How Red Apron Helps You Eat Well at Home
When Red Apron first opened its doors 20 years ago, the goal was simple: Make it easier for people to eat well at home. Instead of rushing through grocery stores and scrambling to cook after long workdays, people could rely on nourishing, chef-prepared meals made from scratch and delivered straight to their door.
Two decades later, the women-owned Ottawa business has become something more than a convenient dinner solution. For many, Red Apron has quietly become part of the support system that helps them continue living comfortably at home—through busy family years, health challenges, and the later stages of life.
Co-founded by Jennifer Heagle, Red Apron prepares seasonal meals in its Ottawa kitchen using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. As well as picking up lunch and grabbing treats from the in-store cafe, people can order ready-to-heat dishes delivered directly to their homes, offering a simple way to maintain balanced eating habits, especially at times when preparing food seems too much of a chore.
“We’ve gotten to see people at all stages of their life,” says Jennifer. “They can rely on Red Apron to deliver their meals so they can enjoy healthy food in the comfort of their own home.”
This business model has created something rare in the food world: lifelong customers. Nearly two decades ago, one Ottawa family signed up for Red Apron when their son was just three years old. At the time, his parents were juggling careers, childcare, and the nightly challenge of getting a healthy dinner on the table.
Today, that same child is in university, and has been working part-time at Red Apron since high school. His parents, now empty nesters, still order meals for delivery. “It’s a privilege to say we’ve been part of this family’s life for 20 years,” Jennifer says.
Relying on Red Apron meals has helped some people make significant decisions about where they live. Jennifer recalls one couple who were considering moving into a retirement residence. After taking a closer look at their options, they realized something surprising: if they had Red Apron delivered three days a week, they could comfortably remain in their own home.
Other families have arranged meal deliveries when adjusting to life with a newborn, recovering from surgery, or supporting a loved one through medical treatment. “In those moments, the last thing people want to worry about is cooking,” she says.
Beyond the meals themselves, Red Apron has built deep connections within the local community through partnerships with nearby farmers and its eco-friendly return-to-donate container program. Through that initiative alone, more than half a million containers have been reused, and Red Apron has been able to donate over $130,000 for local food programs.
Red Apron celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. “If we’ve made it easier for people to eat well and stay in their homes a little longer, then we’ve done something worthwhile,” Jennifer says. Red Apron is located at 410 Gladstone Ave. redapron.ca
