Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Food delivery plans

May 10, 2017, 03:44:08 pm

Meal Delivery Services Put Dinner on Your Doorstep - Consumer Reports

I usually have plenty of food in our home freezer ready to pop into the Lazy Daze freezer to go on a trip, but I got to thinking about renewing supplies when camped in a remote location, or maybe a not-so-remote location, but it is a long drive to/from a decent grocery store.

Our last long stay was up in the White Mountains of Arizona at 8000 feet, and it was a 70-mile RT drive to the closest grocery store of size.  This doesn't sound like it would be much of a challenge, but the road was VERY twisty/turny, and the daylight hours were on the skimpy side.  We would try to incorporate a bit of a hike or visit to a park or something with the trip, so it was a chore to get much accomplished during one day and back home before dark.  The road was quite treacherous when it was dark, and I was on edge the whole trip back.  EEEEEEK!

There was a small sandwich shop/convenience store in the nearby village, and costs of staples were increased by only about 20-25% (which I was willing to pay), but the fresh produce and meats were unacceptable in quality.  There was a decent bakery within walking distance, but I make all our bread on the road, and we are not fond of much in the way of sweet things.  Although . . . their lemon squares were quite delightful, but one was large enough for four servings.  It is an uphill walk to get there, so a big incentive to load up on more than one might otherwise be tempted to.

So . . . it occurred to me that it might be possible to order up one of these meal service offerings to be delivered to a campground where we are staying.  I totally agree that the cost of the ingredients, especially considering that all of the "overhead" costs of a restaurant are borne by the home chef, is quite steep.  My thought was that the amount of fuel consumed by lengthy trips to the grocery store and to a restaurant for several meals, would not be insignificant, and that the cost of the meal ingredients might be something less than that charged in a restaurant for a prepared meal, made it an attractive possibility to try out.

I'm pretty good at do-it-yourself stuff in the kitchen, but am always willing to try something, either in a restaurant, or perhaps with this type of experiment, just to see what it is like.  I can usually then repeat the process on my own with whatever changes suit us, and at a much lower cost.

It's not clear that a company would even do a one-off delivery like this anyway, so it may all be moot.

Has anyone ever tried this service - either at home or on the road?

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie  <-- Sierra Vista, Arizona
   Adventures of Dorrie Anne | Photographing the West

   Today:  Peppers and Sourdough Bread Appetizer
   *******************************************

Re: Food delivery plans

Reply #2 – May 10, 2017, 05:27:10 pm

The wife and I have used Blue Apron a number of times here at home.  We also used a healthy meal plan but I can not remember the name so these comments are mostly about Blue Apron.  We are both foodies and like to cook.  We get these because my wife has not yet retired and the food comes packaged with nice, but not over generous, portions.   The package come with very detailed, for a person with cooking toys, over detailed directions.  The directions are aimed at those that have never cooked.  We read through the instructions several times first.  We learned to do this after quartering a lemon to get it juice.  We only learned at the end why we cut up the lemon. We have a juicer that does not play nice with quartered lemons.  Also we have learned to half the salt and double the garlic, but that is a personal taste thing along with some of our spices.  

What I really like best is the meals take us to foods that we normally might not do.  We have done meals inspired by recipes from the Caribbean, Japan, as well as the usual Itialian and American.   Because the instructions are aimed at the very basic kitchen I think most if not all could be accomplished in a LD.  We usually order two meals at a time.  Put each meal in a plastic shopping bag with instructions to keep them from cross pollinating.  

A common gripe is the amount of trash.  Almost all, if not all of the trash is recyclable.   There are instructions on the box on how to return them (ice packs, plastic, and cardboard) - I think at no cost, but could be wrong.  If I was in a RV I would strongly consider asking for return package/instructions to come with the item.  I have accidentally left a box outside overnight.  The ice packs were still frozen and the food fresh the next day.   While everything is very well packed and packaged, I am not sure they would survive a in campground overnight ... bears, and other critters might enjoy the meal though.  The food has always been very fresh and of good quality. 
John

Re: Food delivery plans

Reply #4 – May 11, 2017, 01:47:22 pm

"My conclusion is I would not try this
in our RV - easy enough to cook sensibly if you plan ahead. If you can find
a delivery service that will allow custom ordering of fresh and frozen food
to your spec - no pat recipes - that would be a better option. "

I can see where refrigerator space might be the limiting factor.  I hadn't though of that as such.  Clearly it is better to be self-sufficient, and I've had no problem doing that even with just a 1.9 cu. ft. all electric refrigerator in our Sportsmobile campervan for many three week trips; multiple extended vacations with just an "ice box" and a cooler in a 1978 VW Campmobile, and for nearly 30 years of RV'ing in regular Lazy Daze units.  I was just thinking about an alternate to eating out, combined with the ability to control the cooking and integrity of the food, as a way to make life a little easier on the cook as she ages in place!  ;->

From what I read, it sounds like the food is packaged quite well with things to keep it cold upon delivery, so perhaps an auxiliary cooler at the rig, stocked with ice made in one's own freezer, or purchased from the local grocery store, could provide the extra space needed.

Food for thought.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie