Fresh Prep’s New Zero-Waste Launch Is Levelling Up The Meal Kit Game (Win!)

It’s an industry first, one that’s aiming to significantly reduce waste from single-use plastic and allow for an easier and more organized cooking experience, at no extra cost to us consumers. The new Fresh Prep Zero Waste Kit is set to change the meal-kit game forever—and for the better. We chatted with Fresh Prep co-founder and co-CEO Becky Brauer to get the full 4-1-1 on the company’s new Zero Waste Kit. We’re also giving you a chance to win a Fresh Prep prize pack … and be sure to use code SCVD21 for three free meals when you make your next Fresh Prep purchase! —Vita Daily

Hi Becky! What went into and how long did it take to develop Fresh Prep’s Zero Waste Kit?

We’ve been developing the Zero Waste Kit for three years now, so we’re extremely excited to finally be able to bring it to consumers. We’ve put an enormous amount of testing into the development of the final product. First, we surveyed consumers to find out their appetite for sustainability and then began developing what the actual kit could look like so that it was functional, convenient and aesthetically pleasing—all while keeping sustainability at the forefront. After years of trial and error with the design of the kit, the final result is a product that incorporates all of those aspects, keeping it easy to use for the consumer and allowing them to have a seamlessly sustainable experience.

Is there an extra cost or inconvenience to the customer?

One of our foundational beliefs at Fresh Prep is that the customer should not have to compromise convenience or pay a high price for sustainable options. There is no added cost for the consumer with the introduction of the Zero Waste Kit. The kit actually creates a more seamless cooking experience, with each ingredient pre-portioned in small reusable containers—customers have said it feels like they are on a cooking show.

Are all Fresh Prep meal kits now zero waste now, or will they be?

We re-engineered our entire production model around the Zero Waste Kit, so the goal is to transition 100 per cent of our recipes over to the Zero Waste Kit eventually. Currently, we have about 30 per cent of our meal kit recipes transitioned to Zero Waste. We’re prioritizing responding to customer feedback to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

What are the environmental benefits of Fresh Prep’s Zero Waste Kit?

Most meal kits are full of single-use plastics, as each ingredient is usually individually wrapped in plastic. This can mean up to 10-15 plastic bags in each kit. Additionally, most meal kits are delivered in cardboard boxes with non-recyclable plastic ice packs. The Zero Waste Kit eliminates nearly all of that waste. It’s delivered by local drivers in a reusable, insulated bag, and the ingredients are pre-portioned out in a reusable container made with BPA-free, reusable plastic and silicon parts. To give an idea of the scale of plastic waste—if all B.C. Fresh Prep customers order the Zero Waste Kits, it will divert over 500 kilos of soft plastic waste per week.

What other improvements in overall experience does the Zero Waste Kit offer home cooks?

The reusable container makes it extremely easy and convenient for people to cook with. The cups that contain the pre-portioned ingredients can be used to easily mix, measure, and pour ingredients as you cook, reducing the number of dishes to clean. The Zero Waste Kit also allows you to spend less time struggling with plastic wrappers and scissors, as ingredients are neatly organized for a grab-and-go cooking experience.

In what other ways/areas does Fresh Prep weave sustainability and environmental awareness into its operations?

Fresh Prep is a certified B-Corp and sustainability has been foundational for us since the beginning. We prioritize working with local vendors and suppliers, we are a B.C. Buy Local company, as it not only helps our economy, but also reduces the environmental impact from shipping ingredients across long distances. Fresh Prep has recently resumed the operation of a soft plastics recycling program, which allows customers to return any rinsed soft plastics that come with their delivery. All recyclable plastics are recycled locally through our partner Urban Impact, with 100 per cent of plastics diverted from landfill effectively. Fresh Prep has also had a close partnership with Oceanwise for many years, and all of our seafood is Ocean Wise certified.

More generally, how do meal kits help to solve the food waste problem overall?

Meal kits have been shown to drastically cut down on the amount of food waste compared with making a meal from ingredients bought at a grocery store. With pre-portioned ingredients, meal kits ensure there is limited food waste, as it eliminates the need to overstock your fridge full of food, which then leads to it being thrown away when it expires. Meal kits give you exactly what you need, when you need it.

What are you most proud of, in connection with this launch?

We are at a turning point right now. Businesses are recognizing that they need to prioritize sustainability, consumers are taking an interest in this area and investors are focused on innovators who are providing better solutions. We’re most proud that Fresh Prep is the first meal kit company to offer an innovative solution to the issue of single-use plastic in this industry. Providing customers with an easy way to make sustainability a habit is very rewarding.

So, Becky, what are you making for dinner tonight?

Tonight, I’m making Feta Corn Fritters with Smoky Chipotle Mayo and Roasted Broccoli from our Zero Waste Kit! It’s one of my favourite recipes.

freshprep.ca

Win! 3 Months Of Fresh Prep!

Congrats Lorena R. of Vancouver, B.C., who will receive 3 months of Fresh Prep free (based on a 2 person meal plan x 2 meals per week). Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.