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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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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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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 here so we can take note of what has happened and compensate you for any ingredients.

I'm not happy with the quality of an ingredient

We're sorry to hear that. At HelloFresh, our focus is on fresh, seasonal ingredients and making sure all produce leaving our warehouse is up to our high standards. Unfortunately our suppliers have been widely affected by the recent adverse weather conditions in New Zealand and this is impacting the quality of some fresh produce.

We'll always do our best to source fresh ingredients that meet our high standards and we’re very sorry about any inconvenience caused. We do take these cases seriously. Please log the issue here so we can take note of what has happened and compensate you for any ingredients that didn't meet your expectations.

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.
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 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 type of bags does HelloFresh use? What material is it?

Your ingredients arrive in paper meal kit bags with a thin inner lining, to keep them fresher for longer.

These bags are made to be stored in your fridge. They have been specially designed to reduce outside moisture and protect your produce from wilting — hello, crunchy carrots!

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.

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