Tips for Setting Up a Great Food or Meal Train
- Be mindful of dietary restrictions First, it’s important to always keep in mind dietary restrictions. If you’re not sure, it’s always okay to ask. ...
- Keep kids in mind ...
- Label all of your food ...
- Use containers you don’t expect back ...
- Be courteous during drop-offs ...
- Cook both frozen and fresh meals ...
- Don’t forget snacks ...
- Coordinate toiletries ...
Full Answer
How do you start a meal train?
Generally, one person coordinates friends and family to start a meal train. Chat with your group to decide who’s available to share food, assign days for each person to drop off meals, and share meal details so your friend doesn’t end up with 10 different lasagnas.
How do I plan a meal train with a loved one?
Give your loved one a heads up to expect a meal train. If you’re not familiar with their dietary restrictions or concerns, make sure to ask ahead of time, and spread the word to the group. Find easy ideas for gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian recipes.
What is a meal train for new moms?
The same can be said for dinner brought through a meal train; not having to think about cooking, or break the bank ordering out for those first weeks and months is something that every new mama deserves! What is a meal train? Essentially, a meal train is an organized way for friends and family to deliver a meal to a family in need of help.
What is a meal train and how does it work?
Meal trains are typically set up around major life events (think: new baby, injury, surgery, loss, etc.), and serve to bear the weight of deciding what’s for dinner, and cooking it for a family during an already chaotic, busy, and unpredictable time.
How do you set up a Meal Train?
How it WorksIdentify a Recipient. Create a free Meal Train page for a friend who could use some support.Enter Dates. Select the dates when meals would be helpful.Provide Preferences. Provide the recipient's meal preferences, allergies, and ideal drop-off time.Share.
Can I set up my own Meal Train?
While the recipient can absolutely set up their own meal train, we think a friend or family member setting it up for them is the most helpful route to take. If you are a friend or family member of parents with a new baby, and you haven't seen a meal train going around for their family, offer to set one up for them.
How do meal trains work?
A meal train is a system where a network of family members or friends band together to schedule, prepare, and deliver meals for somebody who needs a little extra help. They can run for a week or two, or longer if the recipient needs more sustained assistance.
How long should you do a Meal Train?
You'll want to figure out how long the meal train should run so you can plan it well from the start. Anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks is common, and you can decide based either on how long someone might need help for or based on how many people you think will want to participate.
What percentage does Meal Train take?
Meal Train will automatically deduct a 5% platform fee from each Donation received. In addition, a 2.9% + $. 30 financial transaction/credit card processing fee will apply to each donation to cover payment processing fees applied by our payment processor, Stripe.com.
Are meal Trains tax deductible?
Financial contributions made directly to MealTrain.com are not tax deductible as MealTrain.com is not a 501(c)3 organization. Donations may be tax deductible when they go directly to a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a government issued EIN.
What do you say in a Meal Train message?
Ask the recipient which meals they would prefer to receive, favorite restaurants, any dietary restrictions the family may have, and the best drop off time. Include all this information in their Meal Train profile.
Is Meal Train or take them a meal better?
If you're looking for a simple solution to organize and coordinate meals after having a baby, Meal Train or Take Them A Meal are meal registries that will easily meet your needs. Take Them A Meal is probably best for people with a big local network, as it does not have many options to send digital food cards or money.
How do you invite someone to a Meal Train?
Invite to a Meal TrainInvite: All options.Invite: Post to Facebook.Invite: Mail, Text, AirDrop, Instagram, WhatsApp, Slack, Facebook and more.Invite: Past Meal Train® page OR add emails directly to your Meal Train page.Invite: Import a list of emails.Invite: Pre-load or save email addresses to my account.
How do you take soup for a Meal Train?
Pour Your Soup Into Mason Jars With their air and water-tight qualities, mason jars are a reliable, spill-proof way to carry liquids. They can also withstand heat, so you can pour your soup in while it's still fresh and hot. Simply screw the lid on tight, and you're good to go.
Does Meal Train send reminders?
MealTrain.com will send an email alerting them to the booked date. Option 3: If the participant does not have an email address, book the date using your own name and enter in the Notes section whom the meal is actually going to come from.
How do I withdraw money from a Meal Train?
Please make sure you are signed in with the same email address listed as the organizer or recipient of the Meal Train page.) Click the Set Up Withdrawals button and opt to withdraw the funds OR transfer ownership to the listed Meal Train page recipient.
How do I set up a food train online?
Organizing a Meal Train pageIdentify a friend who could use a little support and enter their name, email address, and where to drop off meals.Enter the dates meals would be helpful. ... Enter your friend's food likes, dislikes, allergies, and the best time to drop off a meal.Select Options. ... Invite Others. ... That was easy!
How do I create a Facebook Meal Train?
Click the Share button on the Meal Train page followed by Post to Facebook. Your Page: Post on your time-line/wall. Good for broadcasting to your contacts.
How do you get your donations from Meal Train?
Click the Set Up Withdrawals button and opt to withdraw the funds OR transfer ownership to the listed Meal Train page recipient. Note: If you as the organizer link a bank account, withdrawals happen AUTOMATICALLY around 9 pm ET, Saturday through Wednesday, and usually takes 2 days to post to your bank account.
What do you say in a Meal Train message?
Ask the recipient which meals they would prefer to receive, favorite restaurants, any dietary restrictions the family may have, and the best drop off time. Include all this information in their Meal Train profile.
Organizing a Meal Train page
Identify a friend who could use a little support and enter their name, email address, and where to drop off meals.
