MEAL TRAINS

Here’s a list of the best apps and websites for organizing a meal train or providing meal support for new parents, loved ones, or anyone in need:

Top Meal Train Apps and Websites

1. Google Sheets

  • Website: www.google.com

  • Key Features:

    • Create a shared document or spreadsheet for meal sign-ups.

    • Add columns for date, meal, allergies, and drop-off instructions.

  • Why It’s Great: Completely customizable and free to use, though less automated.

  • Drawbacks: Requires manual updates and monitoring by the organizer, which can be time-consuming. Not everyone may be comfortable using spreadsheets.

2. Meal Train

  • Website: www.mealtrain.com

  • Key Features:

    • Free basic version allows scheduling one meal per day.

    • Meal Train Plus ($10 one-time fee) includes additional scheduling options for tasks like grocery shopping, errands, and pet care.

    • User-friendly interface for organizers and participants.

  • Why It’s Great: Tailored specifically for meal trains, making it a straightforward choice.

  • Drawbacks: Limited to one meal per day in the free version, and some users might find the interface less flexible for custom needs.

3. Take Them a Meal

  • Website: www.takethemameal.com

  • Key Features:

    • Allows participants to sign up to make and deliver meals or order pre-made meals directly from the website.

    • Simple, streamlined calendar view.

  • Why It’s Great: Perfect for non-cooks, as you can send meals from their store, and it’s easy to use.

  • Drawbacks: Limited customization options for complex schedules or additional tasks beyond meals.

4. Give In Kind

  • Website: www.giveinkind.com

  • Key Features:

    • Schedule meals and other types of support (childcare, errands, house cleaning, etc.).

    • Create a wishlist for favorite restaurants or delivery services.

    • Offers a versatile platform for beyond just meal trains.

  • Why It’s Great: Ideal for families with broader needs, not just meals.

  • Drawbacks: May be overwhelming for participants who just want to provide a simple meal. Requires more setup and communication to organize effectively.

5. Lotsa Helping Hands

  • Website: www.lotsahelpinghands.com

  • Key Features:

    • Includes meal scheduling along with other caregiving tasks.

    • Offers a community-building approach where multiple people can coordinate different types of help.

  • Why It’s Great: Great for families who need ongoing support or have multiple helpers involved.

  • Drawbacks: The additional features can make it more complex for those who just want to organize meal deliveries. Participants may need more guidance to use it.

Best Apps for Restaurant and Grocery Delivery

If cooking isn’t an option, these apps let you support families with food deliveries or gift cards:

1. DoorDash

  • Website: www.doordash.com

  • Key Features:

    • Wide selection of local restaurants.

    • Offers gift cards and group orders.

  • Why It’s Great: Convenient for sending meals directly to families.

  • Drawbacks: Delivery fees and service charges can add up, especially for frequent orders.

2. GrubHub

  • Website: www.grubhub.com

  • Key Features:

    • Easy ordering from various restaurants.

    • Option to schedule deliveries ahead of time.

  • Why It’s Great: Reliable and widely available across the U.S.

  • Drawbacks: Similar to DoorDash, fees can make regular use expensive.

3. Uber Eats

  • Website: www.ubereats.com

  • Key Features:

    • Large restaurant network.

    • User-friendly app with real-time tracking.

  • Why It’s Great: Perfect for quick and easy meal deliveries.

  • Drawbacks: Limited availability in some rural areas, and fees can be high for smaller orders.

4. Instacart

  • Website: www.instacart.com

  • Key Features:

    • Grocery delivery from local stores.

    • Option to send groceries or ready-made meals.

  • Why It’s Great: Excellent for stocking up the fridge with essentials.

  • Drawbacks: Substitution issues can arise if items are out of stock, and delivery fees apply.

5. Postmates

  • Website: www.postmates.com

  • Key Features:

    • Offers both restaurant and grocery delivery.

    • Available in many cities across the U.S.

  • Why It’s Great: A versatile option for meals and more.

  • Drawbacks: Higher delivery fees and potential delays during peak times.