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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our meal kits.
Below you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our meal kits.

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How do I dispose of the meal kit bags? Are they recyclable or compostable?

Once you’ve eaten your fresh ingredients, please dispose of it in your general waste bin.

Due to its protective inner lining, which keeps your produce fresh, the bag isn’t suitable for composting or kerbside recycling in New Zealand.

What if I missed my deadline?

Life happens, we get it! That’s why we have a 15 hour grace period after your order cut-off where we may still be able to help. Make sure you reach out as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to work some magic - no promises, but we’ll try!

You can chat with one of our friendly agents here. We are available 24/7 and are always ready to help!

Can I cancel my subscription through the HelloFresh app?

You’re not able to cancel your subscription via the app. Your subscription can be easily cancelled or skipped at any time through the HelloFresh website here.

Please note, if you have an active voucher applied to your account it may become void once you cancel your subscription. We don’t want you to miss out so if you just want to take a break, you can always use the 'Skip’ option in your menu selection to skip weeks.

Can I send free boxes to my friends and family?

Absolutely! Our free first delivery promotion is an offer that we give our customers to spread the HelloFresh cheer. This promotion will be offered to you when you hit certain milestones in the HelloFresh family.

To check whether you are eligible to send boxes, log in to your account and look on the top right of the page for a button called 'HelloFriends'. Click here and the 'HelloFriends' button will show a little red number in the red dot indicating how many boxes you can send. From here, you select 'Send free box' then enter your friend's email address and they will receive an email from us with your gift and instructions on how they can sign up and enjoy their first box on us!

If you can't see a red dot next to 'HelloFriends', please look out for an email which we will send when this offer is valid for you.

What if I need support?

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us via phone, live chat or Facebook DM by clicking here. Our friendly Customer Care team is available 24/7 and will be more than happy to help.

How does HelloFresh hold my data?
To enable you to order from us, we will create a customer account for you after your registration. In order to protect your customer account from access by third parties, we store your username and password, making your account only accessible by you, with your login details. In order for us to deliver the boxes to your door, we store your contact data, order and delivery time, and payment information. You can voluntarily provide your phone number so that we can contact you in case of delays or problems delivering your box. HelloFresh values your privacy, for more information about how HelloFresh processes your personal data please see our privacy policy. If you would prefer we did not have this information, you can request for it to be erased by submitting your request here. This process of erasure can take up to 28 days, but we can assure you that we will no longer keep any of your details or contact you in the future.
How does HelloFresh work?

We’re a meal kit delivery service designed to make dinnertime simply delicious! How do we do this? By delivering fresh, seasonal ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards right to your door, making it quick and easy for you to cook wholesome dinners the whole household will love!

You select your meals to create your perfect menu, and we’ll deliver the exact amounts of everything you need to make the meal. You’ll just need to have a few pantry staples on hand (don’t worry - it’s just basic things like salt, pepper and oil). We run a flexible subscription, so there’s no scary lock-in terms or cancellation fees. And the best part? You can manage your account on the go via our free HelloFresh app.

Don't forget, if you need to make any changes to your upcoming delivery, make sure that you do so before your weekly order cut-off which you can find in the ‘My Deliveries' section of your account.

Didn't get the info you're looking for? Click here to get in touch with us.

Is HelloFresh a subscription service?

We’re passionate about making it easier for you to cook delicious, nutritious meals with fresh ingredients from scratch on a regular basis – it’s better for you, your family and even the planet! But we know that your busy schedule can sometimes make it difficult, so we operate as a subscription to take all of the hard bits (like meal planning and shopping) away. We just leave you to do the fun bit – cooking and eating with your loved ones!

We know subscriptions can have a bad rep with confusing contracts, hidden terms and unwanted extras. That’s why we operate as a flexible subscription – meaning there is no minimum term and you can change your deliveries to fit in with your hectic lifestyle.

Want to skip a week?You’re the boss! Simply place your account on pause using our flexible online order calendar before your scheduled delivery cut-off which you can find in the ‘My Deliveries' section of your account.

Account changes can be made online or through the app.

Didn't get the info you're looking for? Click here to get in touch with us.

How do I remove one of my saved recipes?
Cleaning out your digital pantry? No problem! Just tap the Bookmark icon to view your recipes, select the one you’d like to remove, and tap the Trash bin icon. Don't worry, if you change your mind later, you can always re-import it!
When will my box get delivered?

Your box will be delivered in your selected delivery window which you can view and change here. There are different delivery windows available depending on the area you live in.

Just make sure any changes to your account are made before your weekly order cut-off. You can find your weekly order cut-off in the ‘My Deliveries’ section of your account.

I didn't get my box. What should I do?

