10 Best Meal Delivery Services in Gainesville in 2023

Meal delivery services are versatile enough to provide delicious recipes for all kinds of people. Working professionals on the go, busy parents who need easy meals for the family, or students at the University of Florida looking to eat healthy on a budget – everyone can benefit from finding the best meal delivery services in Gainesville.

To help narrow down your options, I’ve scoured the internet for the best meal delivery service. Based on menu diversity and size, dietary preferences, quality of ingredients, and price point, I created a list of the best meal delivery services that deliver to Gainesville.

Factor is at the top of my list due to its convenience and care for high-quality ingredients. But if you’re not looking for ready-made meals or you want a service that’s leaning more toward a plant-based diet, there are other amazing services to try. Keep reading, and you’ll find the best meal delivery service for your needs!

The Best Meal Delivery Services in Gainesville Reviewed

1. Factor – Best Overall Meal Delivery Service in Gainesville

Factor brings diversity to your table with its varied menu. Featuring a mix of American-based and international cuisine, Factor’s offerings ensure you’re not stuck in a food rut.

The service caters to an omnivore diet, but it also covers an array of dietary needs. For instance, you can find recipes that fit diets like high protein, low calorie, vegetarian, vegan, or keto (among others). However, I found the weekly vegan and vegetarian options to be a bit limited.

Factor’s meals are formulated by registered dietitians. Their main purpose is to ensure each recipe has enough nutrients and vitamins to support a healthy lifestyle. Most dishes harmoniously integrate vegetables, protein (from animal or plant sources), and starches, crafting a balanced experience in every bite.

Through its fresh meals, Factor redefines the concept of microwave dinners. Packed fresh and sent without freezing, each ingredient maintains its integrity, ensuring you get to enjoy authentic textures and nutrients without compromise. Therefore, Factor’s entrées stand poles apart from traditional microwave dinners.

You can also spice things up with items from Factor’s extensive add-ons menu. According to my colleague’s extensive review, this menu includes a variety of cooked proteins, breakfast options, healthy desserts, smoothies, and juices.

Subscribed members get a complimentary 20-minute online session with Factor’s dietitians. During this session, you’ll receive science-backed nutritional advice catered to your specific health goals. This resource can be an invaluable guide on your journey to achieving your health objectives.

Factor is transparent about the list of ingredients and nutrition facts for each meal. This means you can select meals that align with your dietary needs, even if Factor doesn’t cater to highly specialized diets.

Additionally, Factor is quite flexible when it comes to meal planning. The service offers 6 meal plans, but you can mix and match across the menu to create your own box. This adaptability ensures that you’re in control of your meals.

Pricing starts at $6.19 per serving, leaning towards the premium side. Even though it may seem a bit upscale, it’s important to note that these aren’t simple microwave meals. You get nutrient-dense, chef-crafted dishes that are ready to be savored upon arrival.

2. Green Chef – Best for Nourishing Meals with Clean Ingredients

Green Chef is committed to serving you delicious meals that aren't just tasty but also nourishing. Featuring recipes crafted from fresh, organic produce, you can rest assured that every bite is free of GMOs, pesticides, or antibiotics.

While Green Chef focuses on an omnivore diet, there are several other diet options on the menu. The company caters to a diverse range of dietary preferences, whether you’re looking for calorie-smart meals that come under 600 calories per serving, gluten-free delights, Mediterranean magic, or hearty plant-based dishes.

Besides entrées, the company also offers 10-minute lunches and daytime bundles. This way, you can have quick and nutritious meals throughout the day. I also like the grab-and-go breakfast options (still part of the main offer), as these make your morning rush a bit more manageable.

Overall, Green Chef’s menu is a blend of American and international flavors. Recipes range from Memphis-Spiced Chicken with Bacon Jam to Spicy Shrimp Udon Noodle Soup and Baja Chicken Bowls with Cauliflower Rice.

Even though Green Chef meals come as kits, they’re quick to prepare. According to my colleague’s in-depth review, most kits require only 30 to 40 minutes of your time and come with pre-portioned and prepped ingredients, along with their pre-made sauces, marinades, and spice blends.

If you love to experiment with flavors, Green Chef won't disappoint. Due to its menu variety, you have the unique opportunity to work with ingredients you might not have encountered before. Plus, all the recipes come with clear step-by-step instructions, insightful chef's tips, and photos.

