Are you dreaming of delicious, home-cooked meals without the hassle of shopping, prepping, and cleaning? In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to nourish ourselves with healthy and satisfying food can feel like a luxury. Many of us wish for a convenient solution that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality. Forget the awkwardness of a personal chef in your kitchen – imagine having a service that delivers chef-prepared, healthy meals right to your doorstep, made with locally sourced ingredients. This is the promise of Territory Foods.
Territory has emerged as a leading meal delivery service, offering a refreshing approach to healthy eating. Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2011, territory foods now spans across 27 states, partnering with independent chefs, nutritionists, and local delivery networks to bring fresh, flavorful meals to a wide range of customers. This review delves into the details of territory foods, exploring everything from taste and convenience to sustainability and cost, helping you decide if this service is the right fit for your lifestyle.
Creating an account with territory foods is incredibly user-friendly. Simply provide your name, email, and delivery zip code to unlock a weekly menu boasting over 35 seasonal recipes. You have the flexibility to schedule up to two deliveries per week, with a maximum of 12 meals per delivery. After enjoying your meals, you can rate them, providing valuable feedback that territory foods utilizes to personalize your future menu selections. While territory foods offers curated menu suggestions based on your preferences, you always retain complete control to customize your choices. Importantly, there’s no binding commitment, allowing you to explore the service without long-term obligations.
Territory foods prides itself on sourcing high-quality, wholesome ingredients. A significant portion of their produce and proteins are locally and sustainably sourced, including responsibly caught fish. All animal proteins are raised without antibiotics or hormones, reflecting a commitment to both quality and ethical sourcing, as detailed on the Territory Foods website. Beyond providing nutritious meals, territory foods is also dedicated to reducing food waste and giving back to the community through its partnership with Feeding America. This initiative ensures that surplus, high-quality food is redirected to those in need, rather than ending up in landfills.
Understanding dietary needs and preferences is central to territory foods. Their meals are inherently free from gluten, dairy, and refined sugars, catering to a broad spectrum of health-conscious consumers. Furthermore, territory foods offers extensive customization options, allowing you to select from various dietary categories, and even mix and match based on your needs and desires:
- Paleo
- Low Carb
- Plant-Based
- Keto-Friendly
- Whole30 Approved
- Mediterranean
- Performance Nutrition
- Under 500 Calories
With all these compelling aspects covered, the crucial question remains: Does territory foods truly deliver on its promise of delicious, clean, and convenient eating? Let’s delve into the taste, preparation, packaging, and overall value of territory foods.
Taste and Variety: Exploring the Territory Foods Menu
The most important aspect of any meal delivery service is, of course, the taste of the food. In the case of territory foods, the vast majority of meals are genuinely delicious and surprisingly fresh, especially considering they are prepared in advance and reheated. Many dishes feature a thoughtful combination of components, offering a more complex and satisfying culinary experience than simple, single-dish meals. The anticipation of selecting and enjoying territory foods meals eliminates the usual lunchtime decision fatigue and the burden of post-meal cleanup.
Portion sizes for lunch felt appropriately balanced, generally averaging around 500 calories per meal. For those seeking heartier main meals, opting for higher-calorie options within the territory foods menu is easily achievable. While personal calorie tracking may vary, the portion sizes are generally well-suited for a satisfying and nutritious lunch.
During a sample order in Los Angeles, a diverse range of territory foods meals were received (it’s important to remember that menus vary by location, reflecting the local chef network):
- Grilled Salmon with Cauliflower Rice and Broccoli
- Chicken Salad with Cabbage Slaw
- Vegan Chickpea Quiche with Heirloom Potatoes
- Paprika Pulled Pork with Garlic Roasted Tomato and Stewed Collards
- Steak and Green Beans with Sweet Potato-Parsnip Puree and Béarnaise Sauce
- Pork Carnitas with Pickled Cabbage and Sweet Potato Mash
- Vegan Sicilian-Style Pasta
- Fusilli Cashew Alfredo with Smoked Salmon and Baby Spinach
- Black Bean and Steak Fajita with Tomatillo Sauce
- BBQ Pulled Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Coleslaw
- Thai Basil Chicken with Veggie Fried Brown Rice
- Chicken a la Diabla with Cauliflower Mash and Broccoli
Standout favorites included the flavorful paprika pulled pork, the vibrant vegan Sicilian-style pasta, and the refreshing chicken salad, which was particularly enjoyable served cold. The only meal not sampled was the fusilli cashew alfredo with smoked salmon. The preparation instructions, requiring salmon removal before microwaving and re-addition afterward, felt slightly less convenient. Personal preference also played a role, as a developing taste for fish made this particular dish less appealing at the time. While visually appealing, it ultimately wasn’t the preferred choice when craving comfort food.
