Safe and Convenient: 4 Great Meal Delivery Options

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to find ways to buy food while staying safe and healthy. Today, many food and meal delivery services can provide contactless delivery, ranging in variety and price. Read on to learn more about several different types of services and the advantages of each!

4 Convenient Meal Delivery Options for Older Adults

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels America is a nationwide organization that provides hot meals to anyone over the age of sixty years old that is at risk of malnutrition. Each meal meets the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program’s dietary guidelines. They also have accommodations for those who have dietary restrictions. This organization has more than two million staff members and volunteers who provide nutritious meals to nearly 2.4 million seniors each year. 

Meals on Wheels supports more than 5,000 communities throughout the United States. This organization is funded by the OAA, private donations, and federal grants. The mission of Meals on Wheels is “To empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated.”

When a staff member or volunteer delivers meals, they are not only providing nutritionally-balanced food, but they are also providing interaction. Engaging in conversation is an essential aspect of the mission because 58% of the meal recipients live alone. These interactions can help those struggling with social isolation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recipients are asked for a small payment for each meal, with the amount based on need. Meals may be covered by subsidy programs, so recipients may benefit from doing a little research on the options.

Blue Apron

Blue Apron is a service that delivers weekly meal kits to customers. Customers can select their meals from a weekly menu. The menu includes signature meals, premium meals, vegetarian meals, and wellness meals (the healthiest option). Customers receive their weekly meal kit that consists of the recipe and necessary ingredients to cook the chosen meal(s). 

Blue Apron customers also select the desired portion size to ensure that the quality ingredients stay fresh and avoid waste. The quantity of ingredients varies from two to four portions, with prices starting as low as $7.49 per serving. Additionally, Blue Apron sells wine, cooking tools, and spices. While this service saves customers time planning and grocery shopping, it also helps them stay socially distanced from others.

Instacart

Instacart is a grocery service where customers can place a grocery order from various stores nationwide, from chain to local stores. Instacart offers same-day delivery or pickup, depending on the location. There are deals and coupons posted on the Instacart website or app to help customers save money on their orders. The minimum order cost is $10, with a $4 delivery fee for non-members. Members receive free delivery on all orders over $35. The membership price is either $99 per year or $10 per month.

DoorDash

DoorDash delivers food from more than 300,000 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada. Food orders can be placed from the DoorDash website or app, both of which feature coupons, promotions, and membership deals. 

Customers have access to a live tracker to know exactly when to expect their food to arrive. When placing orders, customers can select no-contact delivery to ensure their safety as a priority and promote social distancing. While DoorDash is the top-rated food delivery service in the United States, GrubHub, Uber Eats, and Postmates are other popular food delivery services accessible nationwide.

While these four food and meal delivery services are some of the most popular, there are many other services available throughout the United States that can easily be found through an internet search.