Lastly, Green Chef offers 2 options for those of you who want a little extra. First, you have the Add-ons menu that features a range of breakfasts, cooked protein, and ready-made foods. Then, there’s the Green Market – here, you’ll find everything from quick breakfast fixes to wholesome lunches.

Green Chef’s pricing is both competitive and flexible. Prices start at a reasonable $9.99 per serving if you opt for 16 or more weekly servings. For fewer meals per week, the price per serving can go as high as $13.49. This structure allows you to choose based on your needs and budget.

3. HelloFresh – Best Meal Kits for a Healthy Lifestyle

HelloFresh boasts a massive weekly menu skillfully curated to support a healthy lifestyle.  The offer features easy meal kits designed by professional chefs and nutritionists. However, there aren’t many gourmet recipes since HelloFresh’s menu is kid- and family-friendly first.

Every ingredient in HelloFresh’s kits is harvested at peak nutrition. Additionally, the chefs prepare everything to ensure maximum freshness in an effort to support your health with every bite.

HelloFresh’s main focus is on general dietary preferences. However, the weekly offer does include over 10 veggie-forward recipes along with a robust selection of high protein and calorie-smart dishes.

You can be a complete novice in the kitchen, and you’ll still be able to put a HelloFresh meal together. According to my colleague’s detailed review, the service sends out easy-to-follow recipe cards with full nutritional information and clear cooking instructions. This turns cooking into a fun, enriching experience that empowers you.

For those navigating a hectic schedule, HelloFresh curates quick and easy meal kits. These recipes usually take less than 30 minutes from preparation to plate. Plus, if you’re truly pressed for time, the menu extends further convenience with 10-minute and 15-minute lunch options.

HelloFresh is firmly committed to advocating for a responsible and equitable food system. The company aims to align people, the environment, and business ethics and is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices in the food industry.

Lastly, the HelloFresh Market provides enticing options when you want a bit extra. Serving as your one-stop shop for every meal throughout the week, here you can find an interesting selection of breakfasts, lunches, snacks, desserts, and more.

HelloFresh manages to combine affordability and quality in its family-friendly offer. With meal plans available for 2 and 4 people and options to order between 2 and 6 meals per person, it’s easy to find what works for your specific needs. Prices start from $3.32 per serving.

4. Home Chef – Best for Affordable Customizable Meals

Home Chef has a diverse offer of meal kits and ready-made lunches that fit a general palate. Every meal is prepared using fresh and nutrient-rich ingredients that are pre-portioned to make your job easier. Plus, Home Chef is 1 of the few meal kit delivery services that lets you customize recipes to fit your personal taste.

A good example of this flexibility is the Customize It tool. With this tool, you can alter recipes according to your preferences. For instance, if a dish originally features pork but your palate or dietary preferences lean towards poultry, you can make the swap with chicken or turkey.

Additionally, Home Chef uses a culinary quiz to understand your kitchen behavior and preferences. Once you've shared these insights, Home Chef curates a menu selection, recommending sections that align with your cooking style and dietary leanings. My colleague was dubbed an Adventurous Chef while writing their impressive Home Chef review.

You can customize your menu view by excluding certain ingredients or foods. By providing this additional layer of personalization, Home Chef ensures that the recommended dishes not only align with your cooking style but also strictly adhere to your dietary specifications.

When you need to satisfy diverse family palates, Home Chef has the Family Menu. In this carefully curated section, recipes like Crispy Chicken Tacos and Baked Bacon-Mustard Chicken Cutlet provide flavorful, easy-to-prepare options that delight adults and children alike.

Home Chef’s menu caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and requirements. While the offering is predominantly geared towards omnivores, it also provides a notable selection of vegetarian meals. Further, for those mindful of their carbohydrate and caloric intake, a variety of carb-conscious and calorie-conscious meals are readily available.

An Extras section further expands Home Chef’s offerings. Here, you’ll find a selection of cooked proteins, breakfast options, and more. Snacks, smoothies, and desserts are also available, offering delightful additions that can elevate your weekly menu and provide delightful culinary experiences from morning to night.

When it comes to budget-friendliness, Home Chef offers competitive pricing. Home Chef prices its meals individually, so the price you pay depends on what you order rather than how much. Starting at $7.99 per serving, Home Chef manages to offer impressive affordability while ensuring variety and quality in every bite.

