A national survey commissioned by HelloFresh suggests that home-cooked meals made with fresh ingredients can play a role in improving mood and energy during the winter months.
The research, conducted by The Harris Poll Canada, found that 66 per cent of Canadians say eating more home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients significantly improves mood and energy. It also found that 60 per cent say they experience the winter blues, pointing to what the company describes as a demand for practical, everyday approaches to wellness during winter.
Research points to food and mood connection
The findings form the basis of HelloFresh’s Blue Monday activities and broader messaging around food and well-being. The company says the research shows that small, consistent choices around meals can be more realistic for many people than major lifestyle changes during winter.
According to the survey, 35 per cent of Canadians say they skip or delay a meal at least once a week because they cannot face cooking or deciding what to eat. The research describes this pattern as “Fridge Fatigue,” linking low energy, decision overload, and poorly stocked or disorganized fridges to reduced motivation to cook.
HelloFresh says the findings underscore the importance of accessible meal solutions that reduce decision-making and preparation effort, particularly during periods when energy levels are low.
Blue Monday pop-up planned at Union Station
To mark Blue Monday, HelloFresh plans to host a walk-through pop-up installation at Toronto’s Union Station. The event is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
The installation will be centred on what the company calls a “Feel-Good Fridge,” intended to highlight the idea that keeping a fridge stocked with ready-to-cook meals made from specific ingredients can help support mood and energy. The pop-up is designed as a commuter-facing activation during the evening rush.
Attendees will be offered a free HelloFresh meal kit to take home. The kits will feature chef-designed meals described as simple and comforting, built around fresh ingredients. Dishes include a fattoush-inspired salad with vegetables, salmon with gremolata butter served with broccoli, and a Moroccan-style chicken bowl designed to be prepared in about 15 minutes.
Company frames meal kits as practical support
HelloFresh says its approach is based on the idea that food is one of the most immediate and practical tools available to people during winter, particularly when motivation is low.
“Food is one of the most practical ways to support yourself in winter because it’s something you can do today, even when motivation is low,” said James Griesser, head recipe developer at HelloFresh. “Fresh ingredients, simple routines, and meals built around foods like omega-3-rich fish, leafy greens, and lean proteins can help support mood and energy. Using a meal kit can also take some of the thinking out of dinner, which makes it easier to follow through when you’re tired.”
The company says meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards are intended to reduce barriers associated with planning and decision-making, which the survey suggests can contribute to skipped meals during winter.
Wellness goals shape consumer intentions
The survey also examined Canadians’ intentions around food and well-being. It found that 70 per cent of respondents say supporting mental or emotional well-being through better eating habits is a goal this year, with interest strongest among adults under 55.
HelloFresh says those findings indicate that many Canadians are looking to integrate food into broader self-care routines, particularly during winter evenings when energy and motivation may be lower.
The company positions its winter offerings as aligned with those stated goals, emphasizing meals that are designed to be quick to prepare while using fresh ingredients.
Company background
HelloFresh Canada was founded in February 2016. The company delivers meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards to customers across Canada. It offers several box options, including Quick and Easy, Family Friendly, and Veggie plans, and sources ingredients locally where possible.
The Blue Monday activation and survey findings are part of HelloFresh’s efforts to connect its meal kit service to seasonal consumer challenges identified in its research.
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