Dinnertime. We can't escape it. Every day we have to run errands, go to work, juggle the carpool, and yet no matter what else happens in our day, we must somehow make dinner happen for our families. Add a new baby to the mix, and suddenly the logistics of feeding the family are impossibly complicated. Sure, there's pizza delivery and fast food drive-through, but fortunately there are also some great prepared meal options to take the burden off of new parents.
Friends and family — listen up — you can can secure your hero status and help nourish the new family by buying gift certificates for the delivery of prepared meals.
Munchery
Founded by two Bay Area dads, Munchery just opened a Seattle location last summer. They currently deliver throughout Seattle and to the Eastside. Chefs upload new menus daily of fresh-made entrées, sides, salads, desserts, salads and kids' meals. You can also learn about the chef who prepared your meal selection on their beautifully designed website. Gift certificates available. munchery.com
Eat Local
Eat Local serves up dozens of seasonal handmade meals, including the kid-approved meatloaf and spaghetti Bolognese, with pasta made from scratch and grass-fed beef. For those with food allergies or restrictions, Eat Local offers vegetarian and vegan dishes, and gluten- and dairy-free options. Purchase in-store, at one of Eat Local's four locations in Burien, Downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, or have them ship the frozen meals to your doorstep. Eat Local offers $2 same-day delivery within a five-block radius of their downtown location. Gift certificates available. eatlocalonline.com
Fresh and Ready Meals
Fresh and Ready Meals (also known as FARM), launched nearly two years ago by mom of two Becca Bay, offers family-friendly favorites like Penne di Parma and Jerk Chicken. While there's a minimum order of three meals a week, FARM's prices are quite competitive, at $40 for three meals for one adult and just $10 for three meals for a child. FARM delivers for free throughout Seattle, Mercer Island and now Bellevue. Gift certificates available. freshandreadymeals.com
Kitchen Door
Former personal chef Susie Lane whips up dinner options for families with varying tastes — and dietary restrictions — and also offers options that are perfect for school lunches, like chicken wraps that come packaged with fruit and a cookie. Trying out Kitchen Door meals is pressure-free, with no minimum order required and flat-rate delivery fees. Kitchen Door delivers throughout Seattle and the Eastside and recently expanded to offer delivery to Snoqualmie. Gift certificates available. kitchendoormeals.com
Kendal’s Kitchen
Kendal Swinski has crafted a menu of 100 percent gluten-free entrées, sides, soups and treats that celebrate organic, local foods. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available. There’s no commitment when ordering from Kendal’s Kitchen; meals can be ordered as frequently or infrequently as desired. Food delivery is free for orders over $150 throughout Seattle and on the Eastside; just order by Friday and your food will be delivered the following Tuesday. Food arrives in environmentally friendly packaging with heating/cooking instructions. Gift certificates available. kendalskitchen.com
Lish
Lish offers daily menus prepared by local chefs, with gluten-free and vegan options available each day. Scroll through the menu offerings in the coming days, or search for the offerings of your favorite chef. Food can be ordered online or through an iOS app allowing you to select delivery windows in one-hour blocks, including same-day delivery. Food arrives with heating instructions. lishfood.com
Outside the Box
Outside the Box is part mobile food truck, part meal delivery service and all locally sourced, organic and Paleo-friendly. OTB offers five- or 10-meal plans, made available each week on Mondays. OTB offers two ways to get your food: Delivery within King County (outside King County will incur additional delivery charges) or pick up your food at the OTB kitchen in Renton. Order your meals once a week or sign up online for a weekly recurring order. eat-otb.com
Maven Meals
Heidi Pomeroy is the maven behind this local, nutritious meal delivery service. Maven Meals offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, as well as pantry items; vegetarian, pescetarian and gluten-free options are all clearly marked. A weekly menu is posted every Monday and allows you to order anytime throughout the week for delivery the following week. Delivery days are determined by delivery location, or food can be picked up at The Maven Mercantile in Ballard. Maven Meals offers all of their menu options with no minimum orders and a small flat-rate delivery charge. Gift certificates available. mavenmeals.com
Fresh Chef
Gourmet meal delivery for breakfast, dinner, side, soups and bakery items with a menu that changes weekly. Fresh Chef offers customizable meals with their à la carte menu and many items can be upgraded to organic. The menu is easily searched by subcategory, including vegetarian/vegan, family-friendly, gluten-free and freezer-friendly. Fresh Chef offers no-commitment meal delivery and a $50 minimum order each week. Delivery is available in Seattle, Snohomish County and the Eastside. Gift certificates available. freshchefseattle.com
