FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

What is Good Batch Mama?

Perhaps a better question is, "Who is Good Batch Mama?" We are a family-owned and operated company that believes that intentional time with those you care about is some of the most precious time in the world. Because of this belief, we seek to serve other families in our service areas by providing a convenient route back around the dinner table together. Our food is designed to capture the same delicious taste and quality of a homemade meal without the hours of prep and cleanup, making it easier for your busy family to gather together and share great food and life.  

OUR STORY

Where are you located?

We are located at 3428 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport, Tennessee.  However, while we may call Kingsport home, we happily serve well beyond the city limits, offering home delivery to people in the greater Tri-Cities region each Friday!

Do you cater events and weddings?

We sure do!  We are proud to offer many of our most popular items as catering options, along with so much more.  Whether you are looking for food for your next house party, need to cater an office meeting, or have a wedding on the horizon, we would love to help make your vision a reality.  

learn more

I'm allergic to ______, how can I be sure my food is safe?

We take the needs of our customers very seriously and will work to meet yours if we can! All of our staff has been trained in proper food handling procedures to best avoid cross-contamination, and each item is labeled with it's relevant nutritional and dietary information for easy validation.  However, while we do our best to avoid allergen cross-contamination, we do process peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, shellfish, and other common allergens in our facilities, so we cannot assume liability for any adverse reactions to food prepared or delivered by Good Batch Mama. Additionally, we are not responsible for any cross-contamination that occurs once your package is in transit, though we do package everything to help prevent such cases.

When can I expect my meals?

When you check out in our online store, you will be given the choice of a few time slots to pick from to confirm your availability on the Friday of your delivery.  Once you have completed your order, we will take this information, add you to our delivery route, and text you a 30-minute window within which we plan to deliver.  Every now and then, we will run a little early or late, as traffic and weather dictate, but we will do our best to arrive with your food during that gap!  

 

For the best use of this delivery process, make sure you use a cell phone number at checkout!  

 

Important Note:

By providing us with a phone number and completing your purchase with us, you agree to be contacted via a call and/or text, primarily to communicate delivery details and confirm drop-offs.  Don't worry; we don't text marketing or spam to you.  We do our best to limit our texted communications to important questions and delivery information.

Do you sell gift cards?

Absolutely!  You can purchase a gift card for whoever is on your mind in our online store.  Increments are customizable, so no matter the need, we can facilitate your gift.  Once you have completed the purchase, you will receive an email containing your unique code that can be sent to your intended recipient.

 

Important Note: As you check out with your gift card, our website will still ask you to select a pickup or delivery date/time.  It does this because it still thinks you are buying a physical product from us.  However, once you have checked out and paid for your order, you will get an email containing the code immediately, so it doesn't matter what choice you make for the delivery/pickup prompt.  If you have completed your order and paid but do not see your gift certificate email arrive, check your "Junk" or "Spam" email folder. 

BUY GIFT CARD

ORDERING

How do I place my order?

All orders are placed online, right here on our website.  Our menu is live 24/7, so you can shop and purchase when it works for you!  Simply add your desired items to your cart, selected your preferred delivery/pickup date, and checkout, like you would at any other store.  We'll get to work preparing your food, and in no time at all, it will be at your doorstep!

ORDER NOW

When do I order? Are there cutoff times each week?

We deliver to the Tri-Cities region every Friday!  Our weekly order cutoff is Monday at midnight, and all orders that come in before that time can be delivered on Friday of the same week.  You can also pick up at our location on Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM or Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.  However, our store is always open online, so if you miss the Monday evening cutoff, you can still place an order for delivery the next Friday or pick up the following Thursday/Friday!

What if I miss the cutoff time for the next delivery date? Can you still squeeze me in?

We always strive to put you and your needs first, so to provide you with the highest quality food possible, we make all items to order each week.  Because of this, we cannot accept late orders for Friday delivery.  However, we do keep a small number of our best sellers in stock at our shop in Kingsport, so if you find yourself in a bind and want to pick up one of your favorites, you are always welcome to stop by and see what we have available!

Can I order food for a friend?

Of course! This is actually one of our favorite ways you all use our meals. If you have someone you would like to send some food to, simply put their name, address, and contact information into the "Shipping Address" section, and we will send it directly to them. You can also add a personalized note at checkout! Just make sure you let them know we're coming so they can safely bring their food inside before the temperature rises!

 

We also offer convenient eGift Cards that you can add a personalized note to and send to a friend or family member. This is great for those moments when you want to help but don't know the preferences or dietary needs of your intended recipient!

Is there a minimum or maximum order amount?

Nope!  We have some customers who stock up for a whole month at once and others who prefer to shop for just their favorite items, and we are happy to serve you either way.  As long as you are within our service area, we will make sure you get your food!

Can I walk in and buy food?

Yes, you can!  We always have a few things in stock that we are happy to sell you if you drop in to say hello.  However, we cannot guarantee that we will have what you are looking for, so you will have to come in and see what is available to pick up (or you can call ahead to check)!  Our hours for walk-in purchases are Monday to Wednesday, 8 AM to 4 PM, and Thursday to Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.

