Consumers dining out on convenience of healthy delivery

It’s the food market seeing an “explosion” in popularity, with one in seven Aussies using it in the past six months.

TIME-starved consumers are rushing to take up the convenience of healthy home delivery services.

Research by online rating service Canstar Blue found a growing appetite for pre-prepared meals or ingredients packages offered by firms such as Youfoodz, Nourish’d and Lite n’ Easy.

A survey of more than 6000 Australians found one in seven had used a service in the past six months.

“There has been something of an explosion in this market,” Canstar Blue editor-in-chief Simon Downes said.

“As consumers we are really embracing it. I can really only see these type of things growing.

“They are really trendy.”

Anna Phillips samples a Youfoodz meal. Picture: AAP/John Gass

More than a third of people said they were motivated by the convenience of saving time shopping, cooking and doing dishes.

“Some people really enjoy the process of cooking. But for others, it is just another chore to add to a busy day,” Mr Downes said.

“The sudden rise of the healthy meal delivery industry has been a saviour for households often pressed for time or too tired.

“It’s convenient but it’s healthy convenience food compared to a frozen pizza or takeaway. If you are trying to lose weight, you need structure and consistency. Ordering these meals ticks those boxes. It’s a set meal in a set portion size.”

About half the respondents said they used a healthy meal delivery services based on a specific diet or intake requirement, or to kickstart a health or exercise program.

Six in 10 said they felt healthier and 45 per cent said they had lost weight. But nearly four in 10 said they had been disappointed with food they received, while other gripes included delays with deliveries and missing items. Mr Downes said the convenience and variety came at a cost. Survey respondents spent $192 per month on average but full daily meal plans could cost close to $200 a week.

Three services, Youfoodz, Nourish’d, and Lite ‘ n’ Easy, deliver meals ready to heat and eat while others provide ingredients to cook yourself. Consumers ranked Youfoodz top, with a 5-star satisfaction rating.

Anna Phillips, 22, from inner-city Brisbane, said she used Youfoodz products because they were a healthy alternative and convenient.

“Its fresher than a frozen meal,” she said. “There’s nothing else out there really like it.”

More details at www.canstarblue.com.au