HelloFresh launches fleet of 500 delivery vans

Meal kit service HelloFresh announced on Tuesday that it has launched its own fleet of 500 delivery vans in 19 major U.S. metro areas. 

The Berlin-based company said the new network will optimize its delivery routes and reduce the distance traveled, helping HelloFresh reduce its carbon footprint and cut down on packaging, food waste, insulation waste and ice packs.  

Part of the fleet is electric, and the company said it plans to go fully electric over the next few years.  

“The last-mile solution marks a significant investment in the customer experience by ensuring on-time delivery and improving quality control, while also furthering the company’s sustainability efforts with a focus on electrification,” the company said in a statement.  

The vans are outfitted with HelloFresh branding, as well as branding for Factor, another meal service company in the HelloFresh portfolio. The company’s other brands include Green Chef and Everyplate.  

HelloFresh has previously relied on UPS, FedEx and select regional carriers to gets its meal kits to customers' doorsteps.

The company is also using new software enabling real-time communication between customers and drivers. Managing the logistics also gives HelloFresh visibility of the life of each box, allowing the company to adapt quickly to delivery issues and better ensure orders reach their destinations on time.  

“HelloFresh is always innovating to provide a best-in-class experience for our customers,” said Nunzio Di Savino, vice president of U.S. logistics for HelloFresh, in a statement. “Our delivery fleet is one new way that we’re ensuring customers’ orders arrive fresh and on time. Our main priority will always be to offer our customers the most seamless end-to-end experience."