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Peapod ramps up meal kit offering

Online grocer readies more varieties, wider distribution

Russell Redman

September 10, 2018

3 Min Read
Peapod_meal_kit_sweet_savory_pork_tacos.png
Peapod's sweet and savory pork tacos by Frontera are especially popular in Chicago, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.Photos: Peapod

Online grocery service Peapod is expanding its selection and distribution of meal kits.

The Ahold Delhaize USA subsidiary said it plans to roll out more than 40 new meal kits through next spring. As part of the expansion, the kits will become more readily available this fall to consumers in Connecticut and other areas of New England, who will also see a greater variety of recipes.

Popular meal kits added recently, Peapod said, include limited-edition chicken tinga tacos by Chef Jon Zaragoza and Diet Coke; vegan General Tso’s tofu by Chef Chloe Coscarelli; and glazed beef tenderloin skewers, cauliflower and tabbouleh by Wildfire.

Since the spring, Peapod has released more than 15 new meal kits, all containing premeasured, precut and prewashed fresh ingredients.

Peapod_meal_kit_steak_au_poivre_1_2.pngThe steak au poivre is a favorite in New England.

Peapod noted that it has seen a strong customer response as its meal kit selection has expanded, with the kits consistently getting four- and five-star ratings. Peapod meal kit consumers are typically heavy users of the online grocery service, and the basket size including a meal kit is 11% larger than the average basket size, the company said.

“The Peapod customer is busy, and they come to us because they’re looking for a convenient and simplified option for grocery shopping,” Spencer Baird, senior vice president of merchandising for Peapod, said in a statement. “We want to take that a step further by having options to make their lives even easier, and through offering items that simplify the cooking process and provide shortcuts, we’re helping them make the most of mealtimes. Customers who shop with Peapod can combine their weekly grocery shopping essentials with convenience cuts and meal kits, equipping them with everything they need to conquer a busy week.”

Favorite meal kits vary across Peapod’s markets, the company added. The top three kits in each region are the following:

New York/New Jersey: Zucchini noodles with veggie primavera by Hunt’s, big bowl basil chicken with artichoke hearts and spinach over penne, and big bowl beef and broccoli with Uncle Ben’s jasmine rice.

Chicago/Wisconsin: Big bowl beef and broccoli with jasmine rice, sweet and savory pork tacos by Frontera, and Carolina pulled pork by Zen of Slow Cooking.

Pennsylvania: Bacon- and feta-topped chicken breast with broccoli and potatoes, sweet and savory pork tacos by Frontera, and chicken pot pie by Campbell’s.

D.C. region: Bacon- and feta-topped chicken breast with broccoli and potatoes, big bowl beef and broccoli with Uncle Ben’s jasmine rice, and basil chicken with artichoke hearts and spinach over penne.

New England: Bacon- and feta-topped chicken breast with broccoli and potatoes, basil chicken with artichoke hearts and spinach over penne, and steak au poivre.

In developing new meal kit recipes, Peapod has partnered with a range of consumer packaged goods companies and brands, such as Campbell’s, Uncle Ben’s, Conagra and PepsiCo.

“Working with Peapod to create meal kits featuring Seeds of Change and Uncle Ben’s has been an amazing way for us to introduce our products to new consumers,” said Dan Jackson, vice president of marketing at Mars Food North America. “Together, we’re able to provide recipe inspiration that is convenient, healthy and delivers big on flavor.”

Chicago-based Peapod serves 24 metropolitan markets in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The online grocer delivers to homes and businesses and has more than 200 pickup locations. 

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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