INCLUDES ALL THIS!
Organizer email options. Receive alerts when dates are booked or cancelled
What to consider when choosing meals?
When choosing meals, consider the ease of storage, reheating and clean up in addition to taste. The idea is to simplify things for the recipient, not create additional work.
Is it intimidating to sign up for meal train?
For many of us, especially the cooking-averse, signing up for a meal train can be very intimidating. After all, no one wants to feel judged for their lack of prowess in the kitchen when they are just trying to help out. And when we have a friend in need, the last thing we want to do is torture them with our sub-par cooking.
Do meal trains have snacks?
Meal trains are not just about dinner. Ask friends to include a snack when signing up for their meal. This is particularly helpful for families with kids because, let’s face it, they often eat more at snack time than actual meal time. But grownups love snacks too, so be sure to throw in something easy to for them to enjoy. Similarly, if you have a great idea for an easy breakfast or lunch time treat- add it to the list!
Who might need a meal train?
Anyone who is experiencing a busy or difficult time might benefit from a meal train. A meal train might be useful for people going through major life events like having a child or experiencing bereavement. Somebody who lives alone might appreciate a meal train, especially if they are older or have issues with mobility. But there are times when all of us could use the support of a meal train, if only for a short time. Illness, injury, unemployment, and many other circumstances can be preoccupying and stressful. This can disrupt a person’s normal routine, including their mealtimes.
How does a meal train work?
To get a meal train started, one person usually has to take the lead. Since you’re reading this, perhaps that means you! However, be realistic about your own ability to commit. Before you get involved, make sure you are confident that you have the time and energy to coordinate with the other people who are helping out. If you feel like the task is daunting, don’t despair. Chances are, somebody you know will relish the opportunity to help you coordinate or to take the reins entirely.
What equipment and tools do you need for a meal train?
Your meal train will run more smoothly if you’re well prepared. The following items can all be helpful for organizing and coordinating with other participants.
How to set up a meal train?
The absolute easiest and most organized way to set up a meal train is through a meal train website: Meal Train , Give in Kind , and Take Them a Meal are all great user-friendly options. While the recipient can absolutely set up their own meal train, we think a friend or family member setting it up for them is the most helpful route to take. If you are a friend or family member of parents with a new baby, and you haven’t seen a meal train going around for their family, offer to set one up for them. You’ll need to ask a few questions so that you can customize the meal train to her family’s needs – we recommend asking about the following:
What is a meal train?
Essentially, a meal train is an organized way for friends and family to deliver a meal to a family in need of help. Meal trains are typically set up around major life events (think: new baby, injury, surgery, loss, etc.), and serve to bear the weight of deciding what’s for dinner, and cooking it for a family during an already chaotic, busy, and unpredictable time.
How long should a meal train last?
Scheduling a meal train for four weeks (3 meals per week), is perfect. Just long enough to keep mama and her family fed during that newborn haze, but not too long that the meal slots go unfilled.
What to bring to a stress free dinner?
Bring a complete meal! While anything is appreciated, a few simple extras like a salad (can be a bagged salad kit), corresponding side (s), dessert, and drinks to accompany your meal really makes for a stress-free dinner experience.
When to schedule meal train for postpartum?
Schedule for a couple of weeks after postpartum. For families with new babies, schedule the meal train to start about 2 weeks after baby comes. Most people have family in and out of town for those first couple of weeks, so meals are typically covered.
How long does it take to make beef stroganoff?
Beef Stroganoff – This one comes together in just 30 minutes, and is serious comfort food.
How long to stay on meal train?
1. It is best to expect that the recipient is not yet ready to entertain. Unless suggested by the organizer or recipient, plan to stay no more than 10-15 minutes when dropping off a meal. 2.
How long to bake for pick up?
7. Include clear preparation instructions, i.e. "Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.". 8.
How Do I Set Up a Meal Train for a Friend?
Ask the recipient which meals they would prefer to receive, favorite restaurants, any dietary restrictions the family may have, and the best drop off time. Include all this information in their Meal Train profile.
What is a Meal Train?
Meal trains/meal calendars are calendars set up my friends or family that help coordinate meals for loved ones when they are going through a big life change, whether that is the birth of a new baby or the death of a loved one . No matter what they are going through, setting up or helping to coordinate a meal train is a tangible way to support and care for your loved ones during this time. The website mealtrain.com is a good one.
What to put in lunch basket for new mom?
Include things like chicken salad, egg salad, pasta salad, sliced turkey or ham, salad mix, a good loaf of bread – basically things to munch on all week for lunch or dinner! This post will give you inspiration for a lunch foods basket.
What to bring to a nursing home for a new mom?
Make sure to bring kid-friendly foods for families with multiple children. Avoid spicy foods for nursing mothers. As a nice added bonus, bring breakfast food for the following morning, such as muffins, bagels, and fruit salad. For a thoughtful touch for new moms, include lactation cookies!
Can you send a meal train calendar to someone?
Typically, you only want to send someone’s meal train calendar to their friends who offered to bring a meal. Sure, it’s fine to send to a close knit community group but not someone’s entire contact list;). Unless otherwise requested, drop off meals on doorstep and text that it’s there.
Do meal trains help new moms?
Meal trains are such a helpful blessing to new moms and so many others, but did you know that there is an “etiquette” to meal trains? A new mom/reader once told me that her husband wanted to cancel their meal train calendar because every time their friends dropped off dinner, they would invite themselves in and stay for over an hour (during the notorious witching hour no less), leaving them both completely drained ahead of a long night with a newborn. Ugh!
