The 6 Most Organic Meal Delivery Services for 2021

 

The 6 Most Organic Meal Delivery Services for 2021

 

 

 

Frontmatter

·         Organic foods are produced according to strict standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (1).

·         As part of these standards, these foods must be grown or raised without the use of hormones, antibiotics, artificial chemicals, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (1, 2).

·         Some people may prefer to purchase organic foods because organic farming practices tend to be more environmentally friendly and result in reduced levels of pesticide residues on crops like fruits, vegetables, and grains (3, 4, 5).

·         Furthermore, organic foods, including produce, dairy, and meats may be more nutritious than their non-organic counterparts (5, 6, 7).

·         The meal delivery services in this article were selected based on the following criteria: Best gluten-free

·         Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic company, meaning that all of its ingredients are certified organic unless they’re labeled otherwise.

·         When organic ingredients are unavailable, Green Chef focuses on buying high-quality foods that are sustainably sourced. However, the service doesn’t provide specific information on where these non-organic ingredients are sourced from.

·         The company was also the first national meal delivery service to receive Gluten-Free Food Service certification through the Gluten-Free Intolerance Group (GIG).

·         Specifically, three of Green Chef’s menus have been certified gluten-free, including their gluten-free, paleo, and keto plans.

·         As a result, unlike other companies that simply offer gluten-free options, Green Chef gluten-free meals are produced according to rigorous standards that control for potential gluten cross-contamination at every step, from sourcing to preparing to packaging.

·         In addition to the meals mentioned above, Green Chef offers three additional plans — a family plan, plant-powered plan, and balanced living plan. All of these come with premeasured, mostly organic ingredients.

·         The menu from which you select your meals changes weekly and each weekly box comes with three meals that can feed up to six adults, depending on the number of servings you select.

·         You also have the choice to receive weekly, biweekly, or monthly deliveries and you can pause or cancel your subscriptions at any time.

·         Meal kits are packaged using all recyclable or compostable materials.

·         Pricing

·         Green Chef costs $10.99–$12.99 per meal depending on the plan you choose and the number of servings your box contains.

 

Best vegetarian

 

·         Sun Basket provides dietitian- and chef-crafted meals made with high quality, sustainable ingredients.

·         The company estimates that 99% of the produce used is organic, along with all of the milk, yogurt, eggs, and tofu found in the kits. Organic meat and poultry are also available for select recipes.

·         While not always organic, the company focuses on sourcing humanely raised meat and poultry, as well as wild-caught or sustainably farmed seafood.

·         Sun Basket offers numerous menu options to fit a variety of specialty diets. It’s particularly a good option for those following a vegetarian diet, as there’s a good variety of vegetarian recipes to choose from each week.

·         There are also optional vegetarian and vegan add-ons, such as breakfast items, preprepared lunches, plant-based proteins like tofu and Impossible Burger “meat,” and snack items like raw vegetables and dips.

·         Sun Basket also offers a pescatarian menu plan for those who include fish in their diet.

·         When ordering, you can filter the menu choices by allergen, diet type, cooking time, and calories to make meal selection even easier. You also have the option to choose your preferred delivery day.

·         Meal kits arrive in recyclable and compostable packaging. However, some ingredients may come in plastic bags or containers that are not recyclable, depending on your location.

·         Sun Basket pricing is similar to Green Chef, at $10.99–$12.99 per serving depending on your meal plan and the number of servings ordered.

·         There’s also a flat-rate $7.99 delivery fee after your first box.

Best vegan

·         Originally a smoothie delivery service, Daily Harvest now offers a variety of frozen, plant-based meals for every time of day.

·         While the service uses some conventional produce, approximately 95% is organic. In particular, the company prioritizes sourcing organic for any products on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list.

Best for kids

 

·         Originally founded as a baby food company, offering purées suitable for ages 4 months to 1 year, Little Spoon has since expanded to include finger foods, toddler meals, and entrées for kids up to age 10.