Oh no! We're really sorry to hear that your box didn't arrive safely. You may have received a text message the night before your box was scheduled with a tracking link, so please check this for an update on your delivery.

Before getting in touch with our customer care team, please check your delivery window. Keep in mind that the delivery driver has up until the end of the window to deliver your box. Please note, we are unable to call drivers when they are on route. The driver may have left the box in an alternative safe place, so please also check the vicinity of your property.

If you still need help, click here to get in touch with us.

What if I’m not home to accept the delivery?

It's no problem at all! In fact, lots of our customers are not home at the time of delivery. When you confirm your order, you'll have the option to leave delivery instructions for your driver so they can leave your box in a safe place (like your back door or under your porch bench).

Rest assured, our boxes are specially designed to keep your food cool, with insulated cool pouches and ice packs to keep your ingredients as fresh as you'd expect.

Can I send free boxes to my friends and family?

Absolutely! Our HelloFriends program offers you the chance to share free HelloFresh boxes with your friends and family and earn credit in return. They’ll receive a week of free meals and you’ll receive a credit off your next box when they sign up. It's a win-win.

To check whether you are eligible to send boxes you just need to log in to your account and you will see a small gift box with a number on it next to your name at the top right. If you’re using the HelloFresh app, simply choose the ‘HelloFriends’ button at the bottom of the screen. From here, select ‘Share a free box’, enter your friend's email address and they'll receive instructions on how to redeem their freebie.

Once your friend has redeemed their free box and placed an order, you will receive an email notifying you that your credit is ready to redeem. Simply click the ‘Use Credit’ button and your credit will move from ‘pending’ to ‘received’ balance and automatically apply to your next delivery (unless there is a current discount code on your account). Please note, the ‘received’ balance will reflect the total credit you’ve received from every referral, not your remaining balance.

How does the HelloFriends program work?

Our HelloFriends program offers you the chance to share free HelloFresh boxes with your friends and family and earn credit in return. They’ll receive a week of free meals and you’ll receive a credit off your next box when they sign up. It's a win-win.

To check whether you are eligible to send boxes you just need to log in to your account and you will see a small gift box with a number on it next to your name at the top right. If you’re using the HelloFresh app, simply choose the ‘HelloFriends’ button at the bottom of the screen. From here, select ‘Share a free box’, enter your friend's email address and they'll receive instructions on how to redeem their freebie.

How do I redeem my HelloFriends credit? Your HelloFriends credit will be applied to your account when your friend signs up to HelloFresh and redeems their free box voucher. Once your friend redeems their free box and places an order, you will receive an email notifying you that your credit is ready to redeem. Simply click the ‘Use Credit’ button and your credit will be activated and automatically apply to your next delivery. If you’re having trouble finding this email, please check your inbox and spam folder.

What do pending HelloFriends credit mean? Under the ‘pending’ balance in the HelloFriends section of your HelloFresh account, you will see a credit for each friend you have sent an email to with the free box promotion.

Please note, the ‘received’ balance will reflect the total credit you’ve received from every referral, not your remaining balance.

I just a payment reminder, what do I do?

This means we were unable to process payment for a delivery you received. We'll attempt payment three times before your delivery. If we're unable to take the payment successfully we'll send an email and SMS with a link to pay.

If you would like to pay now click here. You'll be able to see all unsuccessful payments, and pay by clicking 'Proceed to Payment'. You can also update your payment method if needed.

Couldn't find the information you were looking for? Click here to get in touch with us.

How do I use a credit on my account?

In order to apply your credit to your delivery, you will need to apply yours manually. To manually apply your balance, simply head to your cart for any upcoming editable week and select "Apply". Any remaining credit balance will be made available for use towards the following box.

Please keep in mind that most credits, including are only available while your account is active and will be removed upon cancellation of your subscription.

💡 Pro-Tip: Pause, Don't Cancel! To keep your HelloFresh Cash from being forfeited, simply skip your deliveries instead of cancelling. Your credits stay in your account until they expire.

Why was my discounted box cancelled?

We have a limit of one promotional offer per household on your first box, so be sure to read the Terms & Conditions of the voucher you are attempting to claim. If your discount code is only valid for first-time customers and you have enjoyed a HelloFresh box before sadly you won’t be able to use this voucher.

If you already have an existing account with HelloFresh, we may need to cancel your order so you can reactivate your previous account. We’ll let you know via email or SMS if this has happened.

Why have I been contacted by a third party debt collection agency

If you have received contact from a collections agency, it means you have an outstanding amount owing for your deliveries. When a payment is unsuccessful, we will attempt to take payment three times in total. In addition to this, we will also always contact you to follow up with multiple payment reminders before referring you to our collection agency.