FROZEN MEALS

How many people does a meal feed?

We offer a variety of sizes to help meet the broad needs of families in our community! Our small size is portioned for 1 person, our medium will feed 2-3 people, and the large size feeds 4-6. So, no matter how many mouths you have to feed (don't forget to count yourself!), you have a choice to meet that need! The diagram of each pan size below will help you visualize and plan your storage needs, as well.

NOTE:  For some items, such as our crab cakes or burritos, we use a standard count to determine the sizes. In such cases, details for the portion sizes of an item are included in the descriptions on their product pages.

Does the menu change?

Yes, it does!  We try to make sure we add new options to the menu as often as possible, so you can typically expect to see a few things coming and going every week or two, with a bigger change (such as a brand new meal) happening about once every four to six weeks.  Our menu will turn over on Tuesday morning following the completion of the most recent order cycle (which ends at midnight on Monday), so be sure to check back for a new item or the return of an old favorite! 

Is all the food delivered frozen?

Pretty much, yes!  While we do rarely offer something like a baked good or cold salad that would not be, most meals are frozen for delivery.

 

Here's the thing - we think this is part of what makes our meals work at the speed of real life! Refrigerated food can be awesome, but after a few days, you're on the clock. "Use it or lose it!"  We want to free you from this pressure and replace it with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have delicious, scratch-made meals in your freezer, ready to meet you when you need them.  That ability to plan your meals AND be ready for the chaos of life is the magic that makes Good Batch Mama so valuable to family life in the modern world! 

How long does my food need to cook?

Great question! There is no single, standard answer to how long our items need to cook, as cook times vary for each dish.  However, every meal ordered from Good Batch Mama has a convenient label on the packaging that includes easy-to-understand cooking instructions, including the estimated cook time needed and guidance on how to tell when your food is ready. Our goal is to make your dinner prep as approachable as possible, so many of them are essentially as simple as "bake and serve," but you get a delicious, homemade meal on the other side of it!

 

Pro Tip:  Toss a family favorite into the fridge on Monday and thaw it for the week ahead. Things cook a lot faster when thawed, so your emergency meal will be ready that much faster when you're in a pinch! Worst case scenario, you can plan to use it over the weekend.

 

For an example of one such label, click to see the example below.

see example

Can I request changes/substitutions to my food?

Our goal is always to accommodate our customers whenever possible, so we will do our best to fulfill any special requests!  However, we do handle these on a case-by-case basis, so there are some requests we may not be able to take care of and others that may result in an increased price for the altered item.  If there is a change you have in mind, just let us know, and we will see what we can do!

What if I'm not satisfied with my food?

Serving our customers delicious food that sparks joy is our utmost priority, and if you are not satisfied with your food for any reason, please let us know. We offer all customers a satisfaction guarantee and will work with you to make sure we make it right if something is not up to par!

CONTACT US

How long is my food safe to store? Frozen vs. thawed?

Assuming that the packaging is intact and your meal hasn't been thawed and refrozen, we recommend a safe shelf life of 3 months for our frozen meals! Once a meal is thawed (or being stored as leftovers), we typically recommend cooking and eating it within 4 to 6 days.  If you have any questions about safe food handling, please reach out to us at palmetto@goodbatchmama.com!

I'm allergic to _____, how can I be sure my food is safe?

We take the needs of our customers very seriously and will work to meet yours if we can! All of our staff has been trained in proper food handling procedures to best avoid cross-contamination, and each item is labeled with it's relevant nutritional and dietary information for easy validation.  However, while we do our best to avoid allergen cross-contamination, we do process peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, shellfish, and other common allergens in our facilities, so we cannot assume liability for any adverse reactions to food prepared or delivered by Good Batch Mama. Additionally, we are not responsible for any cross-contamination that occurs once your package is in transit, though we do package everything to help prevent such cases.

DELIVERY

What is your delivery service area?

We deliver to the greater Tri-Cities region, including Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, and some of the areas in between. If you are not sure about home delivery, we encourage you to reach out and ask! We can also deliver to workplaces as they allow, so if your home is beyond our delivery range, but work is in town, we can make that work too.  In the event we cannot find a place to deliver your food, you are always welcome to come pick it up from us as well!

Can I pick up my meals?

You sure can!  We offer pickup at our location at 3428 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport each week on Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM, on Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and by appointment on other days. Stop in, say hello, and leave with some great food - we would love to see you!

Do I need to tip my delivery driver?

That's totally up to you!  Drivers are paid for their time, so anything you offer is icing on the cake and is greatly appreciated.

What time can I expect my meals?

When you check out in our online store, you will be given the choice of a few time slots to pick from to confirm your availability on the Friday of your delivery.  Once you have completed your order, we will take this information, add you to our delivery route, and text you a 30-minute window within which we plan to deliver.  Every now and then, we will run a little early or late, as traffic and weather dictate, but we will do our best to arrive with your food during that gap!  

 

For the best use of this delivery process, make sure you use a cell phone number at checkout!  

