The Feast & Fettle meal delivery service debuted in Brookline at the beginning of COVID-19, providing local residents with a timely way to stay out of grocery stores. Since then, they’ve continued updating their services to provide Brookline residents with food access by adding safety measures and providing holiday meals for Rosh Hashanah and later this year for Hanukkah.
Brookline residents Marilyn and Michael Mufson were introduced to the service by their daughter in March. “We’re both over 65, and although we’re active and healthy, we both thought it would be a good idea to try to avoid going to stores,” says Michael Mufson. The couple says they like the diversity of the meals and contactless delivery. Seventy-five percent of their meals still come from the service even as restrictions have lifted.
Holidays and family gatherings have been one of the hardest losses during the COVID-19 quarantines. To ease the burden and bring back some holiday spirit, Feast & Fettle offered a Rosh Hashanah meal that could be ordered without a Feast & Fettle membership for parties of 2,4 or 8.
The meal was nostalgic as well as nourishing for the Mufsons. “I grew up in Brooklyn where ethnic Jewish food was really a joy of the neighborhood in the 50s and 60s,” says Michael. “This reminded us of growing up. It was exceptional.” Hanukkah food options will be available on the Feast & Fettle menu the week of December 13th-18th.
In addition to bringing celebratory foods to the menu, Feast & Fettle has increased their “add-ons” to provide more of a grocery shopping experience. The add-ons are items that you can request in addition to your meals, things like freshly baked bread or a dozen eggs. This prevents subscribers from having to venture out to stores. Mufson mentioned that bagels and lox are sometimes available in the add-on section as well.
Giving back to New England and global communities is an important part of Feast & Fettle’s mission. Regularly part of every order is donated to Edesia Nutrition, which provides sustenance to malnourished children globally. During COVID-19, they’ve been donating meals to essential workers at Rhode Island hospitals. Their team estimates they’ve donated to every hospital in the state at this point.
For Brookline, the service allows residents to eat well-prepared meals without the risk of visiting a busy grocery store or the inconvenience of standing in the never-ending line at the Coolidge Corner Trader Joes. “For those of us who are considered high risk, it’s excellent food, convenient and safe,” Mufson says.