Several years ago, my husband took over cooking dinner every night because I was paralyzed in the kitchen after a long day of work. When I got home, I wanted to spend time with my then-toddler kids, and I reached my decision-making capacity for the day. I was tapped out. After a while, we decided to join a popular meal subscription service to help ease the mental load.
It was good for a time, but we eventually decided to give it up because I had specific dietary needs the meal subscription kit couldn't accommodate. Many years later, there are seemingly hundreds of meal subscription kits available, and I'm sure dozens would meet those needs today. The meal kit service has exploded so much since its introduction in 2012 that worldwide revenue is expected to top $25 billion by 2027, according to research by Statista.
I get ads for these kits ALL THE TIME, and as enticing as the convenience sounds, as an unprocessed foodie, I steer clear of them. Here are the five reasons why:
1. It's Processed Food, Even the "Fresh" Stuff
The convenience of having pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your doorstep is undoubtedly appealing, but it comes at a cost. The truth is that any mass-produced food is processed through a facility.
Unbeknownst to many, these "fresh" ingredients have likely often been sitting in a foodshed for who knows how long before reaching processing facilities and, eventually, kitchens across the country. While the convenience factor is enticing, it is tough to ignore that these services sacrifice the quality and freshness of the produce I dearly cherish in my dishes.
2. Food Safety
Cross-contamination of food in meal subscription kits is real because you receive food intended to be eaten raw, with meat intended to be cooked. You don't want those hanging out in a box next to each other in a hot truck or on your doorstep on a warm summer day, amirite?
A 2021 article in Food Safety Magazine shares, "Paralleling the increasing sales of meal kits, there was also an accompanying rise in food recalls by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) associated with meal kits." The article states that from 2016 to 2020, there were four meal kit-related recalls in 2016, one in 2017, two in 2018, one in 2019, and eight in 2020.
"The top five violation categories cited by the FDA at food facilities generally in 2020 were foreign supplier compliance, hazard identification and control, pest infestation and control, manufacturing controls, and personnel hygiene," according to the article.
With the rapid rise in the number of meal subscription kits available, I wonder if these companies have proper processing facilities. I wonder if they adhere to federal sanitary regulations and if employees comply with health and hygiene practices to prevent pathogenic growth.
I don't want to wonder about these things when I make dinner.
3. The Long Food Supply Chain
Another aspect of meal subscription kits that I find hard to reconcile with is the extensive food supply chain they rely on. From the mystery grower to a warehouse, then to a shipping company, and finally to a local shipper before landing on my doorstep, the journey of these meal kit ingredients is far from sustainable.
This elongated supply chain not only increases the carbon footprint associated with these meals but also raises questions about the environmental impact of the entire process. The excessive transportation and handling of ingredients inevitably lead to more food waste and energy consumption, which, as a responsible foodie, I can't overlook.
4. Failing to Support Local Growers
One of the values I hold dear in my food journey is supporting local farmers and growers. Meal kits, despite their convenience, often fall short in this regard. Instead of fostering a connection with local agriculture, because of the number of kits they must produce in a timely fashion, they have to rely on a global network of industrial crop producers that likely use pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. If you're a meat eater, your chicken or beef probably comes from an animal factory. To learn more about the differences, click here.
Local farmers put in immense effort to grow fresh, seasonal produce and their animals that are raised outdoors, and I want to be part of a food culture that celebrates their dedication. Do you want to partner with your local growers for fresh, seasonal produce? Join a CSA today!
5. No Certainty of Food Sources
One significant concern that weighs on my mind about meal kits is the lack of transparency about the origin of the ingredients. Determining where the food is coming from and how it's grown or raised is often challenging. Without this information, I feel disconnected from the source of my food, and I couldn't fully trust the quality and ethics behind the production.
Eating locally sourced foods not only makes your body feel good, but it also has several benefits that go beyond nutrition.
6. Excessive Packaging
Another issue with meal subscription services is the excessive plastic packaging that inevitably comes with them. Each ingredient, meticulously portioned and individually wrapped, was often encased in layers of plastic, not to mention the ice packs and large boxes to recycle weekly. While the convenience is undeniable, the environmental impact is undeniable as well.
The accumulation of waste is not something I want to contribute to, considering the well-documented harm it causes to our planet. I felt compelled to find a more sustainable way to enjoy my meals without adding to the plastic pollution problem.
In my quest for a more genuine and mindful approach to cooking, I've turned to farmers' markets, local co-ops, and seasonal produce as my primary sources of inspiration and ingredients.
If you're contemplating a similar change in your culinary journey, I encourage you to explore the bounty of local ingredients available in your area and embrace the rich tapestry of flavors that come with it, all while making a positive impact on the environment.
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