, and sesame broccoli
Peppercorn-spiced filet mignon with browned butter potato mash, broccolini, and peppers
Learn more about Factor here.
Learn more about Factor here.
SHOP NOW AT FACTOR
very little preparation required
options for some dietary requirements
may not be suitable for people who enjoy cooking
does not ship to all US states
Green Chef
Price: $11.99-13.49 per serving
Meal per week: 6–24
Dietary requirements: keto, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free
Green Chef is certified organic by the USDA.
certified organic
USDA
The Green Chef Keto and Paleo meal plan is certified gluten-free with the GIG. Meal plans can feed up to a family of six, with between 6 and 24 servings per week, depending on the plan.
certified gluten-free
Green Chef provides premeasured ingredients and step-by-step instructions with photos.
At the moment, the company only offers lunch and dinner options for meal kits. However, it offers breakfast items as add-ons.
Meal examples include:
Peruvian-style roasted chicken
Pecan-crusted sockeye salmon
Blackened sweet potato bowls with dirty rice, pecans, and paprika-Dijon aïoli
Read our review of Green Chef here.
Read our review of Green Chef here.
SHOP NOW AT GREEN CHEF
suitable for larger families
gluten-free meals available on certain plans
breakfast items are only available as add-ons
does not offer meals that are specifically family-friendly
Nurture Life
Price: $6.49-7.49 per serving
Meals per week: 6–15
Dietary requirements: pescatarian, gluten-free, and vegetarian
Nurture Life offers ready-to-heat meals for both picky eaters and older kids. Most meals range from around 200–300 calories. Options include breakfast, lunch, dinner, finger food, smoothies, and snacks.
Meal examples include:
Pesto and cheesy ravioli with hidden spinach
Beef taco pockets with fiesta corn
Cheese pizza pockets with broccoli
Learn more about Nurture Life here.
Learn more about Nurture Life here.
SHOP NOW AT NURTURE LIFE
focuses on child-friendly meals
free shipping for orders of $59 or over
no full vegan meals
few gluten-free, vegetarian, and seafood options
Dinnerly
Price: $4.99–7.04 per serving
Meals per week: 3–6
Dietary requirements: dairy-free, no added gluten, low-calorie, low-carb, and vegetarian
Dinnerly markets itself as an affordable meal kit option, providing 3-6 meals a week for 2-4 people.
Each meal has no more than five steps, making it attractive to busy families or those wanting to build up their confidence in the kitchen. There’s a variety of meals that meet dietary preferences, as well as one pot and picky-eater options. Ready meals are also available.
There is a catalog of over 100 recipes to try each week, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts. Kid-friendly recipes are labeled as such on their website. Dishes include:
Pork katsu meatloaf
Loaded veggie pot pie
Crispy pork schnitzel with cucumber salad
Flourless chocolate cake
SHOP NOW AT DINNERLY
offers a wide variety of dishes
has simpler recipes
offers options specifically for pickier eaters
does not offer enough meals for a larger family
people can not filter recipes based on dietary requirements
Gobble
Price: $11.99-16.99 per serving
Meals per week: 2–5
Dietary requirements: wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and low calorie
Gobble’s meal kits take 15 minutes to cook, making this service suitable for people who are on a tighter schedule.
This service may also appeal to those who prefer not to prepare ingredients, as the company pre-prepares them beforehand.
People can choose from breakfasts, lunches, dinners, sides, and desserts for a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian. Some menu options include:
Thai-style pork burger with crispy yuca fries
Spinach and arugula salad with apricots & goat cheese
Ribeye steak Diane with mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and asparagus
Hazelnut gianduja cake
SHOP NOW AT GOBBLE
time-saving recipes
variety of dishes available
shipping costs $8.99
fewer options for picky eaters
Little Spoon
Price: $4.99-6.49 per serving
Meals per week: 4–6
Dietary requirements: nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, sesame-free, and vegetarian
Little Spoon provides pre-prepared organic and non-GMO food for babies, toddlers, and young children.
The company offers meals for different age groups. People can choose from breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks.
Little Spoon states it has over 100 ingredients in its recipes for palate exposure that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. Some meals include:
Chicken supper nuggets
Mini kale turkey meatballs
Three cheese egg bites
Farro pizza bites
SHOP NOW AT LITTLE SPOON
different meal types based on age
no artificial ingredients
a range of ingredients to expose children to different flavors and textures
just for babies and young children, so it is not suitable for the whole family
can be more expensive than store-bought baby food
offers limited vegan options
HungryRoot
Price: $65–129 per delivery
Meals per week: 6–16
Dietary requirements: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and egg-free
HungryRoot describes itself as a grocery shop and meal kit delivery service. People must take a quiz covering their preferences, allergies, and dietary needs.
After filling in the quiz, people can choose from a small, medium, or large delivery. Each delivery includes recipes, fresh produce, proteins, and snacks.
Example recipes include:
Spinach artichoke and mushroom tortelloni
Summertime shrimp tacos
Red-sauce ravioli with Italian chicken sausage
100% plant-based pizza
SHOP NOW AT HUNGRYROOT
suitable for a wide range of dietary requirements
easy to prepare recipes
might be more expensive than grocery shopping and sourcing free recipes
online reviews on the taste of the meals are mixed
EveryPlate
Price: $4.99–7.49 per serving
Meals per week: 3–6
Dietary requirements: meat and vegetable, family favorites, vegetarian, quick and easy, and nutritious and delicious
Every Plate states it offers affordable meal kits that are quick and easy to prepare. Each meal is ready in around 30 minutes, and the company claims that the recipes only require basic cooking equipment.
As this service does not require specialized equipment, it may appeal to more amateur cooks.