If you would like to pay now click here. You'll be able to see all unsuccessful payments, and pay by clicking 'Proceed to Payment'. You can also update your payment method if needed. Alternatively, you can follow the steps provided from the collections agency.

When is my weekly order cut-off?

We now only have one weekly cut off date, no matter what your delivery day is. This will be Tuesday on the week before your delivery is due to arrive. You can find your weekly order cut-off in the ‘My Deliveries’ section of your account.

By reducing the amount of cut off days, our team is able to more accurately source your ingredients each week, helping us reduce any waste at our warehouse while ensuring you receive fresh ingredients.

Skipping a delivery on the app

We're a flexible subscription service - so skipping your deliveries is quick and easy!

Simply follow these steps:

  1. Login to your HelloFresh account on the app.
  2. Select 'Home'
  3. Choose the delivery you would like to skip
  4. Click 'Edit delivery'
  5. Here you can select 'Skip this week'. Voila! It's that easy!

    You can also change your delivery day and box size in this area. Please note that this will only skip the individual delivery date that you selected. To skip more boxes, you need to select each day that you want to skip.

    Remember changes to your delivery must be made before your weekly order cut-off.
I have a missing ingredient

Due to the extreme weather conditions in New Zealand, some of our suppliers have been affected which has resulted in instances of ingredient substitution or non delivery. When we're unable to source an ingredient, we’ll do everything we can to swap it for something that meets our high quality standards and suits the recipe ordered, while providing you with an update as early as possible. If you do have an ingredient missing in your meal kit, please note that you will be compensated. We’re sorry about any inconvenience caused and are working hard to ensure you receive appropriate substitutions so your dish will be just as delicious. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we navigate the current challenges.

Please log the issue by visiting out contact us page here so we can take note of what has happened and compensate you for any ingredients.

Why do you not have the Naturally Gluten Free tag anymore?

HelloFresh cannot continue to use ‘Naturally Gluten Free’. This is due to compliance reasons according to Food Standard Code.

However, we have not removed any of the recipes that we previously used this tag on. You can find the same weekly collection of recipes if you select our new preference ‘No Bread or Pasta’. These recipes will suit customers with dietary restrictions or who are looking to reduce their gluten intake; however they are not labelled as or classified as gluten-free due to risks of cross-contact in grain farming and production facilities. This means they are not suitable for coeliacs to consume.

Do you still have Gluten Free recipes on the menu?

HelloFresh cannot label our recipes with ‘Gluten Free’. This is due to compliance reasons according to Food Standard Code.

However, we have a number of recipes that do not include bread or pasta. These recipes will suit customers with dietary restrictions or who are looking to reduce their gluten intake; however they are not labelled as or classified as gluten-free due to risks of cross-contact in grain farming and production facilities. This means they are not suitable for coeliacs to consume.

What staple items do I need in my pantry?

Before you start cooking, you’ll just need to check your cupboard for a few pantry staples.

  • Olive oil
  • Vinegar (white, rice or balsamic wine)
  • Sugar (brown, white)
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Egg
  • Flour (plain, wholemeal)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cracked Black Pepper
  • Soy Sauce
  • Tomato sauce
  • Maple or Agave Syrup
  • Bicarbonate of Soda
  • Honey
  • Fish Sauce
  • Cinnamon

    If you're ever unsure of what pantry items you will need for your recipes, you can always log in to your online account or your HelloFresh app and click on your menu to check these out in advance.
Why have some of my ingredients been substituted?
Due to the extreme weather conditions in New Zealand, some of our suppliers have been affected which has resulted in instances of ingredient substitutions. Rest assured, we'll always do this with the recipe in mind and where possible, you will be notified in advance of any changes. We’re sorry about any inconvenience caused and are working hard to ensure you receive appropriate substitutions so your dish will be just as delicious. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we navigate the current challenges and work towards returning our service to our usual high standards as quickly as possible.
I'm missing a recipe card

We're sorry to hear you're missing a recipe card, but don't worry, we've got you covered. Our recipe cards are stored in our recipe archive and on your weekly menu. Simply click here and select the meal you'd like to cook. You can even download a printable PDF.

Alternatively use our app. Just select the meal you want to cook and scroll through the cooking stages. It even includes a built-in timer!

Do you cater for specific dietary requirements?

We understand it can be tricky to cater to a household of different requirements, so our Food Info page is here to save the day if you need to check the ingredients for allergens.

Halal
At this stage, some of our meat suppliers are certified Halal whilst others are not, so we are unable to guarantee a meal plan suitable for those following a Halal diet.

Paleo/Vegan/Dairy/Gluten Free
At this stage, we don't have an entirely paleo, vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free meal box preference for our customers but please keep in mind, all ingredients are separately packed and clearly labelled, with an ingredients list for all recipes available in advance HERE. This means you have the opportunity to omit or substitute any ingredient that you can't, or don't want to eat.

