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A week ago, my brother in law phoned me asking for help to plan their weekly menu. My sister was out of town, and he wanted to step up and cook delicious and nutritious meals for their kids but didn’t know where to start.
Not to mention, he wasn’t able to just leave the kids to go to the supermarket. I realized a meal kit delivery service was exactly what he needed. If you’re in the same boat as my brother in law, here are two meal delivery services that promise organic, locally-sourced ingredients and healthful meals for the family.
Blue Apron
- Delivery Area: all states and cities in the US
- Average Price: about $10
- Shipping Cost: Free
- Meal Options: vegetarian, GMO-free, family-friendly, gluten-free, omnivore, hormone-free
- Popular Dishes: crispy cod and corn on the cob, lemon and black pepper shrimp, tuscan ribollita soup, mushroom and fennel fettuccine, fusilli con buco pasta
- Number of Meals per Week: three to four meals per week
- Free Trial: offers free trials on occasion.
- Meal Option Variety: there are eight meals to choose from per week
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Green Chef
- Delivery Area: all states and cities within the US except Hawaii, Alaska, and a few areas in Louisiana
- Average Price: nearly $14
- Shipping Cost: less than $10
- Meal Options: paleo, gluten-free, keto, vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, family-friendly, organic, kid-friendly
- Popular Dishes: chicken bruschetta pasta, tuna poke bowl, enchilada quesadilla, rosemary sirloin steak, shrimp fried rice
- Number of Meals per Week: three to four meals per week
- Free Trial: They does not offer free trials
- Meal Option Variety: there are four menus to choose from each week
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Summary: These companies cater to two vastly different client bases. If you’re looking for more traditional and familiar flavor profiles, I recommend looking into Blue Apron. On the other hand, Blue apron vs Green Chef would suit you better if you follow a strict diet and are open to trying out new, more creative dishes.
Meal Delivery Services Plans & Prices Compared
One of the questions I’m asked most often is, what do I need to consider when choosing a meal kit delivery service?
There are many things you need to think about like price, a number of meals delivered per week, but organic meal variety is one of the first things I like to consider.
My kids are picky eaters. So I like to look out for family and kid-friendly meal services. Green Chef and Blue Apron utilize different menu styles each week. Take a closer look at what their weekly menus are like:
Blue Apron gives you less variety on weekly meal choices compared to Green Chef. However, you have three meal plans to choose from, and you can choose to have up to four recipes delivered per week.
- Blue Apron gives you eight meal choices each week, no matter which plans you’re on.
- There are three plans to choose from Signature, Vegetarian, and Family.
- The weekly menu leans toward a more classic-style menu and features recipes that are less creative and simpler, yet are more familiar which makes it ideal for picky eaters.
- You can pair your meals with the Blue Apron wine subscription.
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Green Chef focuses on providing you different menus each week, depending on which plan you’re on. Each menu focuses on a specific diet, so you’re getting different meals with each plan.
- You can choose between the keto, flexible choice, plant-powered, and paleo plans.
- Each plan features different menu items each week.
- You cannot choose meals from other plans.
- The family plan is applicable to any of the above-mentioned plans.
Summary: While Green Chef looks like it offers more variety, their menu choices can feel limited. This is especially true if you want more vegetarian choices, but don’t want to commit to nearly a whole week of vegetarian dinners. In this regard, I recommend Blue Apron if you’re looking for better variety with your weekly meals and more familiar flavors. On the other hand, Green Chef is an ideal choice if you’re following a strict dietary lifestyle.
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Summary: While Green Chef looks like it offers more variety, their menu choices can feel limited. This is especially true if you want more vegetarian choices, but don’t want to commit to nearly a whole week of vegetarian dinners. In this regard, I recommend Blue Apron if you’re looking for better variety with your weekly meals and more familiar flavors. On the other hand, Green Chef is an ideal choice if you’re following a strict dietary lifestyle.
Plans & Prices Compared
Blue Apron offers two plan options.
By default, their plans are priced to deliver two meals for two or four people each week, depending on the plan you choose.
- Two-Person Plan – around $48
- Family Plan – around $72
You also have the option to upgrade your two-person plan, so you get three meals per week instead of two. On the other hand, their family-friendly and 2 person plans allows you to set up to four meals a week.
