December 9, 2024
TF #076: How to Handle Busy Seasons: Scaling Production for Holidays and Special Occasions
The days are getting shorter, and we’re already seeing signs that consumers are getting ready for “sweater weather” and craving warm, hearty meals. We’re heading into the coziest season when feel-good dishes are in demand.
For heat-and-eat meal delivery services, this is a prime opportunity to introduce new meal formats that capture the essence of fall while catering to customers’ desires for convenience and customization. This fall, consider expanding your offerings with meals that are easy to ship, simple to prepare, and feel homemade—delighting your subscribers with fresh new options that bring warmth and satisfaction to their tables.
By leaning into this seasonal trend, you can create a more engaging menu that appeals to various tastes and dietary preferences. Fall is all about comfort, and there’s no better way to deliver that than by offering meals that customers can easily prepare at home with little fuss and maximum flavor. The following meal formats are budget-friendly and easy to ship but align perfectly with the season’s desire for hearty, wholesome food.
#1. Crockpot Meals: Set It and Forget It Comfort
The ultimate in convenience and versatility, crockpot meals are a fantastic choice for fall. These meals allow subscribers to enjoy a home-cooked taste with minimal effort—simply pour the pre-prepped ingredients into a slow cooker, set the timer, and let the flavors meld together over hours of slow cooking.
Why Crockpot Meals Work for Fall:
Crockpot meals are ideal for fall because they can include a wide range of ingredients—from protein-rich meats and hearty vegetables to legumes and grains—perfect for cold-weather comfort. Think beyond the usual soups and stews; consider dishes like slow-cooked lasagna, vegetable curries, or even desserts like apple cobbler. These meals are easy to prepare and offer a homemade feel that resonates with the coziness of fall. Including crockpot liners in the meal kits can simplify clean-up, making this option even more appealing.
Sheet Pan Meals: Simple, Seasonal, and Satisfying
Sheet-pan meals are another delicious go-to for fall. They combine simplicity with the rich flavors of the season. These meals involve roasting a combination of proteins and vegetables on a single sheet pan, resulting in a dish that is both flavorful and easy to prepare.
Why Sheet Pan Meals Are a Hit:
Fall is a harvest season, and sheet-pan meals provide a perfect platform to showcase seasonal ingredients like brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apples, and sweet potatoes. A “Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner,” for example, could feature roasted chicken thighs with a medley of fall vegetables drizzled with a maple-mustard glaze–or toss in beans, legumes, or even tofu for vegan and vegetarian subscribers.
Like crockpot dishes, sheet-pan meals are convenient for subscribers to prepare—just pour the ingredients onto a baking sheet, pop it in the oven, and enjoy. The roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables while adding a nice caramelization to the proteins, creating a comforting and wholesome meal that feels special and homey.
Soups, Stews & Chilis: Warm, Nourishing Bowls
Nothing says fall like a steaming bowl of soup, stew, or chili. These dishes are quintessential comfort foods that warm the body and soul, making them perfect for chilly autumn days.
Why Soups, Stews, and Chilis Are Perfect for Fall:
Soups, stews, and chilis are versatile and can be easily adapted to virtually any dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Think pumpkin soup with a hint of sage, a hearty beef stew with root vegetables, or a smoky three-bean chili for fall. These meals can be prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, providing flexibility for subscribers. They are also simple to package and ship, often frozen to maintain freshness, making them an efficient choice for meal delivery services looking to offer hearty, nourishing options that cater to the season’s demand for warmth and comfort.
Savory Pies: The Ultimate Comfort Food
Savory pies, such as quiche, pot pie, and shepherd’s pie, are another fall favorite that can easily become a staple in your meal offerings. These dishes provide a one-pan solution that is both easy to prepare and deeply satisfying.
Why Savory Pies Are Ideal for Fall:
Savory pies are the epitome of comfort food, providing a rich, filling meal that requires little preparation beyond popping it in the oven. Options like chicken pot pie or vegetable quiche offer a balance of protein, vegetables, and deliciously flaky crusts, while shepherd’s pie combines ground meat with mashed potatoes for a hearty, warming dish. These meals are easy to customize with various fillings, catering to various tastes and dietary preferences. Their single-dish format makes them easy to package, ship, and store, providing subscribers with a convenient, delicious meal option that fits perfectly with the season.
Engaging Your Subscribers with Fall Flavors
To excite your subscribers for fall, consider launching a seasonal campaign highlighting these cozy, hearty meal options. Share the story behind each dish and the seasonal ingredients used, and offer limited-time discounts or special bundles featuring fall favorites. Engage with your audience through social media by sharing behind-the-scenes content, recipes, and cooking tips celebrating fall flavors. Encourage subscribers to share their meal experiences on social media, creating a sense of community around your brand and its offerings.
Preparing YOUR Fall Menu
Fall is the perfect season to experiment with meal formats that cater to the desire for cozy, hearty, and good-for-you dishes. Crockpot meals, sheet pan dinners, soups, stews, chilis, and savory pies all provide unique benefits that align with the season’s cravings for warmth and comfort. These options are easy to prepare, package, and ship and deliver the homemade feel that customers crave during the fall months. By incorporating these meal formats into your menu and effectively engaging your subscribers with the rich flavors of the season, you can keep them coming back for more while attracting new customers looking for convenient, comforting meal solutions.
