US confectioner Hershey and its California-based chocolate maker, Scharffen Berger, are entering the online meal kit market in partnership with web-based retailer Chef’d, in what the firms said is a first for branded desserts.

Chef’d said the move offers the opportunity of buying desserts kits from Hershey’s Kitchens and the Scharffen Berger brand online.

Hershey’s e-commerce and emerging channels manager Carrie Lathrop said: “We’re pleased to partner with Chef’d to be the first to bring branded desserts to the meal kit market. The rise of the meal kit market is undeniable – boxes provide unprecedented convenience while maintaining the engaging experience of home baking.”

Chef’d founder and CEO Kyle Ransford said Hershey’s decision was “trend setting… and we think others are going to follow”.

Citing data from US investment bank Piper Jaffray published in June, Chef’d said the home meal kit market is “expected to grow to US$36bn over the next ten years”. It added the partnership with Hershey “provides a new and innovative distribution channel” for the confectioner’s portfolio of brands “that aligns with the shifting ways in which people shop and cook”.

Hershey’s Kitchens and Scharffen Berger Brand dessert meal kits can also be ordered on HersheysKitchens.com and Scharffenberger.com without the need for a subscription or membership fees. Recipes can be ordered as “standalone offerings or in conjunction with any Chef’d meal”, Chef’d said. Recipes include Hershey’s Kitchens’ S’mores Cookies, Hershey’s Kitchens’ Red Velvet Cream Cheese Squares, Scharffen Berger’s Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Torte and Scharffen Berger’s Unbelievable Fudgy Brownies.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.