4 ms·

Serious question - Why don't grocery stores make and market these ready to cook fresh/healthy boxed meals? They already have the inventory & could use last mile

Serious question - Why don't grocery stores make and market these ready to cook fresh/healthy boxed meals? They already have the inventory & could use last mile uberRush type delivery services that are expanding. I know I'm over simplifying this - but if I was wanted to be in this space, I'd partner with grocery stores to build their tech, and charge the groceries incremental fees off each sale without taking on inventory / capital risk. I'm just not sure about Gobble, blue apron, hello fresh et all... how are they differentiating themselves operationally? (Besides throwing money at having their own refrigerated distribution centers) FedEx-ing food around seems like a gigantic waste of resources and seems at odds with "changing the world" for better. But that's just me. *I'm a "busy millennial" with a good tech job who enjoys cooking - so I guess I'm in their target market?

rootedbox 11y ago
They do have this at the grocery store.
- masonhensley 11y ago
  Can you provide an example? Preferably one from a regional or national chain that's not exclusive to the Bay Area or NYC
  - josephjrobison 11y ago
    Whole Foods prepackaged meals + Instacart would be the best example I can think of that's spread throughout nationally.
  - Kluny 11y ago
    Bags of frozen prechopped veggies in sizes appropriate for a family of four for one meal, plus containers of fresh soup to go in the deli, plus a selection of fresh ready-to-heat entrees. A nice meal for two with enough leftover for someone's lunch would come to around $16 at my local Save-On. (veg $5, entree $7, soup $4).
    - masonhensley 11y ago
      Ha, I know that - I'm talking about these boxes of fresh & fancy ingredients with recipe cards that are all the rage with these startups
HillRat 11y ago
It's a pretty standard line of products at most upscale grocery stores (Whole Foods, HEB's Central Market, etc.), with the advantage of fresh ingredients and preparation. Though, to be fair, the Gobble menu looks pretty good. I'm not sure who actually falls into the target demo of "wants to cook gourmet meals but doesn't actually know how to buy produce or cook a meal," (I want to see those user interviews and persona decks!) but they're in the Bay Area if they're anywhere at all. I can't pretend to understand this sudden spate of high-valued Series As for companies that are just everyday small businesses with a lick of startup paint, but I suppose it's a case of too much money chasing too few opportunities -- or, at least, too much money unwilling to look outside the San Francisco to San Jose loop.
Retric 11y ago
Because most people are happy enough to either use the frozen food isle or actually cook.

rootedbox 11y ago

They do have this at the grocery store.

masonhensley 11y ago
Can you provide an example? Preferably one from a regional or national chain that's not exclusive to the Bay Area or NYC
- josephjrobison 11y ago
  Whole Foods prepackaged meals + Instacart would be the best example I can think of that's spread throughout nationally.
- Kluny 11y ago
  Bags of frozen prechopped veggies in sizes appropriate for a family of four for one meal, plus containers of fresh soup to go in the deli, plus a selection of fresh ready-to-heat entrees. A nice meal for two with enough leftover for someone's lunch would come to around $16 at my local Save-On. (veg $5, entree $7, soup $4).
  - masonhensley 11y ago
    Ha, I know that - I'm talking about these boxes of fresh & fancy ingredients with recipe cards that are all the rage with these startups

HillRat 11y ago

It's a pretty standard line of products at most upscale grocery stores (Whole Foods, HEB's Central Market, etc.), with the advantage of fresh ingredients and preparation. Though, to be fair, the Gobble menu looks pretty good. I'm not sure who actually falls into the target demo of "wants to cook gourmet meals but doesn't actually know how to buy produce or cook a meal," (I want to see those user interviews and persona decks!) but they're in the Bay Area if they're anywhere at all. I can't pretend to understand this sudden spate of high-valued Series As for companies that are just everyday small businesses with a lick of startup paint, but I suppose it's a case of too much money chasing too few opportunities -- or, at least, too much money unwilling to look outside the San Francisco to San Jose loop.

Retric 11y ago

Because most people are happy enough to either use the frozen food isle or actually cook.