The Best Meal Kit Delivery Services in Calgary
I’m a Vancouver-based mom and writer who loves to cook. Hope you enjoy! Meal kit delivery services make the lives of busy professionals and young families easier. They remove the effort of deciding what to eat, reduce food waste and the hassle of grocery shopping from your daily to-do list. Meal deliveries allow you to spend less time preparing food and more time enjoying delicious, healthy meals with loved ones.
Meal kit services exploded in popularity in the United States in the past few years and because of their endless benefits, meal kit services are booming south of the border and Canadian coastal cities are quickly adopting the trend, too. While our friends south of the border may have a myriad of meal kit delivery service options to choose from, there are plenty of proven, hometown meal kits to choose from.
So, if you’re not sure which one is best for you, we’ve broken down the differences of the top five meal kits in Calgary, Alberta.
Alberta’s Meal Kit Industry
| Alberta | All of Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Population Size | 4,601,314 | 39,292,355 |
| Total Food Spending per Year (2015 – 2019) | $11,333 | $10,311 |
| % of Population Consuming 5 Servings of Fruits or Vegetables | 38% | 40% |
| Red Meat Consumption (grams/day) | Adult Male: 83 grams/day Adult Female: 46 grams/day | Adult Male: 73 grams/day Adult Female: 40 grams/day |
Alberta is one of the fastest-growing provinces in Canada, with a 3% increase in population size between 2021 and 2022. With the rising cost of food, many Albertans are starting to experience trouble with food budgeting.
Meal planning using a meal kit company is one simple way to map out a food budget, as families are able to choose their meal kits weekly and order the exact amount of ingredients needed, leading to less food waste. With the help of local meal kit companies, making delicious and affordable meals is easy. Nowadays there is a meal service with delicious food for just about any diet.
Read on to discover our take on each meal kit company:
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How We Review Meal Kits
At Meal Kit Comparison, our review process for meal kits is thorough and customer-focused. Our criteria include evaluating the variety and appeal of recipes, the quality of ingredients used, customer reviews, and the overall customer experience. We also consider the diversity of menu options and dietary accommodations, the flexibility of plans and their cost-effectiveness, the reliability of delivery and shipping, and the sustainability practices of each meal kit provider.
Best Meal Kit Companies in Calgary
| Company | Ideal For | Cost Per Week (including shipping) | Cost Per Plate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrimeals | Pre-made individual meals | $77.39-$319.99 | $15.03-$17.85 | Visit Site |
| Rooted | Local vegetarians | $89-$149 | $8.27-$14.83 | Visit Site |
| HelloFresh | Reliable variety | $88.93-$210.79 | $9.25-$12.17 | Visit Site |
| Chef's Plate | Budget-conscious | $55.95-$184.79 | $8.99-$11.99 | Visit Site |
| Lean On Meals | Losing weight | n/a | $4.49-$16.99 | Visit Site |
| Fresh Prep | Environmentally conscious | $55.96-$215.80 | $10.99-$13.99 | Visit Site |
Fresh Prep
British Columbia’s popular meal kit service, Fresh Prep, now services Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton!
Founded in 2014 by 3 childhood friends who were tired of constantly ordering fast food on their packed schedules, Fresh Prep offers busy young professionals and families the ability to cook wholesome meals at home in under 30 minutes.
Fresh Prep takes all the time-consuming planning and prepping that comes with cooking at home, with a focus on high-quality ingredients and sustainable practices.
Subscription plans are available for 2 people (2 servings per meal) or a family (4 servings per meal), with up to 4 recipes each, ranging from $10-$12.25 per plate.
If you have dietary preferences, you can customize your taste settings, as well as select and deselect ingredients like meat, lamb, fish, chicken, dairy, and gluten. Along with 10 recipes each week to choose from, you’ll also get access to Fresh Prep’s Add-ons market, where you can add healthy treats, sustainably-sourced meats and fish, free-range eggs, and ready-to-eat meals for you’re super pressed for time.
Perfect for busy young professionals and families, Fresh Prep offers a delightful blend of convenience and gourmet dining. Their menu encapsulates the essence of quick, flavorful cooking, providing a restaurant-quality meal experience in the comfort of your home.
Fresh Prep’s commitment to the environment is clear. Some recipes are packaged in Zero Waste Kits, which take sustainability to a whole new level. Ingredients are separated into reusable cups, and fitted into an airtight container. Once you’ve cooked your meal, Fresh Prep will pick up the kit for free to sanitize and reuse, cutting down on packaging waste significantly.