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GC relies on a per serving charge basis.
You have four meal plans to choose from that delivers three to four meals each week.
- Keto Plan – around $13 per serving
- Flexible Choice – roughly $12 per serving
- Plant Powered – about $12 per serving
- Paleo Plan – around $13 per serving
Their website is currently offering an $80 discount for your first four orders, which lowers the price range to around $7 to $11 per serving depending on your meal plan and number of servings.
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Both services deliver three to four meals each week. However, Blue Apron’s plans charge per project instead of per serving.
Best Menu Selection
- Blue Apron features less menu items per week compared to Green Chef. However, this can be considered a benefit if you’re not following a strict dietary lifestyle.
- Blue Apron allows you to choose from the same weekly menu as subscribers from other plans.
- Although Green Chef gives more variety at first glance, it can be difficult to commit to a single plan each week.
- Your meal options will be determined by your plan, which means if you want something strictly Keto one night, and not the other nights, and you might have to take your chances and hope that their Flexible Choice features a Keto item that week.
- The Green Chef menu is better suited for subscribers who are following a strict dietary lifestyle like Keto, Paleo, or strictly Vegan. Also, meal plans are suited well for single person.
Green Chef and Blue Apron tackle weekly menus differently. For example, BA releases a set weekly menu for all plans that they offer. On the other hand, GC curates weekly menus, depending on the plan you choose.
Summary: If you were to look at it strictly from a variety point of view, GC is the clear winner. Their menu styles that cater to different plans mean it’s more custom-tailored to your needs compared to Blue Apron’s single weekly menu offering. However, Blue Apron might suit your tastes more if you don’t project to stick to a specific diet.
Packaging
Blue Apron focuses on delivering well-organized boxes that are easy to unpack and store when needed. Their ingredients are guaranteed to remain fresh for as long as possible thanks to the convenient ice pack they include in each box as well.
- They focus on insulated packaging that is eco-friendly and recyclable.
- You always have the option to reuse the ice packs they include in each box. That said, you might eventually run out of space or uses for the ice packs once you have a certain amount. Blue Apron recommends emptying the contents of your ice pack and recycling the plastic bag it comes in.
Green Chef is focused not only on organic and fresh ingredients but in ecological conservation as well. True to their name, Green Chef utilizes green options for packaging and shipping your meal kits to you.
- Green Chef utilizes all recyclable boxes and packaging for your meal kits.
Summary: Both Green Chef and Blue Apron put an emphasis on being as conservative with packaging as possible. However, Green Chef is adamant about using all-recyclable material for their packaging. On the other hand, Blue Apron focuses on organization and sanitation. Their boxes come with an ice pack which is helpful but might seem excessive after a few boxes.
One of the biggest factors I try to consider is the packaging that my meal kits come in. I’m less likely to order frequently from services that utilize too much plastic or unnecessary packaging. It’s a good thing to note that both Blue Apron and Green Chef are conscious with the way they package their items.
It is important to keep in mind that it isn’t ideal to just throw in each ingredient in a cardboard box and hope for the best. Your ingredients need to stay fresh and maintain the highest sanitation standards when en route to you.
Summary: Both companies put an emphasis on being as conservative with packaging as possible. However, GC is adamant about using all-recyclable material for their packaging. On the other hand, BA focuses on organization and sanitation. Their boxes come with an ice pack which is helpful but might seem excessive after a few boxes.
Quality of Ingredients
- Blue Apron promises organic meat that comes from farms that specialize in raising organic, hormone, and additive-free farms.
- On the other hand, Green Chef is most known for its organic vegetables that are also locally-sourced from small farms.
Both Blue Apron and Green Chef put an emphasis on organic, locally-sourced ingredients from small, local farms.
While this may be an issue to some since smaller farms are less regulated, both companies maintain that the local farms they source their ingredients from follow the highest standards of organic food and focus on specialty ingredients.
Both companies source their produce and proteins from local farms that are good at what they do.
This means you’re not only supporting small businesses, but you’re also investing in healthy, all-organic food that is cruelty and guilt-free.
Summary: To put it simply, both companies offer organic and healthful ingredients. However, if you’re more concerned about your meat, BA is better known for their all-organic meat sourced from local farms that do not feed their animals hormones or any additives. On the other hand, Green Chef might be more your speed if you’re looking for vegetarian options since they specialize more in veggies and promise to deliver all organic vegetables.