5. Fresh and Easy – Best for Quick and Tasty Meal Kits

The Fresh and Easy meal plan promises prepped, portioned, and ready-to-cook meals that transform dinner preparation from a chore to a breeze. This convenient solution integrates seamlessly with a busy lifestyle, ensuring you can enjoy a delightful meal without the fuss and extensive clean-up.

Fresh and Easy includes all Home Chef’s simple-to-prepare meal kits. This means you don’t have to worry about the level of quality. Fresh and Easy delivers the same unmatched Home Chef culinary experience without the time-consuming intricacies usually associated with cooking.

You also have access to the Customize It feature, which allows you some flexibility. However, only some of the meal kits on Fresh and Easy’s offer can use this tool. Just like with Home Chef, you can use it to swap proteins in your meals in order to make them a better fit for your taste.

Even though the menu is smaller than Home Chef’s, Fresh and Easy is versatile in its offering. According to my colleague’s review, the menu features a good range of cuisines. Plus, you can choose between several types of meal kits, including the Fast & Fresh, Oven Ready, and Grill Ready options.

Building on efficiency, Fresh and Easy also offers Express Meal Kits. These kits are designed for those who love the act of cooking but not the lengthy prep time. With ingredients that are fully prepped and portioned, you only focus on the fun assembly part, merging convenience with the joys of cooking.

Introducing a burst of freshness, the other standout on Fresh and Easy’s menu is Entree Salads. These meal kits deliver an assortment of pre-cooked and pre-portioned fresh vegetables and proteins. All you need to do is mix these delicious ingredients, and you’ll have a delicious bowl that caters to both health and taste.

Fresh and Easy follows Home Chef’s pricing system, so prices start at $7.99 per serving. The flexible ordering system lets you decide on 2, 4, or 6-serving meal kits, choosing between 2 and 6 meals.

6. BistroMD – Best Meal Plans for Weight Loss

BistroMD takes a health-forward approach to weight loss with the help of healthy foods. The company features weight loss programs for men and women and focuses on a meticulous balance of nutritious, ready-made breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

All of BistroMD’s plans are backed by science and developed by dietitians. The plans target fat loss through a strategic blend of healthy foods optimized for weight loss without sacrificing nutrients. This strategy not only aligns with various dietary needs but also prioritizes your health and wellness throughout your weight loss journey.

BistroMD rejects the notion that healthy food must be bland. After all, you have a dedicated team of chefs and dietitians who curate your weekly menus, so eating boring foods is out of the question. Check out my colleague’s opinion on BistroMD’s recipes in their in-depth review.

I like that you have access to several programs that cater to different dietary needs. Besides the programs tailored for men and women, you also have options like Gluten Free, Keto Flex, Heart Healthy, and Vegan, among others.

The dietitian team at BistroMD also offers one-on-one support via email. This means you can receive the personalized advice and encouragement you need during your weight loss journey.

To reduce your effort to a minimum, BistroMD delivers all the meals ready-made. There’s no need for meal preparation and cooking, and you can focus on achieving your weight loss goals.

BistroMD also lets you choose the best meals based on your preferences. You do this by setting taste preferences in your mybistroMD account. This feature ensures you receive meals and snacks you’ll enjoy.

Lastly, BistroMD may not be the most budget-friendly option on the market. However, the price ($8.24 per serving for the 7 Days Full Program) reflects the emphasis on quality ingredients and diet-specific focus. So, if your budget allows it, this is a justified investment into your health, wellness, and dietary satisfaction.

7. Purple Carrot – Best Plant-Based Meals in Gainesville

Purple Carrot proudly features a fully vegan menu comprising meal kits and prepared meals. The company is committed to using non-GMO and organic ingredients whenever possible. For this, Purple Carrot partners with various farmers and vendors nationwide, ensuring you receive the best quality ingredients.

The Meal Kits section offers an array of 12 weekly dinner recipes. This offer is complemented by 4 breakfasts and 4 lunches, which are helpful if you want to build complete daily menus. Also, several kits are labeled Less Prep – these meals require less than 30 minutes for preparation, cooking, and cleaning, so they’re great when you’re in a hurry.

The Prepared Meals section offers 8 weekly recipes influenced by international cuisines. Here, dishes like Five Vegetable Dal with Curry Tofu Nuggets and Cilantro Chutney and Italian Sausage Bowl with Garden Tomato Sauce and Roasted Butternut promise a culinary journey most of us would love to embark on.