Delivery is free, and you’ll get 3 free meals with your first order.
“As someone who has used almost all food delivery services, this one is by far the best. It is definitely more expensive but worth every penny. Every single meal is delicious, and they have a better more exciting selection of meals.” – Jessica ★★★★★
Nutrimeals
Calgary-owned and operated Nutrimeals offers pre-made meals that are delivered right to your doorstep. Individually portioned, they are perfect for those ordering for one or couples looking to enjoy the convenience of pre-cooked healthy meals.
Their monthly rotating menu covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks. They also offer two custom meals options for those with dietary restrictions and allergies. The first is the Build Your Own options where you get to select your protein and two sides for each meal. The second is their Custom Meal Plan where you work with a Nutritionist who custom builds you a meal plan that suits your dietary preferences and helps you reach your wellness goals.
The cost of shipping your meal will vary based on your location. If you are in Calgary or Vancouver, shipping is free when you order 7 meals or more. If you are outside of Calgary or Vancouver, shipping is free on orders over $135. For orders under $135, shipping varies between $15 and $30 depending on your location.
Nutrimeals is committed to providing balanced, nutritious meals. It’s an excellent option for individuals or couples seeking a healthy, convenient meal without the time investment of cooking.
“Nutri meals food is delicious, the variety is perfect! They listen to my food preferences perfectly. The delivery is always smooth and fast! The packaging is so well done. I have not once been disappointed with any part from ordering to eating. 10 out of 10 would recommend!” – Amanda ★★★★★
Nutrimeals
$8.99Per Serving
|
Rooted
Calgary’s very own meal kit delivery company, Rooted Meal Prep offers plant-based meals with a focus on quality ingredients and whole foods. With new good-for-you recipes available every week, including foods like plant-based mac and cheese, vegan sushi bowl, and cauliflower alfredo, Rooted makes eating healthy in Calgary a breeze. Each box comes with the 3 recipes of the week, including pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards with directions on how to cook the meal at home.
Rooted’s vegan meal kit, appealing to those following plant-based diets, emphasizes the use of organic, locally grown ingredients. Their focus on health and sustainability makes their meal kits an excellent choice for environmentally conscious consumers seeking wholesome and delicious plant-based options.
Catering to Vegetarian and Vegan diets, you can choose from the Peas in a Pod box for 2 adults ($89) or the Bunch of Carrots for 3-4 adults ($149). Have your meals delivered anywhere in Calgary for a $5 shipping charge. Or, if you prefer to pick up your meals, nab them from UNDRCARD Boxing Studio at 349 10 Ave SW.
Although the price range for Rooted’s meal kits are higher than most, it’s worth a shot due to their emphasis on organic, locally grown ingredients.
“I tried out Rooted Meal Prep this year, as I am very busy with my job and I sometimes find it difficult to pick up groceries and meal plan during busy season for my work. Her meal plans are fantastic and the ingredients were so fresh. They were easy to make and I felt so great after eating them. 10/10 would recommend!!” – Kaitlin ★★★★★
HelloFresh
If a plant-based diet isn’t on the menu for your family, HelloFresh is a reliable option for meat-eaters and vegetarians across Alberta. Calgarians love HelloFresh because of the simple, affordable meals and sheer convenience. Their easy, delicious, and healthy meals only take 6 steps and 30 minutes to prepare. Plus, they’re known for their large portions, so they’re big-appetite approved.
Choose from up to 20 tasty meal options per week (like Korean Beef Bibimbap) including breakfast and Premium meal options. The Meat & Veggies, Family Friendly, Vegetarian, Smart Meal plans make it a breeze to choose the best meals for your needs, eliminating dinner stress. You can have 2 or 4 portions of each recipe and 3 or 4 recipes per box. With all this choice, whether you’re feeding a crowd or want to plan for left-overs, you’re prepared. Depending on the box you choose, prices start at $8.83 per serving with a $9.99 flat rate shipping fee.
This meal kit is also a favourite of solo diners–find it featured in our meal kit delivery for singles article.
HelloFresh’s meal kits are a go-to for families and meat-lovers, offering a vast array of tasty, easy-to-prepare meals. Their large portions and simple recipes make them a popular choice for those with hearty appetites and busy lifestyles.
“This is such a great service. As a novice cook I’m still able to follow the recipes. They always taste great, have great vegetarian and protein substitution offers, and don’t require anything beyond regular kitchen equipment found in most homes. “ – Jennifer ★★★★