Nutrition Facts & Taste
Blue Apron insists that their chefs and staff maintain a very healthy and close relationship with the owners of the farms they source their ingredients from. This guarantees you’re getting top-quality ingredients.
- Their chefs hand-pick their ingredients, which means you’re getting only the freshest produce and protein available.
- They work closely with experts to guarantee the highest nutritional value and balance in every meal.
Since Green Chef offers a variety of menus each week, they employ several chefs to specialize in each diet. This means each menu focuses on high nutritional standards that fit into your specific meal plan.
- They work closely with dieticians to guarantee the right nutritional value per meal for your specific meal plan.
- Their chefs are able to focus on certain dietary staples for each menu, which means they’re able to focus on the nutritional value of your meal.
While both Blue Apron and Green Chef source their ingredients from small farms that specialize in all-organic and premium ingredients, it’s also important to note that they take nutritional value seriously. Another factor worth considering is the fact that they consistently send out delicious food that you can easily customize at home to better suit your preferences.
Summary: While both meal kit companies employ strict nutritional standards with their food, their processes are quite different. Blue Apron is better suited for you if you’re not following a specific diet and would like to experience the fruit of your chef’s close relations with local farmers. On the other hand, if you want more emphasis on nutritional values for your particular diet, Green Chef’s menu variety allows their chefs to focus on your diet’s needs more specifically.
Number of Recipes (variety)
- Blue Apron offers more traditional meal kits. This makes them ideal if you’re looking for a service that doesn’t stray too far when it comes to choosing flavor profiles. Their meal choices are delicious and veer closer toward comfort food or familiar cooking.
- Blue Apron offers a weekly menu for all plans that include 8 meal options. You also have the option to pair it with their weekly wine subscription.
- Green Chef offers more variety when it comes to meal choices. However, if you’re not following a certain diet, it may feel a bit restricting. This is mostly because you’re not able to choose meals from other plans.
This meal kit delivery service offers a different weekly menu for each meal plan option. This means your meals are better focused on your specific plan.
Blue Apron and Green Chef cater to vastly differing clientele. While Blue Apron is able to deliver diet-specific meals at certain times, Green Chef is better able to meet your specific diet requirements thanks to their plans.
Summary: Both meal kit delivery services offer a weekly menu of meal choices. However, GC offers more options simply because each meal plan gets a different menu each week compared to Blue Apron that only has one weekly menu for all plans. But that doesn’t immediately mean that GC is better in this regard. BA offers several well-executed traditional meal options and is ideal if you’re looking for meals that are more familiar. On the other hand, GC is best suited for subscribers who want to be more adventurous with their meals. Green Chef’s menu offerings are rarely traditional and usually contain new dishes you most likely haven’t heard of before.
Signing Up And Canceling
Switching Plans – Blue Apron allows you to easily switch plans in between weeks without issues following your dietary preferences.
Canceling – unfortunately, if your order is marked as “processed,” you won’t be able to cancel it. However, you may choose to skip or cancel your delivery for the week.
Switching Plans – subscribers can choose to switch plans whenever they please. Not feeling your menu this week? Don’t worry; you can easily switch to a different meal plan to try their menu.
Cancelling – allows you to cancel your delivery or skip this week’s menu for any reason.
Signing up to either Blue Apron or Green Chef is an easy process and wouldn’t take you much time. Their meal plans are well-labeled and easy to understand, so it’s easy to choose which meal plan best suits you before you confirm your subscription and choose your meals for the week.
Alternatives
If you’re not fully convinced either Green Chef or Blue Apron’s services would work for you, there are a number of other alternatives you can try. Take two of my favorites, for example, Martha and Marley Spoon and Sunbasket.
This meal-delivery service is endorsed by Martha Stewart and promises classic, high-quality home-cooked dishes. It’s an ideal alternative for Blue Apron if you’re looking for a different service that still delivers traditional food that feels more familiar.
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Sun Basket offers two meal plan options. You can choose their meal kit delivery service which is similar to those discussed above and requires cooking at home, or you can opt for their ready to heat meals.
It’s better suited for you if you’re looking for more variety with your food, but aren’t convinced that Green Chef’s meal options are right for you.
