We have reviewed Mom’s Meals numerous times throughout the years, and have been quite critical of the quality of these meals, especially as a senior meal delivery solution for family caregivers. Mom’s is a medicaid senior meal delivery service, so they are restricted by budget, but in the past we felt there was little effort going into producing a quality meal for seniors and the elderly.
That has all changed with our most recent review which shows an impressive improvement in every area a customer can experience this service. In our past three orders, we have always experienced broken seals on the microwave trays. In our 2014 order almost half of the seals were broken. Broken seals are not only a food safety concern they ruin the food. In our latest order we didn’t have any broken seals on 21 meals purchased from the company.
We classify Mom’s Meals as a Medicaid Food Provider, meaning the company is challenged with creating nutritious meals that meet government and health provider requirements and producing these meals at a very inexpensive price. Private pay pricing costs $7, and we are sure it is much less for government contracts. Other companies that share this market at this price include Homestyle Direct and Traditions Meal Solutions. Top Chef Meals, which doesn’t do Medicaid, might average a dollar higher per meal for much better quality.
We don’t like to say we “mark on a curve, ” but we do understand the limitations and challenges these services have. Obviously, you are not going to find a rack of lamb on the menu, as you will at Home Bistro, but you’re not going to pay as much as $15 for a meal. We have great respect for these companies because they provide food to millions of seniors and elderly around the country, who may be eating cat food (or not eating at all) if it weren’t for these companies. Not to mention all the family caregivers who may struggle with financially providing three meals a day for their loved ones.
In our past orders, we have always experienced excessive water in the compartment trays, usually for the entree. Excessive water creates water damaged food that has the seasoning and texture of the meal washed away. In our latest order, we found only one meal with some water in it, which we would not classify as excessive.
In our past orders, we had issues with reheating, a lack of complete meals, cracked or leaking trays, small portion sizes, and cheap ingredients. In our latest order, we found all of these past issues have been fixed.
A week after our tasting, we are still very impressed with the quality improvements Mom’s has made since our last order. The most positive feedback came from our resident chef blogger who has great insight and experience in the meal delivery business. We are not sure if he has ever complimented a meal delivery more for their improvements.
More About Mom’s Meals
Mom’s Meals delivers fresh-made meals nationwide. Meals are delivered in a fresh lock package and can be reheated in the microwave in as little as two minutes. Unlike most senior meal delivery services, these meals for seniors are advertised as being delivered fresh, not frozen, but it certainly seemed out multiple meal deliveries were frozen and thawed during shipping.
The meals delivered by Mom’s are fully-prepared, nutritionally balanced meals that provide up 700 calories with protein, whole grains, vegetables and snacks included. Meals are designed by a dietician and hand made by a dedicated team of chefs. The menu includes American, Latin and Asian with your choice of nutritional diets including:
- General Wellness
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Heart Friendly
- Diabetic-Friendly
- Cancer Support
- Pureed
- Renal-Friendly
No Satisfaction Guarantee
Mom’s Meals offers a “satisfaction guarantee,” which reads more like sales copy and doesn’t specifically state what consumers are entitled to, should they be unhappy with the food. But it does say this: “Mom’s Meals will NOT issue any refunds for any meals and/or shipments that have already been delivered.”