Customers can choose from 26 recipes per week, which can feed 2 or 4 people. Meals include:
Cajun chicken sandwiches with roasted potato wedges
Creamy corn and bacon chowder
Sweet soy and pepper stir-fry
Kung pao beef bowls
There is also the option to include customizable add-ons and desserts to meal kits.
SHOP NOW AT EVERYPLATE
reportedly quick and easy to prepare
weekly rotating menu
vegetarian dishes available
no options for dietary requirements such as gluten-free or vegan
no breakfast options
Yumi
Price: $3.49-4 per serving
Meals per week: 8–16
Dietary requirements: vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and kosher
Yumi offers meals specifically for babies and infants.
The company provides different options for ages 6–11 months and over. These include baby food blends, finger foods, and small snacks.
People can order weekly or monthly, from boxes containing 8–16 servings.
All ingredients are 100% organic, and all meals are plant-based. Products do not include shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, milk, eggs, fish, sesame, or soybeans. Options include:
Peach puree
Pea carrot combo
Banana bread bites
Sweet potato latke
free shipping
caters for a range of dietary requirements
not suitable for the entire family
may be more expensive than comparable baby food in grocery stores
Comparison of the best meal delivery services for families
Here is a comparative overview of the above meal delivery services for families:
Hello Fresh
Sunbasket
Purple Carrot
Factor
Green Chef
Nurture Life
Dinnerly
Gobble
Little Spoon
HungryRoot
Every Plate
Yumi
How we chose
Medical News Today chooses meal delivery services that fit the following criteria:
Nutritional value: MNT chooses meal delivery services that meet the average person’s nutritional needs and promote healthy eating habits.
Ingredient quality: MNT chooses meal delivery services that use fresh, high quality ingredients. Some also use organic produce or sustainably sourced ingredients.
Variety: MNT chooses meal delivery services that feature a range of flavors and ingredients to suit different taste preferences and diets.
Price: MNT chooses meal delivery services with different price points to suit a range of budgets.
Availability: MNT chooses meal delivery services available throughout most of the United States.
Sustainability: MNT chooses meal delivery services that reduce their environmental impact by employing recyclable packaging, carbon neutral shipping, local ingredients, and other sustainable practices.
Reputable: MNT only chooses brands that adhere to industry best practices and have passed our medical vetting process.
How do family meal delivery services work?
Family meal delivery services work in the same way as similar providers. They include a weekly selection of premade meals or premeasured ingredients for home delivery.
People choose their meals and request how many servings they need each week. There are options to avoid certain foods or tailor meals to suit dietary requirements.
Many meal delivery services have child-friendly meals, while some offer discounts if people order a certain number of meals per week.
How can meal delivery services help busy families?
Planning, shopping, and preparing healthful, home-cooked meals for busy families is difficult. With this in mind, some may eat out or order takeout for convenience.
These meal options can save time and potential stress. However, they may lead to people consuming meals that are high in calories but low in nutrition. The American Diabetes Association says restaurant meals are usually larger and contain higher amounts of fat, sugar, and salt than home-cooked foods.
American Diabetes Association
Research focusing on the nutritional density of restaurant food also suggests that children’s meals can be unhealthy. A 2015 study found that most children’s meals in United States chain restaurants contained high levels of fat, saturated fat, sodium, and calories. A 2020 study also found that parents do not typically encourage children to make healthier food decisions when dining at fast-food restaurants.
2015 study
2020 study
Therefore, where possible, people should opt for home-prepared meals rather than eating out. Ideally, these home-cooked meals should contain plenty of vegetables and whole grains.
Research supports the benefits of eating healthy home-cooked meals as a family. A 2015 study found a link between frequent home cooking and a healthier diet. More recent research theorizes that parents have an important impact on their children’s eating habits, as structured mealtimes with healthy food result in children with healthier diets.
2015 study
recent research
Meal delivery kits and healthful ready-to-eat meals may help bridge the gap between convenience and the time people invest in cooking.
Meal delivery kits
Another benefit of meal kits is that they encourage families to cook together while providing children with the opportunity to learn more about food.
Pros and cons of meal delivery for families
There are various pros and cons to using meal delivery services for families:
convenience
opportunities to learn new recipes
rotating menus
opportunities to try different diets, such as plant-based and paleo options
potential discounts when people order more meals
flexible subscription options
organic and sustainable food sources
typically nutrient-dense food
maybe more expensive than home cooking
some services may have limited options for certain diets
unused ingredients may contribute to food waste
some companies may use excessive packaging
less flexibility for fussy eaters
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the top questions about meal delivery services:
It depends. People may find that planning food shopping, looking for discounted ingredients, and cooking at home reduce meal costs more than meal delivery services.
However, some people may find the convenience of meal delivery saves money on traveling to food shops and reduces time spent planning meals.
Many services offer meals of up to around 500 calories. This can make it quite expensive for people who eat 2,500 calories or more, as they will need five or more meals daily.
People should choose services that offer a wide variety of meals that are high in nutrients and make eating vegetables, meats, and fish enjoyable. Options like this include Sunbasket.
Sunbasket
Cost can vary on many factors, including the number of meals, family size, and dietary preferences. On the low end, one can expect to pay at least $100 per week for a family of four, considering two meals each for five days.
How many people each meal kit feeds depends on the plans a service offers. However, these kits are typically suitable for families of 2–4 people.
Larger families may need to supplement the meal kits with grocery shopping or choose a company that offers more servings per week.
Summary
Busy families may find meal delivery services save time by reducing meal planning and preparation.
meal planning
People who regularly eat out or order takeout may find these services offer healthier and more affordable alternatives. Many meal delivery options cater to specific dietary needs and a range of budgets.
order takeout