Marci Buttars and Maegan McFarlane started their instant freezer meal venture in March 2019. And, even though COVID-19 tried to get in the way, the two sisters made headway in March 2022. They opened InstaFreeze Meals in the Woods Cross Shopping Center almost two full years to the day they were forced to close.

Buttars and McFarlane started the business as a way to bring families back to the dinner table. “We are here to reclaim family dinner!” states their website www.instafreezemeals.com. “We provide instant pot freezer meals that will melt the dinner time stress away.”

The sisters started the idea by combining their two passions. Buttars had a food blog and McFarlane was making ready-to-cook freezer meals. After both sisters started their own families, they understood the issues parents had when it came time to feeding their families.

“We have a soft spot for mamas,” said McFarlane. “We want to give them the rest that they need while still keeping their families fed with wholesome meals.”

InstaFreeze Meals specializes in healthy and flavorful meals that are ready to cook in any instant pot. With about 25 pre-made meals to choose from, they have a plan for everyone and every budget. The meals change as the seasons change, with their winter meals starting in December. One of the best-selling meals is their butter chicken.

“Our menu features home-cooked, comfort food,” said Amanda Anderson, the marketing manager for InstaFreeze Meals.

“We understand the struggles and stresses of being a mom,” said McFarlane. She explained that these instant meals are easy to put into an instant pot and have dinner ready quickly. “We fight for families to spend quality time together.”

Even though InstaFreeze Meals started in the Kaysville Smith’s Deli department as a class people could take to make their own meals, it is now a storefront. InstaFreeze Meals still offers these classes, as well as parties and other events where people can meet up to make these frozen meals.

“Food has a way of healing your soul,” said McFarlane. “Have you ever had a bad day, and your neighbor brings you dinner? Our food has a way of connecting and healing people.”

“And everybody eats,” added Anderson. InstaFreeze Meals offers three-four and six-eight serving-size meals, and most are gluten-free. Recipes are rotated monthly and seasonally and can be adjusted to meet individual needs.

“They also make a great gift for someone who has everything,” said McFarlane. Each meal is preassembled so that anyone can purchase them from the store. Cooking instructions are provided with each freezer meal, so there will never be a problem with heating them.

InstaFreeze Meals is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Sundays. The shop even offers its menu as available for delivery. They are located at 2453 S. Wildcat Way, Suite E, in Woods Cross.