As Aussies switch on to the health and environmental benefits of going plant-based, more and more they're turning to the convenience of vegan meal delivery services.
And two of the biggest of these are Soulara and Garden of Goodness (which used to be called Garden of Vegan).
Here, we’re going to break down the difference between the two and their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Meal options and variety
Starting with the menu, Soulara features 27 different plant-based dishes and gives you the option to choose between medium sized 350g meals or large 450g meals. You can also choose calorie conscious options, which are under 400 calories, and high protein meals too.
Soulara also offers a range of protein bars in three different flavours, as well as three kinds of juices and kombuchas.
Garden of Vegan features 24 meals on its menu, including breakfast and soups. The meals come in a variety of sizes, depending on the dish. Like Soulara, calorie-controlled options are also offered. You'll also find sweet and savoury snacks such as hummus dips and cacao bites.
The main difference between the two menus is that Soulara has a more streamlined offering focused on lunch and dinner. In contrast, Garden of Vegan is more wide-ranging and includes side dishes like broccoli rice and tabbouleh. They also sell pantry items such as dried fruit, nuts and legumes.
Nutritional value and meal quality
In terms of the style and quality of meals, Soulara and Garden of Vegan take very different approaches. Soulara is all about tasty and unpretentious plant-based eats, keeping with its mission of helping everyone eat more plants.
The menu features plenty of crowd pleasers. Pastas, rice bowls, curries and noodles are the order of the day, with a selection inspired by world cuisine. Soulara's partnership with v2food means they’re also able to offer plant protein options other than tofu and legumes (hello Bangin’ Bangers and Mash!).
Meanwhile Garden of Vegan is very much about organic produce and a more purist attitude and includes fresh salads and other dishes that don’t require heating. The menu is earthier and wears its healthiness on its sleeve. This could explain why some reviews are less than impressed with how flavourful the dishes are.
Though having said that, both brands and approaches have their fans.
Pricing and value for money
The result of these two approaches is reflected in their price points. Garden of Vegan sees itself as a premium product and charges accordingly, whereas Soulara’s more down-to-earth philosophy and focus on health, convenience and value means prices are less expensive.
Soulara also takes a simpler approach to pricing. All medium 350g meals are $10.95, and large 450g meals are $11.95, offering the best value for money.
Garden of Vegan, on the other hand, charges a range of prices depending on the dish. Prices start at $15.95 for a Quinoa Pomegranate Tabouleh and go as high as $27.95 for a Falafel Salad bowl.
As far as value for money goes, it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want purist organic vegan meals, the Garden of Goodness’s premium prices might seem worth paying. If not, you’ll find Soulara a great fit.
Soulara’s delivery charges are also cheaper and simpler. $15 flat rate Australia-wide, with free delivery on orders over $150. Garden of Vegan charges between $18.95 and $24.95, depending on where you live, with free delivery on orders over $250.
Conclusion
Soulara and Garden of Vegan offer excellent services, albeit different experiences.
For the vegan purist willing to pay a premium for organic ingredients, Garden of Vegan has much to recommend with its complete menu offering and fresh salad options. But at its priciest, it is almost $16 more than Soulara’s most expensive tier.
If you’re after good, convenient plant-based fare with less pretensions but fewer frills, Soulara is probably the better choice. It offers good value-for-money and a reputation for tasty food.