There is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a home delivery service. However, not all companies or services are created equal. Some home delivery companies are exorbitantly expensive, while others can seriously lack in customer service and professionalism.
In spite of this trend in the industry, one company that has been making headlines for its raving fans and reliable service is San Francisco-based startup Fresh N Lean.
What Is Fresh N Lean?
As stated previously, Fresh N Lean provides a home delivery service nationwide. The company prepares organic, gluten-free ready to eat meals. The company prides itself on making healthy eating simple, fun and affordable.
Fresh N Lean has created plant-based meals plans that can cater to everyone’s nutritional needs. If one is looking to maintain their existing health, lose weight or get fit, Fresh N Lean can supposedly deliver the right meal.
The company states that it prepares 100% plant-based dishes and uses only premium ingredients. The meals are all organic and strictly gluten-free. This could make their service suitable for vegans, which is uncommon in the home delivery industry.
The company has made a point of addressing the issue of hidden costs in the home delivery market. Fresh N Lean states that the prices listed on their website is the net cost one can expect to pay. “There are no hidden fees or additional costs at at checkout.” Reads the fine print on the Fresh N Lean homepage. “Shipping is included anywhere in the United States.”
What Kind Of Meals Are Available And How Much?
To start off with, Fresh N Lean clarifies what is included and excluded from their meals.
As per their website, Fresh N Lean meals are always:
- Gluten-free
- Plant-based
- Low fat
- Low sugar
- Low sodium
- Uses premium organic ingredients
While the meals never contain:
- GMOs
- Artificial ingredients or flavors
- Preservatives
- MSG
- Dairy
There are three standards plans one can choose from on the Fresh N Lean website. What one decides to purchase will determine the amount of meals they receive.
- The 1 Entree Per Day Plan: One meal is included with this plan. Marketed as a method to re-energize the body and mind with a healthy lunch. This plan costs $14.99 per day.
- Lunch & Dinner Meal Plan: Two meals are included with this option and costs $23.49 per day.
- Standard Plan: Includes three meals per day, (breakfast, lunch and dinner.) This is the most expensive plan at $27.99 per day.
There is also the option for customers to create their own meal plans from scratch. With this plan, the customer chooses from the provided catalog on the company’s website. There is no limit to the amount of meals that be ordered with this option.
Fresh N Lean Delivery Facts
Fresh N Lean ships their meals via UPS or Fedex. All of their orders come with a tracking number that is sent via email. Most meals will delivered on on a Friday. If one is not present when the package is delivered, there is a “shipper release” on all of the products. This means the package will be left on the customer’s doorstep.
Additional instructions can be left with the shipping company under the “special instructions” field on the order page. Fresh N Lean makes the following statement about their delivery service as a cautionary note to their customers: “While we have high quality control standards during the packing of our meals, we cannot be held accountable over the actions of UPS or Fedex employees.”
The meals are shipped in refrigerated containers. Each meal is stored in labeled day packs, and a detailed menu is provided prior to delivery. All shipping materials are recyclable and should not be sent back to the company.
How To Prepare The Meals
Upon receiving the goods, it is critical to refrigerate the meals as soon as possible. While the meals can be frozen for long-term storage, Lean Meals recommends that they should be eaten fresh.
The methods of preparing and reheating the meals will vary depending on the device used. Below are some suggestions to get the most out of Fresh N Lean’s meals.
Microwave:
All meals come packaged in special microwave safe containers, making them suitable to be cooked with the packaging intact. After puncturing a few holes in the sealing film, the meals should be warmed for two to three minutes on the highest setting.
It is important to not under-cook the meal by running the microwave at a lower setting than maximum, or putting it in for a shorter amount of time than three minutes. It is recommended to put the food in a glass or ceramic container and covering it with a ceramic plate or paper towel instead of plastic wrapping.
Stove Top:
One should transfer the contents from the contain to a pot or pan, then heat until the desired temperature is reached.
Oven:
Transfer the meal to an oven safe dish, heat for quarter of an hour at 350 degrees.
Seasoning The Meals
Some people enjoy salt and seasoning, while others do not. Due to everyone’s diverse palate, below is a list of recommended healthy spices if one is so inclined.
- Garlic
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- Red Chili Flakes
- Italian Herb Blend
- Hot Sauce
- Salsa
- Ginger
- Coriander
- Basil
The Bottom Line – Is Fresh N Lean A Good Choice?
While it is not possible to speak for everyone’s expectations of what makes a good fresh food delivery company, Fresh N Lean has several clear advantages over their competitors, as well as some weaknesses. To start with, Fresh N Lean’s meals are competitively priced, with each meal coming out to just under $10.00, which includes delivery nationwide. The company is also one of the few on the market that offer 100% natural, gluten free organic products that are targeted towards vegans and vegetarians.
Fresh N Lean is not without its’ share of disadvantages, one being is that it is a relatively new company that has received little feedback from their customers or media attention. Other more established brands have been featured on several media outlets and are considered the market leaders. While Fresh N Lean seems to be pioneering the cause of healthy eating with their all-vegan products, it has a lot of ground to make up for if they want to compete with the big companies for brand recognition and awareness.