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Why is Green Chef So Expensive?
Most of the time, the short answer to this question is, “Because the CEO wants to make a lot of money.” Otherwise, how could the prices be so high? On the other hand, there are a few reasons why the prices seem to be so high. First, Green Chef is one of only two private label meal kit providers. The other is Blue Apron. That means Green Chef has a competitive advantage in its market over its competitors, and it has been able to pass that advantage on to the consumer in two ways.
First, it has raised its prices. Second, it doesn’t offer a way to try the meal kit on a budget. That second point is also very important because if the meal kit is too expensive, people are going to go out of their way to find a cheaper one. By limiting the customer to just a few options, Green Chef is able to keep prices low for those customers who cannot afford it. A similar company that came out of nowhere to take a big share of the meal kit market is Chef’d.
Is Green Chef Actually Healthy?
The reality of organic or natural foods may be super frustrating for those who are trying to avoid all of the pesticides and chemicals. But the reality is that many of these products are far from natural and aren’t as healthy as the marketing can make them out to be. Check out this list of the foods you should absolutely stay away from if you want your children to be healthy: Pesticides. While organic foods are usually free from pesticide residues, produce sold in big chains may not be.
Flour Chef Blue Apron. When you’re baking your own bread, it’s a given that you should be using whole-grain flour, but if you’re making a loaf at the store, it’s easy to grab the white flour or enriched wheat flour. This is also the case with tortillas and pancakes, which contain a lot of flour.
Is Blue Apron Good for Weight Loss?
There are definitely benefits to eating more fruits and veggies in general, but have you ever wondered about one specific area? Experts say that while Blue Apron’s recipes contain good amounts of produce, they don’t necessarily match the recommended guidelines of serving size or the amount of produce each meal should have. A serving of vegetables should be the size of your palm or smaller and you should include vegetables in every meal,” says Fuse by Federica, a brand of healthy snacks and meal kits. If you do follow these guidelines, you’re good to go, says Fuse by Federica founder and CEO Federica Wharton. However, these steps are going to be difficult for most people—I typically cook a small serving of vegetables for myself in a jar.Why is Green Chef More Expensive Than HelloFresh?
Green Chef’s higher price compared to HelloFresh can be attributed to several factors, including the sourcing of ingredients, the focus on organic and sustainably-produced foods, and the complexity of recipes offered. Green Chef places a strong emphasis on providing organic and non-GMO ingredients, which typically come with higher production costs compared to conventionally grown or processed foods used by HelloFresh.
Sourcing organic ingredients involves rigorous certifications and standards, which can increase operational expenses for Green Chef. Additionally, the company prioritizes environmentally friendly practices, such as supporting local farms and reducing carbon footprints, which may further contribute to the higher price point.
Furthermore, Green Chef caters to specific dietary preferences, such as vegan, keto, and paleo, which require careful selection and preparation of specialized ingredients, often resulting in more intricate and costly recipes compared to HelloFresh’s broader range of options.
While both companies prioritize quality and customer satisfaction, Green Chef’s commitment to providing premium, eco-conscious, and specialized meal plans may justify its higher price for health-conscious consumers seeking organic and sustainable food choices. Ultimately, the decision between Green Chef and HelloFresh depends on individual dietary preferences, budget considerations, and personal values related to organic and sustainable eating habits.
Does Green Chef Save You Money?
Whether Green Chef saves you money depends on various factors, including your eating habits, shopping preferences, and dietary requirements. Green Chef’s meal kit service can offer potential cost savings for some individuals, but it may not be the most economical option for everyone.
While the per-meal cost of Green Chef’s subscription may seem higher than buying groceries from a traditional store, it’s essential to consider the value it provides. Green Chef delivers pre-portioned, high-quality, organic ingredients directly to your doorstep, eliminating the need for grocery shopping and reducing food waste. This convenience can be especially beneficial for those with busy lifestyles or limited access to specialty ingredients.
Moreover, by following Green Chef’s recipes, you’re likely to reduce the risk of overbuying and wasting food, which can add up over time when purchasing groceries from a store.
However, to determine whether Green Chef truly saves you money, it’s essential to compare the cost of the meal kit service to your current food expenses, including eating out, grocery shopping, and potential food waste. Additionally, consider the value of having chef-curated recipes and exploring unique, organic, and sustainable ingredients that you may not have discovered otherwise.
