Hungryroot Review: Hungryroot Price, Quality, and Convenience as Compared to Grocery Stores Like Hannaford Supermarkets
I see ads CONSTANTLY for Hungryroot, and I've always wondered: is Hungryroot more expensive than grocery stores? Even if it costs more, is the food fresher or more delicious? Can shopping with Hungryroot help me to eat more healthfully without a lot of hassle? I decided to give the service a try. Here's my honest Hungryroot review.
My Honest Hungryroot Review
In this article, I compare Hungryroot to Hannaford, my local grocery store. Your mileage may vary, as you may find that prices vary in your area or at your local grocery store. (I am not an affiliate for Hungryroot or Hannaford, so you can trust this is really my opinion.)
Price of Hungryroot vs. Grocery Stores
When it comes to grocery shopping, convenience, cost, and quality are key factors for many consumers. Hungryroot, a popular grocery delivery service, and Hannaford, a traditional grocery store, each have their strengths. Let’s break down the pricing and quality for both options based on a recent grocery order.
Part of the difficulty with comparing Hungryroot to grocery stores like Hannaford is that Hungryroot doesn't really tell you how much specific items in your order cost.
Instead, Hungryroot uses a unique credit-based system rather than traditional pricing for individual grocery items. When you sign up, you choose a plan based on the number of meals or servings you want per week, and each plan comes with a set number of credits. Every item in the Hungryroot catalog is assigned a specific credit value, which reflects the portion size and complexity of the item.
For example, a complete meal might cost more credits than a single snack or side dish. Instead of paying for each item individually, you allocate your credits toward different items in your weekly delivery. This system allows you to customize your grocery haul based on your needs, whether that’s ready-to-eat meals, snacks, or fresh ingredients for cooking, all while staying within the credit limit of your chosen plan. If you need more items, you can add them for an extra charge or adjust your weekly plan to increase your credit balance.
To make matters even more complicated, the price per credit goes down when you buy in bulk. The plan we tried, at 91 credits per week, cost less per credit than when we tried to downgrade to a lower-credit plan.
Hungryroot Discount Options
Hungryroot’s delivery service often provides discounts for first-time or frequent users, which can make it more budget-friendly. It can be challenging to find information online about the real price of services like this, which is why I decided to review Hungryroot. Transparency makes decision-making so much easier!
For example, our first Hungryroot order totaled $210.74, but with a 40% discount of $84.30 that we were offered at sign-up, the final cost came down to $126.44. Hannaford does not typically offer such discounts on in-store purchases, so while the base prices may be similar, Hungryroot’s promotions can lead to significant savings.
We were also offered a free premium protein with each week's order for life. The choices for these tended to be precooked chicken from various brands, Hungryroot's Black Bean Brownie Batter (which is beyond delicious), and Hungryroot's Chickpea Cookie Dough (which we have yet to try).
Still, this 40% discount was only valid on our first two orders. When we compared the price of a similar basket at Hannaford and one at Hungryroot, it was only cheaper to go with Hungryroot while we had the 40% off discount. After our first two orders, Hannaford's pricing became far cheaper.
Hannaford does occasionally have "x off y" pricing specials, which it sends to customers via the app or by email. If you're a grocery store shopper at Hannaford or elsewhere, keep an eye out for these "$10 off $125" or similar pricing specials. You may also receive coupons from your grocery store in the mail or notice other specials (like double back coupons, can crazy sales, and more) that make grocery store shopping more palatable.
It's important to note that we couldn't find EXACTLY the same products at Hannaford as at Hungryroot. I did my best to match the two carts, but brands differed a bit, and in some cases, I had to find a close match, rather than an exact one. This may impact the price of the basket, leaning in favor of the grocery store. In some cases, it's possible the product you're getting at a grocery store may be cheaper but won't taste as good/the same or may not be organic.
How Does Hungryroot Work?
Hungryroot offers flexibility in how it selects meals for you and how you can use credits, while also requiring attention to scheduling to avoid unwanted charges.
Meal Selection and Customization
Hungryroot automatically suggests meals for you based on the dietary preferences you select when signing up (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.). They curate these meals from their menu of pre-portioned ingredients and ready-to-cook recipes. However, if you prefer to shop for individual groceries rather than meals, you can customize your order by using your credits to select specific grocery items, like produce, proteins, snacks, or sauces, instead of meal kits. This gives you the flexibility to get either complete meals or ingredients to cook on your own.
Scheduling and Deadlines
Hungryroot operates on a weekly delivery schedule, but you have control over when you receive your orders. You can skip, reschedule, or cancel deliveries, but this must be done before the cutoff time, usually a few days before your scheduled delivery. If you don’t modify your order by the deadline, Hungryroot will automatically charge your account and send the pre-selected items, which may result in receiving a delivery you no longer want. The deadline varies, so it’s important to keep track of it on your account dashboard.
Handling Credits and Charges
Each week, you can use the credits included in your meal plan to select items. If your selected groceries or meals exceed the number of credits in your plan, you will be charged for the extra items. However, if you don’t use all your credits in a given week, they roll over to the next delivery, so you won’t lose any value. This allows you to stockpile credits if you want to place a larger order later. You only pay for the plan each week, but if you exceed your credit limit, you'll be charged for the additional items separately.
This system gives you control over how and when you receive your groceries, but managing your account’s schedule and credit use is essential to avoid unwanted charges or deliveries.
Hungryroot Quality vs. Grocery Store Quality
Hungryroot is known for its healthy, ready-to-cook meals and high-quality organic options. Many of its offerings, such as fully cooked grass-fed beef sirloin steaks and organic seasoned jasmine rice, are curated for those who value convenience and nutritional content. Its pre-chopped vegetables and prepared meals, like the Chicken Tikka Masala with Saffron Rice we tried, make meal prep easy, which adds value for time-conscious consumers.