In fact, according to my colleague’s review of Purple Carrot, even non-vegans enjoy these meals. Purple Carrot’s meals are a great option for anyone interested in bringing more veggies into their diet.

If you ever feel unsatisfied with Purple Carrot’s offer, check the Plantry section. This section is available under the Meal Kits category and hides some delightful extras. From indulgent vegan desserts and nutritious breakfasts to refreshing smoothies and tasty veggie burgers, there's a myriad of options waiting to tantalize your taste buds.

Purple Carrot also pays attention to specific dietary needs. The menu offers an impressive range that meets various dietary needs, be it high-protein, nut-free, gluten-free, or low-calorie. So, whatever your dietary inclination, there's something for you.

Purple Carrot is committed to the environment and ensures its packaging is recyclable. Well, most of it – you can recycle the box, lining, and other similar components. However, the recycling of plastic jars, bottles, and bags depends on community guidelines.

In terms of pricing, the Meal Kits and Prepared Meals operate under separate plans. For the Meal Kits, prices begin at $8.50 per serving for the largest order and reach up to $13.25 for the smallest one. If you're eyeing the Prepared Meals, they come at $13 per serving, allowing you to choose between 6, 8, or 10 single-serving meals.

8. Trifecta – Best Meal Plans for Active People

Trifecta offers dietitian-designed, ready-made meals that help boost physical and mental performance. Each meal is formulated with the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, and macronutrients to keep your energy levels high throughout the day. As a result, you can be as efficient as you’d like and incorporate more activities into your daily routine.

The company offers 4 main meal plans – Clean Eating, Keto, Paleo Whole30, and Plant Based. Each meal plan adheres strictly to its respective dietary philosophy. For example, the Keto meals include around 38 g of protein per serving, while the meals under the Clean Meal Plan have about 29 g of protein per serving.

Trifecta gives you full control over building your box. If you choose to go with meal plans, you have the option to choose your own meals or delegate the task to Trifecta’s chefs. There’s also the option to exclude an ingredient from the menu (like beef, pork, chicken, shellfish, and others), but keep in mind that this can limit the remaining menu options.

Trifecta’s Meal Prep section introduces the possibility of building your meals from scratch. By combining individually prepared proteins, veggies, and carbs, you can create meals tailored to your particular preferences. However, you won’t get the same carefully controlled calories, carbs, and macros content as you do with meal plans.

While Trifecta’s meals are a good fit for everyone, they’re not as fancy as Factor meals. According to my colleague’s review of Trifecta, the target audience is individuals who are into fitness, bodybuilding, or those who are simply looking to maintain a healthy physique.

Most of Trifecta’s packaging, including the plastic elements, is recyclable. You can store the food for later (or freeze it) which helps reduce food waste. Overall, the company is committed to creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly business model.

As you can expect, the premium ingredients and specialized meal plans are reflected in the pricing. The cost starts at $6.00 per serving for the plans that contain meat. This is a bit steep for many Gainesvilleians, but if you have the budget, Trifecta can be a great option if you’re trying to get fit.

9. Blue Apron – Great Selection of Restaurant-Worthy Meals

If you want to learn how to cook restaurant-worthy recipes, Blue Apron is a great option. The company features a selection of weekly gourmet meal kits designed to help you polish your cooking skills and deepen your understanding of how ingredients blend with each other.

Blue Apron is also a champion for diversity with a menu that caters to several dietary needs. You have options for different diets, such as low-calorie, pescatarian, Mediterranean (via the Wellness plan), vegetarian, and carb-conscious. You can learn more about Blue Apron’s menu from our well-researched review.

To add to the level of diversity, Blue Apron’s menu acts as a passport to global flavors. These impressive meal kits give you a chance to savor the taste of many international cuisines, with recipes such as the richly flavored Korean-Style Beef and Rice Bowls or the tantalizing Vietnamese-Style Turkey Meatballs. These recipes could appeal to families, but for more kid-friendly recipes, try HelloFresh.

I also value the company’s commitment to quality ingredients. Some of the ingredients are USDA-certified organic, while the rest are sourced from local farmers. To ensure maximum freshness, the ingredients are harvested at their peak, prepped, and then shipped to your destination.