·         All of Little Spoon’s baby foods are USDA-certified organic. The service’s plates for older kids include mostly organic produce, as well as meat and eggs that are humanely raised and antibiotic- and hormone-free.

·         In addition to providing over 80 organic, non-GMO ingredients, meals are free of preservatives and additives.

·         A little Spoon is also a good option for children with food allergies, as all of the baby foods, are free of the top eight allergens and produced in a kitchen with strict protocols to avoid cross contamination.

·         While most toddler and kid meals are also free of major allergens, items that contain allergens are clearly labeled and you can filter menu options by the allergen.

·         During initial sign-up, you complete a detailed questionnaire that’s used to create personalized menus selected by nutritionists and pediatricians to best fit the nutritional needs and the developmental stage of your child.

·         Meals are delivered every 2 weeks and arrive in recyclable containers, with the majority of food packaging items being fully recyclable. Plates used for toddler and older kid meals are reusable and dishwasher safe.

·         You can choose subscriptions with one, two, or three meals a day. Prices start at $2.74 per meal for baby food and $4.99 per meal for toddler and older kid plates.

·         There’s also a flat-rate shipping fee of $5 for all baby food orders and $6 for all plates.

·         One Potato provides organic meal kits specifically designed for families.

·         All of the protein and produce used in One Potato’s meals are certified organic and sourced from local farms and vendors. The company also prioritizes using seasonal ingredients in its weekly rotating menus.

·         One Potato differs from other meal delivery services in that it offers specific kid-friendly portions and prices. Additionally, recipes come with tips and suggestions for involving your kids in each step of the cooking process.

·         Created with busy families in mind, One Potato meals are ready in under 30 minutes and come with the ingredients already prechopped and premeasured.

·         Plans are chosen based on the size of your family and include options for gluten-free, vegetarian, and nut-free meals.

·         You can include food preferences, such as food allergies, in your account profile. However, it’s important to note that One Potato is not an allergen-free facility, and there’s a risk of cross-contamination.

·         Each delivery comes with a complimentary package of organic cookie dough and is packaged using all recyclable or biodegradable materials.

·         Prices range from $7.32–$12.95 per serving, depending on your plan. There’s also an additional $4.99 shipping fee for select locations.

·         Trifecta is a good option for those on a keto diet, as recipes are developed to provide healthy fats, lean proteins, and no more than 10 grams of net carbs.

·         Menus rotate each week and meals are selected for you. However, you can set up to two food preferences or allergies in your account profile. Any recipes containing those ingredients will be replaced with a duplicate of one of the other meals for the week.

·         In addition to keto meals, the service offers paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and clean eating plans.

·         Meals are fresh, never frozen, and delivered once a week. Items can be stored either in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for 3 months.

·         In addition to a weekly subscription, you can order mix-and-match proteins, carbs, and vegetables from the à la carte menu.

·         Meals range from $10–$14 depending on the meal plan, with additional costs for à la carte items. There’s currently no additional fee for shipping.

·         There are several factors to consider when choosing an organic meal delivery service.

·         Some companies source only organic produce, while others include additional organic items, such as eggs or tofu. Therefore, you’ll want to choose the service that most closely aligns with your preferences when it comes to which ingredients are organically sourced.

·         In addition to organic offerings, look for companies that use mostly whole, high-quality ingredients that are free of additives, preservatives, and excess added sugars.

·         For those following a special diet, such as keto or vegan, choosing a service that offers a wide variety of compliant recipes to choose from can make it easier to stick with your diet.

·         Food allergies are another important consideration. If you have a severe food allergy, make sure that the company you choose has strict protocols in place to avoid cross-contamination.

·         Other factors to consider include cost, delivery availability, and ease of meal preparation. Think about whether you have time to prepare and cook your meals each night, or whether you need prepared items that can be quickly reheated in the microwave.