Getting in shape and eating healthy are likely high on the list of New Year’s resolutions for residents throughout the Riverwards. However, preparing healthy meals day in and day out isn’t always easy. If you find yourself in a pinch for a meal and want a quick option that won’t ruin your latest workout, check out Snap Kitchen’s new location at 1325 Frankford Ave.

  Opened in October, the Fishtown storefront is one of seven Snap Kitchen locations to open in the Philadelphia area over the past year. Snap Kitchen was founded in Austin, Texas back in 2010. The quickly expanding chain specializes in healthy, balanced, heat-and-eat meals for health-conscious, on-the-go consumers.

  The Philly locations represent the company’s first foray into the Northeast market. Beth Lawrence, Northeast Marketing Manager for Snap Kitchen, explained the company’s rationale for choosing Philadelphia as their first major market on the East Coast.

  “Philadelphia was chosen as an East Coast hub because we have some connections with our [organization] to Philadelphia and everyone knows what a great food city this is — how people are passionate about food here and about health,” she said.

  According to Lawrence, once Philly was identified as an area for expansion, a Fishtown location was a natural fit. “With Fishtown, especially, we saw a neighborhood that really has it all. It has a lot of residential parts of it, obviously, with lots of young professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and families… as well as places where people work… two things we really look for,” Lawrence said.

  The Snap Kitchen concept is centered on a true grab and go lifestyle. All of Snap’s meals are pre-packaged and ready to eat. Customers can heat up their meals on location or at their home or office in a microwave or conventional oven. Meals come in three sizes — small, medium, and large — and nutritional and calorie information is prominently displayed, so there’s no guesswork when it comes to meal planning.

  Meals range in price from about $6 for some smaller dishes to $15 for some of the larger options. Whether you’re vegan, pescatarian, vegetarian, or paleo, there are options for every lifestyle and palate. In addition, all of Snap’s meals are naturally gluten free. Snap also offers smaller snacks a full line of juices, blends, and shakes, most for around $5 or $6 a pop.

  Aside from nutrition and price, what really separates Snap Kitchen from traditional “fast food” is a focus on freshness. Meals for all of the Philadelphia area stores are prepared from scratch daily at a central, 8,600 square-foot commissary kitchen in Kensington at the corner of I and Ontario Streets.

  “We’ve created about 70 jobs in that area,” Lawrence said. “It’s really great, because not only are we able to produce really healthy food from scratch every day, but we’re able to bring jobs in and kind of be part of the revitalization of the Kensington neighborhood.”

  That dedication to the local community extends into some of Snap’s charitable efforts as well. Snap Kitchen works with Philabundence and other organizations to get excess food to those in need throughout Philadelphia, so that food waste is kept to a minimum.

  “When Philabundence and organizations can’t pick up every day in Fishtown, we donate to the Lutheran Settlement House, which is right across the street. It’s really great because we have the opportunity to give the health food experience not only to the guests that are able to come into our stores, but to the surrounding neighborhoods and those who may not be able to come into our shops,” said Lawrence.

  By all accounts, Snap Kitchen is fitting in nicely in Fishtown. A Monday evening visit revealed a steady stream of customers — many in workout clothes — perusing shelves full of meals like Veggie Lasagna, Sweet Chile Glazed Salmon and Coconut Beef Curry. According to Lawrence, the reaction from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

  “People have really welcomed us with open arms. It’s really great being right there on Frankford Ave, where a lot of people are either walking to the El in the morning or from the El at night or they’re going to La Colombe or one of the other great businesses around there. It’s just a really natural fit in the area,” she said.

  With Snap’s presence firmly in Philly, the next step is making access to healthy eating even easier for customers. In mid-January, Philadelphians will be able to download the Snap Kitchen smartphone app, where they’ll be able to order and pay for meals ahead of time, streamlining the in-store pickup process. According to Lawrence, delivery may be soon available through the app as well, ensuring that we’ll all have one less excuse for breaking that New Year’s resolution to eat healthier.  •