Fuel The Crew

You want to provide a meal, but you’re either across the country or don’t have time to cook. Below are some great options for delivery services. A suggestion from many who have been on the receiving end: either pick the meal for them based off any known dietary restrictions or say which sounds best out of these 2-3 options. Decision fatigue is real.

• Grocery delivery: During chemo weeks or when Gatlin has had surgery, we had a meal train. It is such a huge help and allowed me to focus on the girls and Gatlin. We set up “breakfast drop-off” and “snacks for the week” for Sundays or Mondays and friends would provide easy options for us to grab and go. This was unique and something that I came to love. Having breakfast items, whether they were homemade or store-bought, made our mornings so much easier.

  • Whole Foods, Shipt, Instacart, & Thrive Market: These are great apps that allow you to send groceries to your friend or family member in need from wherever you are.

• Meal delivery (Nationwide):

  • Whole Foods has “ready made” options if you have one in your local area. They have a great selection of soups, salads, and prepared meals.

  • Southern Baked Pie Company: Fresh pies from Georgia! They have delicious quiches, dinner pies, and sweet pies. We have tried multiple pies from them and all have been great. They also offer great “gift boxes” where you can send a variety of pies— a meal for now and one for later.

  • Spoonful of Comfort: Their soup is as good as homemade! They have a variety of options that can be shipped with dinner rolls and dessert. They take care of the whole meal! *They also offer gluten free and vegan options.

  • Factor Meals: I personally have not tried these, but a friend has and said that while they are a little pricey, they are good and have saved them on the weeks when they really need a healthy but quick option. (for reference She said that 2 meals feeds 2 adults and 2 young kids).

  • Thistle: Another recommendation from a friend— it is only available in certain states/zip codes but provides fresh, ready to eat or heat meals.

  • Sakara: Individual meals better suited for a couple or individual.

  • Everyplate: They have a “heat and eat” section of meals, but this is mainly a delivery service that will provide the recipe and ingredients. Some people enjoy these are they can be a great option, but double check with the recipient and see if they’re up for cooking.

  • Goldbelly: A curated marketplace that delivers iconic foods from renowned restaurants, bakeries, and delis across the U.S. Offerings include items like New York bagels, Chicago deep-dish pizza, and Southern barbecue. Many products come with free nationwide shipping. It is pricier— you could go in with another friend to send together.

  • Elephants Deli (sourced via Williams-Sonoma): They offer gift boxes as well as a selection of foods and entrees.

  • Mega Fit Meals: Real, wholesome food delivered nationwide.

• Meal Delivery (San Diego):

  • Scratch Gourmet (Coronado): Highly recommended by multiple local friends. This is a great service here in Coronado.

  • Pure Meal Prep SD: Highly rated for restaurant-quality taste and excellent customer service. Recommended by a few local friends.

  • Lean Machine San Diego: Gluten-free, healthy meal prep option in San Diego. They are local and veteran/woman owned husband and wife team. Love supporting veterans!

  • Farm Fresh Meals: Unique to San Diego area— they provide quality, fully cooked meals from the farm to your door.

  • Primal Balance Nutrition: Fresh meals prepared locally and delivered fresh to your door.

• Miscellaneous:

  • Billies Pecans: We were gifted a coffee cake from here and I think Gatlin could’ve eaten it all in one sitting. He lost so much weight after his big resection surgery and I was so happy to see him devouring this. They offer a variety of nuts, coffee cakes, and candies. 10/10! Plus, we love supporting small businesses!