Many of our customers with special dietary needs in the family find that with a little tweaking, our HelloFresh boxes work well for them!

Where do you source your produce?

At HelloFresh, we source seasonal quality ingredients directly from New Zealand producers and suppliers wherever possible. We know it's important for you to know where your food comes from, and exactly what goes into it. Click here for more information.

Are the ingredients organic?

All of our ingredients are sourced from ethically responsible suppliers and we will always source produce from New Zealand where possible. At this stage, although some of our suppliers are certified as organic, this isn't the case across all of our produce, and we are unable to make that commitment. If a product is organic, it will say so on the packaging.

How long does it take to cook HelloFresh recipes?

This will depend on the recipe, but we know you're busy so we try and keep the cook times as short as possible. Most of our recipes take only 30-40 mins from prepping to eating, but you can always make your own adjustments.

If you're short on time, you can add a preference for our 'Quick & Easy' recipes in your Account settings, and we will select the quickest recipes for you each week.

What's the best way to store my herbs?

Herbs are more delicate than veggies. They need to be stored and cared for properly! First of all, keep your herbs in their sealed bag. We use special bags which work by removing harmful gases to keep your herbs fresher for longer, so it’s a good move to keep them sealed in there for as long as you can.

Leafy Herbs (coriander, parsley, dill)
Once opened, they should be kept moist, cool but not cold. Lay out the herbs, (making sure they’re dry) on a damp clean chux cloth or paper towel. Place the herbs inside and roll up the herbs within the damp cloth. Place in a zip lock bag and refrigerate. Wet the cloth when it dries out and this method should keep your herbs fresh for two weeks!

Woody Herbs (rosemary, thyme)
To keep them fresh, lay them out on a dry chux cloth, roll up in the cloth and store in a plastic sandwich bag in the fridge. This method should get you 2-3 weeks of fresh herbs. Keep your herbs at the front of the fridge, so you won't forget they're there and so they are not too close to the cooling unit, which will make them wilt!

Basil
Store basil in a few inches of water in a jar or a glass and keep out of direct sunlight. This method should keep basil fresh for two weeks, and prevents the leaves from blackening (which can happen in a very cold fridge).

Why does my chicken smell funny?

The odour you can smell is probably a result of our Cryovac packaging. While it keeps your chicken fresher for longer, the lack of circulating air (and excess nitrogen) can release an odour when the packaging is opened.

Rest assured, it is perfectly fine to consume up until, and including, the day of expiry. Just let it air for 3 minutes after opening!

Should you have any concerns about the quality of your chicken, please get in touch with us here.

What am I supposed to do with the packaging?
  • Cardboard box: Your box, recipe cards, meal kit bags (including stickers) and any cans you receive with your meals are all recyclable

  • Ice Packs: The ice packs are perfect for reuse in your chilly bin or cooler bag. Otherwise, simply dispose of the water-based gel in your general waste, you can then recycle the outer layer through Soft Plastics New Zealand. To locate your nearest drop off location visit https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/store-locator.

  • Plastic Wrappers: The plastic wrappers used for your meats, salads and herbs help to keep them fresh and hygienic. These can also be recycled through Soft Plastics New Zealand. To locate your nearest drop off location visit https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/store-locator.
Why do we need to use a cool pouch at all?

Our top priority is the safety of our customers and the quality of the fresh food we deliver. By including a cool pouch in your box, we are able to keep your food chilled in transit and ensure that the safety and hygiene of the ingredients are of an exceptionally high standard. With such a large amount of sensitive ingredients (including all of the meat and dairy!), the cool pouch is required to keep everything cool, fresh and safe to consume.

Rest assured, we are mindful of the amount of packaging used and reduce it where possible. We are continuously looking to optimise and innovate with quality and sustainability in mind.

What are you doing to reduce waste?

HelloFresh is committed to looking after our earth. After all, it produces all those delicious fresh ingredients in your boxes!

We reduce food wastage by sourcing seasonal food from local suppliers whenever possible and by pre-portioning ingredients for our recipes. This cuts out steps in the grocery supply chain and reduces food waste from farm to box! From our ethically raised meat to our farm-fresh produce, HelloFresh strives to incorporate earth-friendly and green initiatives into our business practices.

We are continuously innovating to find more sustainable options or to remove packaging altogether. The good news is that a lot of the packaging from your box (including the box itself!) can be recycled. Head on over to our packaging page to find out more. Our ice packs are 100% water-based so there are plenty of sustainable ways to repurpose them, you can use them to water your plants or pop them straight into your freezer to safely reuse in your chilly bin over the summer months.

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