NEW YORK – EveryPlate, the budget-conscious meal kit subsidiary of HelloFresh, has reportedly stumbled upon a revolutionary cost-cutting measure: using vegetables instead of meat. The company, known for its affordable yet often carnivorous offerings, confirmed today that it had successfully integrated plant-based ingredients into its meal plans, much to the astonishment of its financial department.

“For years, we operated under the assumption that a meal wasn’t a 'meal' unless it involved some form of animal protein,” stated Brenda Finch, Head of Ingredient Procurement for EveryPlate. “It turns out, a bell pepper costs significantly less than a prime cut of beef. Who knew?” Finch added that the discovery was made during an internal audit aimed at identifying any untapped avenues for further nickel-and-diming customers.

Analysts are calling the move a 'paradigm shift' in the budget meal kit sector. “This could fundamentally alter how these companies approach their margins,” explained Dr. Alistair Crimp, a leading expert in processed food economics. “The idea that you could offer a 'meal' with, say, lentils, and still charge a premium for the convenience of not having to think, is truly disruptive.”

The company is now exploring other radical concepts, including the possibility that water might be a more cost-effective beverage than artisanal kombucha.