Most meal kits have tags that indicate the dish’s main features. For instance, meal kits tagged with Ready to Cook or Fast & Easy indicate easy-prep dishes, which are great when time is of the essence. On the other hand, kits that carry the tag “600 calories or less” indicate low-calorie meals.

The add-ons section at Blue Apron deserves a nod for its multitude of options. This includes desserts, salads, sandwiches, and soups, as well as cooked proteins and Heat & Eat meals. These additions provide an extra layer to your culinary adventures, ensuring every meal is a feast.

Blue Apron manages to merge quality with affordability. The brand offers prices that start at $5.74 per serving when you opt for the maximum order, which comprises 5 4-serving meals per week. Considering the culinary experience and the variety of options available, I find Blue Apron to be a budget-friendly approach to gourmet home cooking.

10. Marley Spoon – Great for Cuisine and Recipe Variety

Marley Spoon features a world of flavors via its gigantic menu of 100+ meal kits weekly. Its menu reflects the diversity and authenticity of both American and international cuisines. You'll also find a mix of organic and conventional ingredients, ensuring every bite is an adventure that's both healthy and tantalizingly delicious.

The menu is not just massive and rich in flavors; it also caters to different dietary preferences. Though most of the meal kits fit an omnivore diet, you can also explore meals that are vegetarian, low-carb, low-calorie, dairy-free, and even vegan.

I also appreciated Marley Spoon’s transparency regarding its suppliers. The company discloses how and why each supplier is chosen, allowing you to trace the journey of each ingredient from farm to table. The main purpose is to associate with suppliers who respect similar values in providing high-quality, nutritious ingredients.

Marley Spoon is all about simplicity and convenience, according to my colleague’s review. For instance, there are plenty of speedy recipes tagged with One Pot Meal and Under 30 Minutes that don’t take long to prep and require little to no clean-up.  If you’ve got not time to cook and are looking for prepared meals, have a look at Factor.

A considerable part of the menu allows for customization. In around half the recipes, you get to switch up the protein or side dish in order to make the meal kit more to your liking. This feature expands the menu even more and helps you make sure you never find yourself in a food rut.

I have to mention Marley Spoon’s commitment to the environment. The brand doesn’t just stop at delivering impeccable meals but extends its philosophy into practices of sustainability, carbon neutrality, and recycling. Your meals don’t just nourish you but also respect our planet, blending ethical consumption with delicious flavors.

Talking numbers, Marley Spoon pegs its price at a budget-friendly $2.99 per serving. This price is available for an order of 6 meals that serve 4 people each week. The company caters to different household sizes, and it’s a great fit for both couples and families, small and large.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Services in Gainesville

After meticulous research and applying crucial considerations, I’ve pinpointed some of the finest meal delivery services tailored for the inhabitants of Gainesville. 

• Consider your price point: Cost can significantly influence your choice of meal delivery services, especially in a bustling locality like Gainesville, where cost-effective solutions are always in demand. During my assessment, I found that HelloFresh offers a variety of reasonably priced meals that don’t compromise on quality or taste, making it a commendable option for those adhering to a budget.

• Consider your dietary needs: It’s important to find meals that adhere to your nutritional and lifestyle choices. I think a service like Green Chef is a great choice for its assortment of organic, keto, and plant-powered meals, catering effectively to a wide range of dietary needs.

• Consider required prep time: If minimal preparation time is a decisive factor in choosing a meal delivery service, have a look at Factor’s menu. Factor provides meals that are not only delicious but also require virtually no prep time, aligning seamlessly with a fast-paced lifestyle.

• The availability of new recipes: The ability to explore new and exotic dishes is vital for adding a spark of variety to your dining table. This is why a service like Home Chef, which offers an enticing range of unique and diverse recipes, is a great choice.

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Gainesville?

If you’re feeding a family of 4, HelloFresh may be your best budget-friendly option. With prices starting at $3.32 per serving for the largest order (6 meals for 4 people per week), this meal kit service offers a wide range of recipes.

What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Gainesville?

Green Chef features health-conscious meals that ar ot just nutritious but also use organic ingredients. Even more, Green Chef features several Mediterranean meals and speedy lunch options.

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Gainesville?

If you’re looking to lose weight, check out BistroMD or Trifecta. Both meal delivery services send out ready-made recipes designed for weight loss and physical performance.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Gainesville 2023 — Final Score