Ultimately, the decision to subscribe to Green Chef should be based on your individual financial situation, dietary preferences, and lifestyle factors, taking into account both the potential cost savings and the added convenience and culinary experience the service offers.
Green Chef vs Hello Fresh
Green Chef and Hello Fresh are two prominent players in the meal kit delivery service industry, each with distinct features that cater to different consumer preferences.
Green Chef stands out for its commitment to organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. From a scientific perspective, organic foods may offer higher nutrient content and be free from certain pesticides. The emphasis on sustainability aligns with environmental considerations, contributing to the reduction of chemical inputs and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices. However, it’s important to note that the use of organic ingredients often comes with a higher cost, influencing the overall pricing of Green Chef.
Hello Fresh, on the other hand, prioritizes a diverse and broad menu, offering a wide range of recipes to cater to various tastes and preferences. This approach aligns with the scientific understanding of individual nutritional needs, recognizing the variability in dietary requirements. Hello Fresh aims to provide flexibility by accommodating different culinary preferences and dietary restrictions, contributing to a more personalized meal experience.
Comparing the two services from a nutritional standpoint, both Green Chef and Hello Fresh adhere to principles of balanced and portion-controlled meals. The pre-portioned ingredients in meal kits contribute to portion control, aiding in calorie management and promoting healthier eating habits. Both services also aim to minimize food waste by providing exact amounts of ingredients required for each recipe.
In terms of cost, Hello Fresh tends to be positioned as a more budget-friendly option compared to Green Chef. The pricing structure reflects the variety and scale of the Hello Fresh menu, providing a range of options at different price points.
Ultimately, the choice between Green Chef and Hello Fresh depends on individual priorities. Green Chef appeals to those seeking organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, while Hello Fresh caters to a broader audience with its diverse menu options and budget-friendly approach. The decision hinges on factors such as dietary preferences, environmental considerations, and budget constraints.
Is Green Chef Made by HelloFresh?
Yes, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, one of the leading meal kit delivery companies globally. The acquisition of Green Chef by HelloFresh occurred in March 2018, expanding HelloFresh’s presence in the meal kit market and diversifying its offerings to cater to a broader range of dietary preferences and lifestyles.
Green Chef maintains its distinct brand identity and continues to operate as a separate entity under the HelloFresh umbrella. Despite being owned by HelloFresh, Green Chef operates independently, with its own unique menu options, recipes, and sourcing practices.
The acquisition of Green Chef aligns with HelloFresh’s strategic goal of providing customers with a variety of meal solutions tailored to different dietary needs and preferences. Green Chef specializes in organic, sustainable, and diverse meal options, including plans for various dietary preferences such as keto, paleo, vegan, and gluten-free.
By acquiring Green Chef, HelloFresh expands its market reach and strengthens its position as a leader in the meal kit industry. The acquisition also allows HelloFresh to leverage Green Chef’s expertise in sourcing high-quality organic ingredients and catering to specific dietary requirements, further enhancing its competitive advantage in the market.
Despite being under the same corporate umbrella, HelloFresh and Green Chef operate as distinct brands, each with its own unique value proposition and target audience. While HelloFresh focuses on providing convenient and diverse meal options for busy individuals and families, Green Chef appeals to customers seeking organic, sustainable, and specialized meal solutions.
Overall, the acquisition of Green Chef by HelloFresh demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation and catering to evolving consumer preferences in the meal kit industry. Through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, HelloFresh continues to expand its product offerings and solidify its position as a leader in the rapidly growing market for meal kit delivery services.
What Service Is the Best?
Overall, the best service is determined by your preferences. If you value traditional, home-cooked food and aren’t particularly restricted in your diet, Blue Apron gives you a good variety of classic meals to choose from on their weekly menu.
What’s more, they take pride in partnering with local animal farms that guarantee hormone and additive-free meat.
On the other hand, following the review, if you value higher nutritional standards and all-organic vegetables, Green Chef is a good choice as well.
Their various weekly menus that cater to specific meal plans make it ideal for anyone who wants to focus on nutrition dictated by strict dietary lifestyles such as Keto and Paleo.
