In 2020, HelloFresh experienced record growth across all of its geographies, including the UK. Demand grew worldwide, and we operated near capacity at certain periods during the year, producing and distributing food to both existing and new customers in the safety of their homes.

Increased demand brought increased need for more production and distribution centres worldwide. Facilities that would not only allow us to continue to meet the ongoing demand, but also allow us to build our capacity for future growth plans.

In the UK’s Nuneaton, we opened one such new centre - the Beehive - in December, last year. And this month, we are proud to celebrate the successful production and distribution of one million meal kits from this flagship facility, to homes across the length and breadth of the UK. 

Boxes ready to be shipped to customers.

Opening during the coronavirus pandemic, and in the context of responding to exceptional demand for meal kits, has not been without its challenges. We are incredibly proud, however, of the resilience, dedication, and adaptability of every one of our 800 employees at the Beehive. 

Using national and local produce, the boxes are assembled to make up our customers’ chosen meals, selected from our weekly catalogue of 36 recipes. We are excited to continue in our efforts of changing the way people eat forever, providing healthy, but exciting choices for our UK customers. 

HelloFresh boxes are assembled - Customers in the UK can choose between 36 different recipes each week.

Five-star sustainability rating 

March saw the release of our Sustainability Report 2020 which set out our goals to be achieved by 2022 – namely, to halve food waste and cut emissions by 60 per cent per € revenue by the year end.

Our Nuneaton production and distribution centre is another example of our promise towards continued sustainability across the business, as demonstrated by the achievement of the facility’s five-star sustainability rating. 

The centre has been designed to minimise waste at every opportunity. There is a rainwater harvesting system that also heats the water to the offices by solar thermal panels, skylights to maximise the use of natural lighting, and motion and daylight sensors to reduce overall electricity demand. 

Going further, 100 percent of the electricity and gas supply comes from a certified green energy source, and we have plans to cover the entire roof in solar panels.

As the world’s largest meal kit provider, we have a responsibility to set a clear precedent for sustainable growth – and it’s a responsibility that we take very seriously, including in Nuneaton.

Hygiene and food safety have the highest priority for HelloFresh and it’s employees.

Partnering with Bedworth Food Bank

The pandemic has shone a light on the importance of everyone having access to healthy and nutritious food, and it is why we are partnering with Bedworth Food Bank, a service that acts as a lifeline for those in need in Nuneaton and the surrounding areas.

We will be donating meal kits to the food bank to ensure that they reach those who need them most, and to ensure that we are always doing our best to have a positive impact in the local community.

The Beehive is at the very heart of our operation in the UK, and we are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone, with the support of our colleagues, partners, and the community. We look forward to continuing our work locally, together transforming the way people eat forever.