 

Important Note:

By providing us with a phone number and completing your purchase with us, you agree to be contacted via a call and/or text, primarily to communicate delivery details and confirm drop-offs.  Don't worry; we don't text marketing or spam to you.  We do our best to limit our texted communications to important questions and delivery information.

Should my food go directly into the freezer?

Generally, yes! We've designed our meals to stay frozen to provide you with as much flexibility as possible, and your meal quality is always best when it is not being thawed and re-frozen time and again. It is our recommendation that you thaw food only as you plan to eat it, setting it out in the fridge 24 to 48 hours before your planned meal. Of course, pretty much everything can be cooked from frozen; it just takes longer!

Do I need to be home to accept my delivery?

We get this question a lot!  Because we work with you to schedule your delivery in a time window that you pick, we ask that someone be home to receive your food.  However, we understand that life happens, so if you have to run out and give us permission to drop your food at your door (or in some other specified location, such as a freezer in a garage), we will do so!  Just make sure to let us know you are agreeable to a blind drop, or we will take your food back to our shop, and you will have to come pick it up.

Catering

How much does your catering cost?

We work with every client to personalize your menu to be a unique reflection of you or your event, offering a truly customizable experience to all potential clients.  However, this means our pricing is specific to each job, so it is hard for us to answer this question with a simple, one-size-fits-all answer.  Once we find a starting point, menu theme, or personality you would like to build around, we will put together your custom quote and get to work making your vision a reality!  We keep you in the loop every step of the way, so if you have any questions or concerns (about the food, price, or otherwise), we are happy to help and will work with you to find an arrangement that is great for everyone.

LET'S GET STARTED

What size events do you cater?

We have catered events of all shapes and sizes, including small house parties, large weddings, company-wide corporate events, and virtually everything in between.  So, if you are looking for some great food for any event, odds are we can make it happen if you give us a call!

What service levels do you provide?

Full Service Buffet (our most popular service level):We will set up and serve a buffet line for your guests to come through. Once served, we will also break down and clean up the food service area and package your leftovers before we depart.

 

Plated Service (service to table):We will plate and serve food to tables for your guests to enjoy without needing to visit a buffet line. Once the meal has been served, we will work back through and clear tables. We will also clean the food service area and package your leftovers before we depart.

 

“Hover” Service:We will set up a buffet line or grazing table for guests to serve themselves from, with our staff on site to help maintain/replenish as needed. Once the meal has been served, we will also break down and clean up the food service area and package your leftovers before we depart.

 

Drop-off Service:We will drop off and set up a self-serve buffet line using disposable utensils and disposable serving dishes. Once setup is complete, we will depart. All leftover food is yours, and the pans and serving utensils are yours to keep or dispose of as you wish.

 

Cocktail Hours, Grazing Tables, & Specialty Desserts:We are happy to discuss the addition of a grazing table, charcuteries spreads, or specialty desserts to your event, so make sure to ask about these as well! We can work with you to bring your vision to life in some way with all of our service levels. 

 

*NOTE: Hybrid and custom service styles and have been utilized in the past, such as family style or food station services. If you have a unique vision for how you would like your food served, just let us know!

Can you accommodate dietary needs/special requests?

In many cases, the answer to this question is, "Yes!"  In some extreme cases, we may not be the best fit, but for most common requests (non-celiac gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.), we are happy to facilitate food that fits these needs. 

 

Important note:  We do process peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, shellfish, and other common allergens in our facilities, so we cannot assume liability for any adverse reactions to food prepared or delivered by Good Batch Mama.

Do you make desserts?

We make some really awesome desserts, but we do not make traditional wedding cakes or cupcakes (though we do have some good recommendations if that is what you are looking for).  However, if you want to go a less traditional path, we are happy to help satisfy every sweet tooth in attendance!

Can you serve alcohol at my event?

Currently, we cannot offer bartending services because we don't have the licensing and permits required to serve alcohol at events.  However, if you have someone else handling this part of your day, we can easily work around them, and we are happy to pass along a favorite recommendation!

Do you have staff to serve big events?

We sure do!  We've got great people who love serving as much as we do.  The size of our team will match the needs of your event so that every detail is taken care of.  Our goal is always to ensure that the food for your event is effortless, allowing you to freely enjoy the day!

 

We are also happy to explore different service levels pending your needs for the day.  While a full-service buffet is our most common service level, we are happy to explore other options, including plated or family-style presentations.

How far in advance should I reach out?

Dates get booked up quickly each year, so sooner is always better, especially for big events.  However, we are always happy to help if we are available!  We have booked some weddings that are weeks away and others that are much further out, so we encourage everyone to give us a call, no matter what stage you are in.

What is your cancellation policy?

We try to be as flexible with clients as possible because we understand that even the best-laid plans are subject to the uncertainty of life. Our contracts do have a cancellation policy outlined in them that increases as your date approaches, but these policies are not in full effect until a set amount of time before your event. In the event of a requested date change, we will do everything we can to adjust with you, though we cannot guarantee our availability. 

learn more about catering