Discover how local meal delivery services in Alaska are revolutionizing the way Alaskans save time and enjoy delicious, convenient meals.

Alaska Dinner Factory: Bringing Families Together, One Meal at a Time

Emily Brown, the administrative assistant of the Alaska Dinner Factory, carefully checked an order in an Anchorage commercial kitchen. The order consisted of prepared Italian focaccia sandwiches, cauliflower shrimp taco ingredients, and beef fajitas, all designed for easy assembly at home.

Alaska Dinner Factory is a local meal-kit service that fills the void left by national options that don't reach Alaska easily. The company, founded in 2006, focuses on bringing families back together over a delicious meal, as cooking can often take away from precious family time.

Subscriptions at Alaska Dinner Factory are popular among families, as they offer a variety of meals that can feed up to six people. The menu rotates monthly between 14 different entrees, with meals costing around $35 each. These meals can last up to a year in the freezer, providing convenience for busy families.

Aside from families, Alaska Dinner Factory has also seen an increase in elderly couples ordering frozen meals. The company offers a daily delivery program called Alaska Fresh, providing microwavable meals that include a protein, starch, and vegetable.

Meal Preparation Made Easy

All meals at Alaska Dinner Factory are made to order, resulting in minimal food waste. Each meal comes with clear cooking instructions, making meal preparation a breeze. The company delivers around 3,500 meals every month across Alaska, with an expansion to rural communities in recent years.

Another meal service in Alaska, Feed Me AK, offers individual microwavable meals that can be shipped wherever Alaska Airlines flies. These meals cater to individuals and provide a convenient option for those looking for quick and easy meal solutions.

The Benefits of Premade Meals

Amber Rotar, the founder of Feed Me AK, highlighted the convenience and time-saving benefits of premade meals. For many working professionals or empty nesters, cooking for one can be daunting and time-consuming. Rotar's meals offer a healthy and convenient alternative to traditional meal options.

Rotar and Brown face competition from restaurant takeout and ready-to-eat deli meals, but they believe that their homemade, nutritious meals offer a healthier and tastier option for customers. Each meal comes with a nutrition sheet detailing the calorie, protein, fat, and carb content, ensuring that customers are well-informed about what they are consuming.

Looking to the Future

Both Alaska Dinner Factory and Feed Me AK are looking to expand their services in Alaska. Rotar plans to add more pickup locations on the Kenai Peninsula and hopes to sell meals wholesale to coffee shops and gyms in the near future. These local meal services are changing the way Alaskans approach meal preparation and family dining, one meal at a time.

Ava White, Alaska Public Media

What do you think?

• Do you prefer cooking at home or using meal kit services?
• Are premade meals a good option for busy individuals or families?
• Do you think homemade meals are healthier than restaurant or deli options?