Why are food prep services so popular with international students?

Food preparation services, also known as meal prep deliveries, provide customers with pre-made meals or meal kits delivered to their homes. These meals provide convenience to the customer, as they only require microwaving before eating.

I would much rather trust a chef in making a nutritious and healthy meal over myself. It is their field after all.

– Warwick Student

Why are they so popular among international students?

The Boar interviewed an international student from Indonesia to find out why he prefers food preparation services over making his food. The student told The Boar: “The meals solved my biggest problem in uni, which was balancing my schedule.”

The student further elaborated on how they can be healthier than making food himself: “I would much rather trust a chef in making a nutritious and healthy meal over myself. It is their field after all.”

Why are meal preparation services less popular among home students?
The Boar interviewed two home students to find out why they don’t use meal preparation services. The first student from London told The Boar: “Their vegetarian meals are way too overpriced. I would not see myself paying more than £4 on a vegetarian meal; I’d be much better off making my own food.” The second home student, from Newcastle, told The Boar: “I can see why people would use them, especially if they go to the gym, however I don’t think I would spend any money on it, at my current state.”

Both students emphasised that they would much rather cook their own food rather than have a meal preparation service, due to the cost that comes with the services.

How did these meal preparation services appeal to international students more than home students?
Various meal preparation services such as Simmer utilise all types of international flavours to attract attention from all types of countries. Their dishes range from Jamaican food to Korean BBQ. This attracts people seeking cultural comfort through familiar flavours. Furthermore, they also give customers global flavours that many are eager to try, hence the growth among international students.

The meal preparation services also accommodate all religious requirements by serving halal or vegetarian food to ensure that no one can be left out from trying their meals. Drawing these factors together, the reasoning behind the popularity of these services with international students specifically is understandable.

The differing appeal highlights how lifestyle, cultural preferences, and financial priorities shape food choices at university

What can be concluded?
In conclusion, meal preparation services have gained significant popularity among international students due to their convenience, cultural variety, and accommodation of dietary and religious needs. For students managing tight schedules and are unfamiliar with local ingredients or cooking styles, these services offer a reliable solution that balances health and time.

In contrast, home students are often deterred by high costs and prefer to cook for themselves, finding it more economical and personally satisfying. The differing appeal highlights how lifestyle, cultural preferences, and financial priorities shape food choices at university.