Most Americans are familiar with delivery meal kits. Additionally, many small families and roommates rely on meal kit services for dinner and lunch throughout the week. Companies like Hello Fresh stepped up their marketing at the beginning of the pandemic for such reasons.

Eco-conscious and health-focused consumers peruse the market for the best providers. Individuals generally search for GMO-free, low-waste, carbon-neutral and balanced meals. Consumers can compare Green Chef and Hello Fresh to find the healthiest, most sustainable delivery kits.

The Rise of Delivery Meal Kits

The meal-kit industry experienced a financial boom at the start of the pandemic. In 2020, the market increased by 68.5% as more individuals cooked at home. They recognized the health and environmental benefits of meal kits throughout the pandemic.

One of the most significant meal kit benefits is their convenience. They provide consumers with pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards. Individuals may make delicious meals at home without prior cooking knowledge.

Another benefit of meal kits is their time efficiency. Consumers receive ingredients directly to their doors, which minimizes grocery store trips. Researchers discovered Americans are getting busier and have less time each day to cook.

The final meal kit benefit revolves around sustainability. Pre-portioned ingredients can reduce household food waste. Some meal kit companies also prioritize sustainability and practice emission-reduction techniques.

What is Green Chef?

Green Chef is one meal kit company prioritizing sustainability. It is Hello Fresh’s sister company and it offers various dietary alternatives. Some consumers prefer Green Chef for its signature, low-carb meals.

Individuals enjoy Green Chef’s okonomiyaki, pineapple teriyaki salmon, thai peanut noodle stir fry as well as truffle butter steak. Consumers can purchase a meal kit subscription with the sustainable company for as little as $7.49 a month. The plan provides individuals with four meals a week with four servings per meal.

Customers praise Green Chef for its efficient customer service options. Green Chef workers are available every day by phone call or live chat to clear up any issues. Also, customer service support is easy to access and helpful.

What is Hello Fresh?

One of the most well-known meal kit companies is Hello Fresh. Its slogan is “America’s #1 meal kit,” and the company’s 2020 sales reflect the saying. Hello Fresh experienced a 111% expansion in global sales during the pandemic.

Consumers may easily sign up for a meal kit subscription online. They will define their dietary restrictions and choose a plan when signing up for the delivery service. The company also considers the number of people each meal will feed to reduce food waste.

Most individuals continue renewing their monthly subscriptions because of Hello Fresh’s ease and convenience. Some consumers are displeased with the nutrient variety in their meal kits. Many individuals report low vegetable quantities in each meal, which limits their dietary health.

Hello Fresh meal kits are also less cost-effective compared to Green Chef. The company’s meals cost up to $11.00 per serving, which is more expensive than most grocery store meals. Hello Fresh does prioritize sustainability by minimizing packaging and transportation waste.

Flavor, Freshness and Quality

When comparing Green Chef vs Hello Fresh, individuals must assess their meals’ flavor, freshness and quality. Green Chef offers high-quality and sustainably sourced ingredients. One challenge with the company is its portion sizes.

Some consumers report feeling hungry after eating a Green Chef meal. Lighter eaters are satisfied with the portion sizes and acquire leftovers. One critique of Hello Fresh’s meals is their lack of flavor.

Hello Fresh does offer a variety of meals, so there is something for every customer. The company has relatively high ingredient quality and freshness ratings. Some customers with dietary restrictions struggle to find enough quality Hello Fresh meals to diversify their weekly diets.

Green Chef is one of the best meal kits for individuals with dietary restrictions. It offers gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo as well as keto meals. Hello Fresh makes a few naturally gluten-free meals and does not have a designated allergen-free menu.

Sustainability of Green Chef vs Hello Fresh 

Eco-consumers explore the different sustainability rating when comparing Green Chef vs Hello Fresh. Each company experiences environmental challenges with transportation emissions as well as post-consumer waste. They are unable to control what individuals do with their packaging and leftovers.

Hello Fresh is improving its sustainability rating by achieving carbon neutrality. The company packages its meals in reusable and recyclable paper bags. Hello Fresh’s owner also designs sustainable production sites with small carbon footprints.

Green Chef also supports global sustainability efforts. It eliminated plastic from its production facilities to minimize post-consumer pollution. The company also offers more plant-based meals, which reduce methane emissions.

Green Chef vs Hello Fresh for Families

Smaller families may benefit from using meal kits. Green Chef and Hello Fresh create standard four portion meals. Hello Fresh is a better option for families with picky eaters.

The company provides more meat and potato types of meals. Ultimately, Green Chef is a more efficient meal kit option for plant-based families. Both options can help family members lower their carbon footprints and reduce food waste.