Freshly Meal Delivery Service Review

Freshest Fully Prepared Meals

Owned by multinational food and beverage company Nestle, Freshly is a meal delivery service that offers fresh, never-frozen fully prepared dishes priced from $8.99 per meal. Each serving feeds one adult, and the ever-changing menu of over 50 dishes each week includes gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy-free dishes. Freshly is the best option for seniors who want to order the freshest heat-and-serve meals for delivery right to their doorstep anywhere in the lower 48 states. 

Overview of Freshly Meal Delivery Service

Founded in 2012, Freshly is the nation’s largest direct-to-consumer prepared meal delivery service. The company uses a subscription model that lets customers choose between four and 12 meals each week, and subscribers can cancel, suspend or change their plan at any time without penalty. Freshly meals contain between 300 and 650 calories each, and most Freshly dishes can be safely stored in a refrigerator for 3-5 days.

How Much Does Freshly Meal Delivery Service Cost?

Freshly meal plans start at $57.15 per week for four meals, or $11.79 per meal. Subscribers can order up to 12 meals a week at a per-meal price of $8.99. Shipping costs are between $9.99 and $11.99 per week, plus all applicable sales taxes. 

Freshly also offers a variety of breakfast items priced between $7.99 and $8.99, and these items aren’t eligible for discounts or promotional offers. Current subscribers qualify for a $30 referral credit for each new customer they refer to Freshly, up to a maximum of 10 credits per month. 

Full Review of Freshly Meal Delivery Service Features

Freshly is a meal delivery service that’s focused on healthy, never-frozen single-serving meals. Subscribers can choose from over 50 unique dishes each week from a rotating menu, and the company also offers a number of breakfast items and multi-serving side dishes.

Delivery is available to all states except Alaska and Hawaii through a nationwide network of partners including FedEx, UPS, Veho and LaserShip. During the sign-up process, prospective customers are asked to enter their ZIP code to verify availability in their area. Subscribers can also change their delivery day and address on a temporary basis, up to 3 weeks in advance. 

Meals for Different Dietary Needs

Freshly maintains three FDA-inspected commercial kitchens located in Arizona, New Jersey and Maryland that produce the company’s meals and side dishes. 

Each Freshly meal is designed to serve one adult, and most dishes contain around 500 calories. The ingredients and nutritional profile for every meal is listed on Freshly’s website, and the dishes are packaged in microwave-safe containers that are 85% recyclable. 

Freshly offers a number of meals each week, including dishes that are:

• Gluten-free 
• Low sodium
• High protein
• Vegetarian or vegan
• Low-carb

Flexible Meal Plans

Freshly operates on a weekly subscription basis. Customers can choose between four and 12 meals each week, and deliveries can be skipped, suspended, revised or canceled at any time. Payment is made through a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo or a bank-issued debit card, and subscribers are billed approximately 5-6 days before each weekly delivery. 

Easy to Reheat

All Freshly meals arrive with a refrigerated shelf life of about 5-7 days after the delivery date. Some meals containing seafood and fresh produce may need to be eaten within 2-3 days of delivery. 

Freshly meals are designed to be heated in a microwave for 2-4 minutes. Consumers can also reheat their meals in a conventional oven at 350 degrees for about 25-35 minutes after placing the food in an oven-safe dish. 

Most Freshly meals can be frozen for extended storage. 

Who Should Consider Freshly Meal Delivery Service?

Seniors Who Want Freshly Prepared, Heat-and-Serve Meals

Unlike some home meal delivery services, Freshly meals are never frozen. This makes Freshly a great option for seniors who prefer the taste and texture of freshly prepared dishes made using seasonal produce and USDA-inspected meats. Freshly’s menu changes on a weekly basis, and there are always more than 50 unique heat-and-serve meals to choose from. 

Seniors Who Want a Flexible Home Meal Delivery Service

Freshly subscribers can order between four and 12 meals per week, and subscriptions can be revised, paused or canceled at any time without penalty. Subscribers simply need to call Freshly or log on to their Freshly account to make any changes to their delivery plan. 

Seniors Who Have Specific Dietary Preferences 

Freshly customers can filter their meal choices based on a variety of dietary preferences, including low-sodium, high-protein, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegetarian and low-carb. This means that seniors who are following a specific diet or eating plan can usually find a number of meals matching their needs each week. 

What Are People Saying About Freshly’s Meal Delivery Service?

Freshly consistently ranks as one of the best meal delivery services among consumers who want a wide variety of freshly prepared, home-delivered meals. On one popular review site, Freshly earned a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 12,700 reviews. Many reviewers said Freshly’s customer service team is accessible, responsive and friendly.

Some customers mentioned that while the price-per-meal is relatively high, Freshly meals are generally healthier and more affordable than takeout food from a local restaurant. Many Freshly subscribers also said they appreciate the wide variety of gluten-free, plant-based, low-calorie and dairy-free dishes. 

While negative reviews of this company are rare, a few unhappy subscribers mentioned problems with Freshly’s contracted delivery drivers arriving late. One customer warned that those who are considering signing up for Freshly should double-check the delivery schedule for their address since delivery is only available 1 or 2 days each week in some areas. 

Frequently Asked Questions