Blue Apron Review

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If you know anything about recipe and ingredient delivery services, then you probably heard about the option from Blue Apron. The company has worked tirelessly to reach customers through online and television advertisements. Having a big brand doesn’t necessarily mean that a company can follow through on its promises. In this case, though, you can believe the hype.

Blue Apron revolutionized meal delivery services by placing ingredients inside insulated boxes and shipping them to customers. The ingredients arrive just as fresh as you would find them in the grocery store. In some cases, you get higher quality food from Blue Apron than you would find at your neighborhood store.

The company has also made a name for itself by working with farmers and other producers to improve sustainable practices. The company cuts out the middleman, so it has a direct influence on how farmers grow their products. Blue Apron uses that influence to push companies toward practices that protect land and water. While many companies are looking for shortcuts to boost profits, Blue Apron is doing hard work to make the planet a healthier place.

If you’re interested in a delivery service that sends you recipes and ingredients, Blue Apron is a good company to explore. Read on to help you decide whether it’s the right option for your household.

How Does Blue Apron Work?

Blue Apron makes it easy for households to create healthy, delicious meals without going to the grocery. When you visit the Blue Apron website, you get to choose between a Two-Person or Family Plan. You can also customize your plan to add additional servings and inform the company of any ingredients that you do not want included in your recipes.

You get to decide which days of the week you want Blue Apron to send you food. People in most major cities can choose delivery Monday through Saturday. Some cities, however, do not have delivery available on Monday and Saturday. Those people can only get Blue Apron deliveries from Tuesday to Friday.

After signing up, Blue Apron places all of your ingredients into an insulated package. Ice packs keep ingredients fresh throughout the shipping process. Everything that you need to make the day’s recipe gets included in the box, so you don’t have to visit the grocery store for any extras.

Use the directions and ingredients to make a restaurant-quality meal in your kitchen. Once you’ve made your meal, you can break down the packaging materials and recycle them.

Blue Apron lets you alter your plan at any time. If you want to cancel, add days or change your plan, just visit the website.

What Makes Blue Apron Stand Out?

Blue Apron is one of the most popular meal delivery services because it has put a lot of effort into marketing itself to consumers and working closely with its sources. While any company can spend money on marketing and advertising, it takes a special vision to work with ingredient producers to improve sustainability.

Blue Apron stands out because it provides a farm-to-table service that honestly cares about improving the land. It coordinates efforts with farmers to find sustainable practices and reduce food waste.

Blue Apron also takes the middlemen out of grocery shopping. It takes a lot of steps for food to reach a grocery store. In most supply chains, ingredients go from the farm to a wholesaler to a regional warehouse to a grocery store. Blue Apron buys its ingredients directly from farmers, so it’s the only step between you and delicious foods.

Common Reviews of Blue Apron

Blue Apron largely receives positive reviews that emphasize its timely delivery and tasty meals. Some reviewers, however, have had negative experiences with the company.

Most of the negative reviews come from people who signed up to receive a free meal from Blue Apron. They complain that the company did not give them a chance to cancel future orders, which forced them to pay for meals that they did not want. In reality, the Blue Apron website gives members an easy way to cancel delivery services. These customers must not have paid attention to the ordering process, otherwise they would have known how to cancel subsequent deliveries. Still, enough people complain about this that it’s worth noting. Perhaps Blue Apron could make its cancellation policy even more obvious to prevent this issue.

A small number of negative reviews complain that Blue Apron did not include all of the ingredients listed in recipes. The company never forgot to include a major ingredient such as beef or fish, but it did forget small items like radishes and carrots.

The majority of Blue Apron reviews praise the company for making it easy for families to plan and create meals together. Busy parents who want to have family meals don’t always have time to shop for groceries. On these occasions, many families opt for unhealthy dinners that they can get from a fast food restaurant. Blue Apron makes it possible for them to enjoy healthful meals even when they don’t have much time to spare.

Is Blue Apron for Me?

Blue Apron offers such a customizable service that it could suit practically anyone’s needs. Even if you follow a strict diet for health or religious reasons, Blue Apron can find recipes and ingredients that match your needs.

It does take some time to make Blue Apron recipes. The company does the shopping and preparing, but you still need to cook the recipes at home. If you do not have at least half an hour to cook, then Blue Apron might not work well for you. Then again, neither will any of the make-your-own-meal services.

If you want to explore new recipes with fresh ingredients at an affordable price, then Blue Apron is a great option. By choosing the company’s services, you get to enjoy meals at home, save money and avoid unwanted trips to the grocery store.

About the Author

Jeff Hindenach

Jeff Hindenach is the co-founder of Versus Reviews. He graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He has a long history of journalism, with a background writing for newspapers such as the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Examiner, as well as writing for The Huffington Post, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, Newsday and The Street. He believes in giving readers the tools they need to get out of debt.