Some Meal Delivery Services Are Absolutely Perfect For Families

Raising a family takes a lot of time. So does cooking a new supper night after night. Planning out each meal, writing the grocery list, dragging the kids along with you to the store: it all cuts into time you could be spending enjoying life with those you love most. Enter meal kits and delivery services.

You've probably heard of them already. They're taking the world by storm, and for good reason. Meal delivery services cut tons of time out of cooking, without sacrificing quality. You get healthy, amazing tasting meals for less than it costs to eat out, without all the potential negative health effects. The problem is, a lot of these meal kits are designed for singles or couples who work a lot of hours. When you're trying to feed a few ravenous kids as well, these boxes simply won't cut it. There are, however, more options each day popping up for families. 

1 - Green Chef

If keeping a super tight budget isn't essential, Green Chef is a delicious option to get some new foods into your family. They're unique in that they offer specialized meal plans for different eating styles, including paleo, keto, and vegetarian. They even have a gluten-free option, which comes in handy for those who suffer from Celiac. Portion sizes are generous and a lot of the prep-work is already done for you. Family plans range from $11.99 to $12.99 per meal and it takes, on average, 30-40 minutes to cook them.

2 - Blue Apron

This is one of the oldest meal delivery kits out there. They do a lot of advertising and their meals are delicious. Their big focus is on making good food sustainable. They focus on environmentally friendly packaging and sustainably sourced food. Their family plan feeds up to four, making it perfect for a young family on the go. Meals can be had for as little as $8.99 a serving, making them pretty economical. Though they don't have a ton of customizable options, they're still a good choice.

3 - Home Chef

If you're looking for tasty meals at a bargain price, Home Chef offers a family plan starting at as little as $6.99 per serving. To stretch your savings further, they offer free shipping on any order over $49, so be sure to take advantage! They have a variety of options for families, including my personal favorite: slow cooker meals. That, paired with their 15 minute meal options makes this box great on busy nights filled with sports and other activities.

4 - Marley Spoon

Marley Spoon is actually a meal delivery kit created with the help of Martha Stewart, so you better bet the meals taste scrumptious. They're fully customizable too, with many options available for those with special dietary concerns. Though a little on the pricier side, at almost $9 per serving, the ingredients are top notch and include things like grass-fed beef and specialty cheeses. With kid friendly meals available, this box is good for those who have picky eaters.

5 - Sun Basket

This is an all-organic meal delivery kit that has options for a range of diet types, including paleo, vegetarian, and gluten free. Their family plan serves four and has a choice between two and four meals delivered weekly. Each recipe has instructions for kids so they can get involved and help mom and dad cook. The coolest part is the customization options. If you're gluten-free, but your kids aren't, no problem. There's an option for that. At $9.99 per person, it's not the cheapest though, and the lack of a free shipping option is a little disappointing.

6 - Hello Fresh

This meal delivery service seems to be everywhere. There's ads for it all over the internet, particularly on Instagram, and it's popular among family vloggers on Youtube. The meals are tasty and use fresh, high-quality ingredients. They have a variety of options available, including family plans that start as low as $7.49 per serving. Kids will love the "kid-friendly" meal plan which has healthy but exciting meals that are typically ready in less than 30 minutes.