The rise of meal kit services like Blue Apron and HelloFresh initially seemed like an expensive luxury. However, these services have become more affordable and convenient, catering to busy families and inexperienced home cooks. EveryPlate, a low-cost meal kit service, offers meals for around $5 or $6 per serving. This led me to question if EveryPlate was actually more expensive than buying the same ingredients from a grocery store.
To compare the costs, I looked at the price per serving for EveryPlate and the cost of purchasing groceries to make the same meals. According to my calculations, EveryPlate was only slightly more expensive, and the cost difference could even out when considering the expense of driving to the store.
Deli vs. grocery store
| EveryPlate (2 servings) | EveryPlate (4 meals) | Store-bought foods | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per serving | $7.48 | $6.50 | $5.44 |
I determined the price difference by comparing the cost of two EveryPlate meals to the price of purchasing groceries for the same two recipes. The difference was relatively small, especially when factoring in the cost of transportation to the store.
Now, let’s explore the affordability and value of meal kits in 2023.
Are meal kits more expensive than grocery shopping?
If you’re wondering how meal kits compare to buying groceries yourself, let me break it down for you. While some meal kit services can be quite expensive, EveryPlate offers meals for around $5 or $6 per serving.
After calculating the cost difference between grocery shopping and ordering meal kits for various recipes, I found that EveryPlate was only slightly more expensive. The idea that meal kits are an extravagant splurge may be more of a myth than reality.
How I did the math
To calculate the cost of both meal kits and grocery shopping, I selected two EveryPlate recipes and purchased the ingredients. I opted for the most affordable options available from FreshDirect, a popular online grocery delivery service. I also divided the cost of spices and ingredients sold in bulk to get the per-serving cost.
How much does EveryPlate cost?
EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal kit services, with plans starting at around $5 per serving. For a two-person plan with three meals a week, it averages to about $5.99 per serving. Considering the delivery fees, the total cost for a two-person order from EveryPlate is $7.48, and it’s only $6.50 per serving for a four-meal plan.
How much would groceries cost for the same meals?
If you were to purchase all the ingredients for the same meals from a grocery store, here’s a breakdown of the costs based on prices from FreshDirect (April 2022). Keep in mind that these prices may vary depending on your location. However, the grocery prices listed here are generally lower than what you would find in local markets.
Baked pork belly with home fries and carrots (2 servings)
- Carrots (12 ounces): $1.50
- Five Yukon gold potatoes: $1.50
- One yellow onion: $0.90
- Two pills: $0.50
- Two 5-ounce pork chops: $4.93
- One packet of chicken feed: $0.60
- Cayenne pepper: $0.20
- Sour cream (4 ounces): $1.50
Total: $11.13
Cost per serving: $5.56
Cherry meatballs with zucchini and garlic mashed potatoes (2 servings)
- Five Yukon gold potatoes: $1.60
- White bread (2 slices): $0.50
- One zucchini: $1.50
- Ground beef (8 ounces): $4.30
- Cherry Jam (1 ounce): $0.85
- Garlic powder: $0.10
- Sour cream (4 ounces): $1.50
- Soy sauce (1 ounce): $0.50
Total: $10.85
Cost per serving: $5.42
Compared to grocery shopping, EveryPlate offers a good price for the convenience and pre-portioned ingredients. It costs around $2 more per serving, or only $1 more if you choose a four-meal plan. Ultimately, it’s a small premium to pay for the convenience and time-saving benefits of meal kits.
What about the environmental impact, packaging, and waste?
Meal kits tend to use more packaging materials compared to buying groceries. However, low-cost services like EveryPlate have made efforts to reduce waste by using fewer containers. Most packaging materials, including cooler boxes and ice packs, can be recycled.
On the other hand, meal kits provide precisely what you need for each meal, minimizing food waste. With grocery shopping, it’s easy to end up with extra ingredients that go to waste. So, while meal kits may generate more plastic waste, they can help reduce food waste.
What about other meal kit services?
EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal kit services, along with Dinnerly. Other services like Sunbasket, Green Chef, and Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon can cost around $10 or $13 per serving. The higher prices are often due to premium ingredients like grass-fed beef. So, there’s a wide range of prices when it comes to meal kit services.
If you’re looking for convenient and budget-friendly meal options, meal kits like EveryPlate are worth considering. However, if you prefer not to cook at all, there are plenty of pre-packaged processed food options available as well.
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