CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - MealPro, a meal prep service that specializes in healthy meals made with natural ingredients, opened recently in Citrus Heights, giving hungry customers a healthy, customizable eat-at-home option, with no cooking required.

Whether you’re a marathoner, a busy professional, or a parent looking to get more out of your time - MealPro's customizable menu options make it easy to get “optimal nutrition, without the fuss of cooking.”

The Sacramento-based company, adjacent to Bubba’s Car Wash and across the street from the 99 Cents Only Store, occupies 5,000 square feet in the site of the former Lucky Derby Casino Restaurant at 7433 Greenback Lane in Suite A.

Andy Sartori, founder and CEO said MealPro, which cites Blue Apron and Hello Fresh among similar industry competitors, has made quick use of the former casino/restaurant’s complete kitchen, ovens and food preparation areas, and now ships between 900 to 1,500 individual meals to a growing base of customers locally and regionally each day.

“We’re focused on creating a custom approach to nutrition, the kind that helps athletes perform, and busy professionals stay healthy. We want to make custom nutrition affordable and accessible to everyone – everywhere,” Sartori said. “We believe our best work can make a sustainable, positive impact in people's lives.”

Unlike other meal prep delivery services, MealPro has no fixed menu.

“Customers are free to pick the meals they prefer from a rotating menu and can decide if they want extra protein, no carbs, more veggies,” Sartori said. “It’s up to what they prefer.”

Sartori, a University of Santa Cruz business graduate, said his company began in 2016 as a private Sacramento label food delivery company. As demand steadily grew, he went looking for a space with a commercial kitchen facility, and found an ideal location on Greenback Lane.

Customers who order through their web site at www.mealpro.net/ can choose from the a la carte menu or customize their individual meals by changing ingredients or adjusting portion sizes, Sartori said.

Priced from under $7.99 to $12.99, MealPro’s pre-cooked meals are made fresh daily. Primary protein includes turkey, chicken lean beef and shrimp. Their website features a pull-down menu which provides an accurate nutritional analysis count of protein, calories, trans fats and carbohydrates per dish. Sample dishes include Cuban-style, roasted or grilled chicken, sizzling steak, beef meatballs or a turkey and veggie plate.

Want extra carbs, more protein, or a larger portion size? Just select and go.

Meals are made fresh daily using natural ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible. Meals are plated in a microwave-safe food container and are locally delivered by United Parcel Service (UPS) trucks in a special thermal box and each individual meal is vacuum-sealed to retain freshness, he said.

No cooking or prep work is required, Sartori said, as individual meals arrive already cooked, ready to be enjoyed. Customers just heat and serve.

“Our meals are based on what’s best for the customer, whether that’s a senior with a special dietary requirement looking for a high-quality, delicious low sodium or cholesterol meal, or the triathlete, who prefers a specialized daily menu plan,” Sartori said.

Customers can decide if they want a one-time meal box delivery, or deliveries on a recurring basis. At checkout, its computer system generates a customer account, and the customer can then opt in to recurring orders.

“It takes about a minute from when the meal order is placed by the customer to be placed in the queue for preparation,” Sartori said. “The customer can then decide if they want a single meal box delivered at a time, or delivery on a recurring basis.”

MealPro employs a current staff of 10, but is looking to hire multiple positions for its new Citrus Heights facility, including sous chef, relief cook, meal prep artist, food technologist, recipe developer and specialty line cooks as customer demand increases, he said.

At checkout, MealPro’s computer system generates a customer account, and the customer can then opt in to recurring orders to earn rewards points for every purchase. Rewards points can be redeemed for free future meals.

For local member subscribers, meals arrive on their scheduled delivery day. MealPro also ships throughout the U.S. and Canadian British Columbia with delivery taking 2-4 days per the time zone of the customer’s address.

MealPro meals can be delivered to the customer’s home or office. Sartori said its general menu will change seasonly, but it will always offer its customers variety, freshness and deliciousness, he said.

Visit MealPro at www.mealpro.net/ or call 844-463-2577 to learn more about current menu options and order package plans.