Effortless Meal Prep: The Convenience Factor of Territory Foods
One of the most significant advantages of territory foods is its unparalleled convenience. Most meals require only a few minutes of reheating in the microwave, often with a simple stir midway through. Certain meals are designed to be enjoyed cold, further simplifying the process. The sheer ease of having a healthy lunch readily available each day is a game-changer. The mental and time savings from skipping meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning are substantial, especially for busy individuals. For those who often find themselves skipping lunch due to time constraints or work demands, territory foods provides a practical and healthy solution.
An added benefit appreciated was the clear nutritional information provided on each territory foods meal label. For individuals mindful of their macronutrient intake or specific ingredients, this transparency is invaluable, offering insights often absent in homemade meals without meticulous tracking.
Eco-Conscious Packaging: Territory Foods’ Sustainability Efforts
Territory foods demonstrates a conscious effort towards eco-friendly packaging. While complete sustainability in meal kit packaging remains a challenge across the industry, territory foods takes steps to minimize environmental impact. Only the ice pack gel, meal labels, and stickers are designated for general waste. The plastic components of the packaging are recyclable, categorized as #1, #4, and #2 plastics. It’s advisable to verify local recycling program acceptance for these specific plastic types to ensure proper disposal.
The meal trays themselves are constructed from microwave-safe rigid polypropylene, produced in Wisconsin using energy-efficient technology that reduces energy consumption by 30% and minimizes scrap waste, as detailed on the Territory Foods support page. These trays are food-safe, free from PFAS and BPA additives. However, the use of plastic, even recyclable, may be a point of consideration for environmentally conscious consumers.
Acknowledging the inherent complexities of sustainable food systems, it’s important to consider the broader environmental footprint of food consumption. Even grocery-purchased foods often involve non-environmentally friendly shipping and packaging processes. While striving for ideal sustainability, territory foods represents a practical option for convenient meals, especially when compared to less sustainable alternatives like frequent takeout or restaurant dining. For those with ample time and resources, farmers markets offer the most sustainable approach, but for many, territory foods provides a more realistic balance of convenience and environmental consciousness.
Cost and Value: Is Territory Foods Worth the Investment?
Pricing for territory foods varies based on location, meal preferences, and available options. To view specific prices in your area, entering your zip code during signup is necessary. In the Los Angeles area, meal prices generally range from $14 to $17. Side dishes can start as low as $7.99, while family-sized dishes like pork carnitas can reach $21.99. Price comparisons with other locations, such as Indiana, suggest similar pricing structures, indicating that affordability is largely dependent on individual location and cost of living.
Territory foods offers a weekly subscription option, providing personalized meal recommendations based on your ratings and preferences, which can be further customized. Subscribing unlocks a 5% discount on orders. However, on a $100 order, this translates to a modest $5 saving.
Considering the cost, territory foods presents a valuable service for individuals who prioritize convenience, have specific dietary needs, or require quick and healthy meal solutions for busy workdays. While perhaps not the most budget-friendly option for daily dinners, especially for those with more time for cooking, territory foods excels as a lunch solution or for individuals with demanding schedules. Students, parents, and busy professionals can greatly benefit from the flexibility and convenience of territory foods for any meal of the day.
Moreover, territory foods can be a thoughtful and practical gift for someone experiencing grief, navigating challenging times, or recovering from illness. Understanding their dietary needs and preferences allows you to provide nourishing support through convenient and healthy meals.
“I’m glad I tried Territory—it even inspired me to try new recipes that I might not have otherwise sought out…next time I need extra support on eating my weekday lunches, Territory will be my first pick”
Final Verdict: Territory Foods – A Convenient and Healthy Meal Solution
Overall, territory foods offers a compelling solution for those seeking healthy, chef-prepared meals delivered directly to their doorsteps. The service excels in convenience, taste, and dietary customization, making it a strong contender in the meal delivery market. While the price point may be higher than preparing meals from scratch, the time savings, quality ingredients, and diverse menu options justify the cost for many, particularly those with busy lifestyles or specific dietary requirements.
While personally, a subscription may not be the immediate next step, territory foods is definitely a top choice for future needs when weekday lunch support is required. The flexibility of no recurring commitment ensures that territory foods remains an accessible and attractive option whenever convenience and healthy eating are paramount.
Key Takeaways:
- Territory provides a convenient way to receive fresh single-serving and family-style meals delivered to your home, accommodating a wide range of dietary preferences.
- The average meal price of $14–$17 is positioned as a premium convenience, offering value through time savings and quality ingredients, making it worthwhile for specific needs and busy periods.
- For optimal enjoyment, prioritize reheating hot dishes or select cold dishes if you prefer to avoid reheated fish. Personal taste preferences should guide your meal selections within the diverse menu.
- Territory stands out as an excellent gift option for individuals facing challenging circumstances, offering practical support through nourishing meals, especially when considering their dietary needs and preferences.
