Skip to main content
HelloFresh Logo
loading

Pause or cancel anytime

loading

Pause or cancel anytime

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.

Results are

I have a voucher code, why are you charging me $1?
This $1 charge is just a temporary verification fee and will be refunded within 10 days. This applies to all of our orders (even free boxes) so that we can ensure we have current payment details in place for people who are starting an ongoing subscription.
How much will I be charged each week?

Pricing is dependent on the type of box you order each week. Take a look at all our pricing options here.

If you select a meal upgrade, for example a Gourmet Recipe, you will be charged for this separately to your normal meal box.

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

Why can I see multiple charges from HelloFresh?

An additional charge means you may have selected one of our Meal Upgrades or Extras to your delivery this week! Meal upgrades and Extras are charged to your account separately from your Meal Box each week.

To see a breakdown of your charges, head to 'Account Settings' then 'Order History' in your online account.

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.

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.

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.
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.

What's in the box?

In addition to receiving easy-to-follow recipe cards with step-by-step instructions, you’ll also receive all the pre-portioned ingredients you need to make each meal.

Your protein, dairy and condiments are packed in our cool pouches with ice packs to keep cool in case you're not home when your box arrives!

There may be some things you need to keep handy, such as salt, pepper, water and oil. These are things you will usually have in the pantry, and 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 choices to check these out in advance.

How do I add or view recipes in my cookbook?

Add a recipe

You can keep all your favorite finds in one place. When you spot a recipe you love on social media or a website, just tap the Share icon on your phone and select the HelloFresh app from the list (you might need to tap 'More' or '...' to find us). We’ll whisk that recipe right into your digital cookbook, ingredients and all!

View saved recipes

To find your saved and imported recipes, just tap the Bookmark icon at the top of your HelloFresh app. It’s like having a secret stash of delicious inspiration right in your pocket.

How can I track the delivery of my box?

You will receive a tracking link via SMS which you can follow to check the current status of your delivery. This will be sent from New Zealand Post or Urgent Couriers.

Is it still within your selected delivery window? It may be that your delivery driver is still on their way to you! You can check your selected delivery window here.

If your delivery window has passed and your box still hasn't arrived, please check the tracking link for the latest updates. Otherwise, please click here to get in touch with us and one of our agents will follow up directly with the couriers.

How much does delivery cost?

Delivery fees are from $9.99. Your delivery fee will be charged with your meal box and will appear separately in your account. Some delivery areas/regions may incur an additional delivery region fee.

To see a breakdown of your charges, head to Order History in your online account.

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.

When will my payment go through?

You will be charged for your initial order at any time between completing the first order, and the first relevant Order Cut-Off time. You can find the order cut-off for your first delivery in the ‘My Deliveries’ section of your account.

Following the delivery of your first box, your weekly HelloFresh payments are taken the day following your weekly order cut-off.

Please ensure your payment details are up to date and that you have sufficient funds in your account.

Do you offer boxes for one?

For the time being we don't have a box that is designed for one person. Each of our recipes are designed with two or more in mind. Having said that, we do have many single-person households as customers. They can choose the 3-meal plan for 2 people and gain eternal popularity with their friends, tuck into any remaining food from their meals later in the week, or pack them for a work lunch the following day!

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.

How do I change my menu preference?

Tailor Your Menu with Your Food Profile

Your menu, your way. We want every HelloFresh box to feel like it was curated just for you! By updating your Food Profile, you can let our chefs know exactly what you love. Whether you’re looking for No Pork, No Fish, or Pescatarian options, we’ll make sure your automatic meal picks align perfectly with your lifestyle.

While you’ll always have access to our full weekly menu, this helps us highlight the recipes that best fit your taste and goals.

Active users can update their Food Profile by clicking here.

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.

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.
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!

Which recipe should I cook first?
That's entirely up to you, but we do advise you cook the seafood/fish, chicken and pork recipes first so they are at their freshest. You'll see the "eat me first" symbol on the bottom left-hand corner on your recipe card.
How can I keep my ingredients fresh?

Our veggies arrive to us fresh from the markets and our suppliers, and should always stay fresh for the course of the week. Of course, leafy ingredients like baby spinach, coriander, watercress or parsley are more fragile and we suggest you use these sooner rather than later.

Our meats have different expiry dates and are fine to consume up until, and including, that day. We use an airtight technology to package a lot of our meat products, which doesn't use any nasties or chemicals to prolong shelf life. For this reason, fresh air is trapped inside and can occasionally give a confinement odour to the meat once opened. Don't be concerned – the meat is perfectly safe to consume and this odour will dissipate once the meat is left open in the air for 5-10 minutes before using it. We recommend you eat your chicken and seafood first, and after that pork and red meats like beef and lamb.

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.

Will the paper cool pouch still keep my items cold?
Yes! Our new paper cool pouch uses a paper honeycomb core for superior insulation and has an adhesive seal to keep your dairy meat, sauces and condiments cold and safe to eat.
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.

Couldn't find the information you were looking for ? Contact Us