Hungryroot also includes niche, high-quality products, like Bellwether Farms Creme Fraiche, which may not be available in regular grocery stores. Keep in mind many of the fresh items Hungryroot sends have short timeframe expiration dates, and many of the more processed meal options are very high in sodium.
Hannaford, a well-established grocery chain in New England and the broader northeast, also provides high-quality produce, meat, and other grocery items. The store carries many fresh and organic options, like their organic chives and Nature's Promise products.
While it doesn’t offer the same level of meal-ready ingredients as Hungryroot, Hannaford excels in providing a broader selection of everyday groceries. This variety can cater to those who prefer traditional meal planning and preparation. Shoppers have control over the exact products they purchase, whereas Hungryroot’s selections are often curated.
Convenience Factor
Hungryroot delivers pre-portioned, ready-to-cook meals directly to your doorstep, making it an excellent choice for busy individuals or those who want to avoid trips to the store. This convenience is a major selling point, especially when paired with its healthy and often organic options.
Hannaford, on the other hand, requires shoppers to visit the store, though it offers more freedom in selecting and comparing products in person. Still, you can find plenty of processed foods for sale at Hannaford, too, if that's what you're after. For shoppers who enjoy picking out their own groceries, Hannaford is a solid choice.
Hungryroot vs. Grocery Store Baskets, Compared
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of products purchased from Hungryroot and Hannaford, with the prices available for Hannaford items and an overall price breakdown for each basket.
Product Comparison:
Category | Hungryroot | Hannaford | Hannaford Price |
Prepared Meals | Chicken Tikka Masala with Saffron Rice | Cafe Spice Chicken Tikka Masala with Saffron Rice | $6.99 |
Chicken Chile Verde with Rice + Beans | Couldn't find this product at Hannaford | N/A | |
Vegetables | Sweet Kale Salad Kit | Fresh Express Sweet Kale Chopped Kit | $3.99 |
Sweet Baby Broccoli | Sweet Baby Broccoli | $2.99 | |
Broccoli Florets | Hannaford Broccoli Florets | $2.50 | |
Fresh Cilantro | Bunched Cilantro | $1.99 | |
Fresh Chives | Nature’s Promise Organic Chives | $2.69 | |
Meat & Proteins | Fully Cooked Grass-Fed Beef Sirloin Steaks | Hannaford Grass Fed Top Sirloin Steak | $13.99/lb |
Thin-Cut Beef Strips | Beef for Stir Fry | $7.49/lb | |
Dairy & Cheese | Organic Grated Parmesan Cheese | BelGioioso Shredded Parmesan Cheese | $5.99 |
Creme Fraiche | Vermont Creamery Creme Fraiche | $5.99 | |
Snacks | Olli Salumeria Genoa Salami + Fontina Snack Pack | Hillshire Farm Pepperoni Small Plate Snacking | $3.49 |
Grains & Sides | Seasoned Jasmine Rice | Nature’s Promise Microwave Jasmine Rice | $2.25 |
Southwest Mashed Sweet Potatoes | Couldn't find this product at Hannaford | N/A | |
Sauces & Dips | Sweet Teriyaki | Taste of Inspirations Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Sauce | $2.99 |
Cucumber Corn Black Bean Salad | Cedar's Natural Black Bean Salad | $5.99 | |
Bakery | Atoria’s Family Bakery Traditional Naan | Stonefire Indian Naan Bread | $4.99 |
Hannaford Total Basket:
Chicken Tikka Masala with Saffron Rice: $6.99
Sweet Kale Salad Kit: $3.99
Sweet Baby Broccoli: $2.99
Broccoli Florets: $2.50
Fresh Cilantro: $1.99
Organic Chives: $2.69
Grass-Fed Top Sirloin Steak (0.75 lbs): $10.49
Beef for Stir Fry (0.75 lbs): $11.23
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: $5.99
Creme Fraiche: $5.99
Pepperoni Small Plate Snacking: $3.49
Microwave Jasmine Rice: $2.25
Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Sauce: $2.99
Black Bean Salad: $5.99
Indian Naan Bread: $4.99
Hannaford Basket Total
$80.56
Hungryroot Total Basket
The total price for the Hungryroot basket was $210.74 before discounts. However, after applying the discount of $84.30, the final cost was $126.44.
While Hannaford offers lower upfront prices on most items, Hungryroot's discount brings its overall cost closer to Hannaford’s for a larger curated selection that includes pre-prepped and convenient meal options.
Hungryroot’s value is in the convenience and quality of pre-made meals, while Hannaford offers competitive pricing for individual grocery items, making it a more cost-effective option for traditional grocery shopping.
Hungryroot Delivery and Packaging
One of the key features of Hungryroot’s delivery system is its packaging, designed to keep your groceries fresh during transit, even if you aren’t home to receive the box immediately. Keep in mind that, while you can pick your delivery date, you cannot pick the time. If you will be out for part of the day, your delivery may come during that time. This may be a problem, depending on your climate and what you ordered. For that reason, it's best to schedule your order for a date when you know you're going to be home all day.
To ensure food safety, Hungryroot uses insulated boxes that contain cold packs to keep perishable items like meats, dairy, and produce at safe temperatures. The cold packs are strategically placed around temperature-sensitive products, allowing items to stay cool for several hours. These cold packs are reusable and can often be kept for personal use or disposed of in an eco-friendly manner according to local guidelines. The combination of insulation and cold packs means that even pre-cooked meals or fresh proteins can arrive fresh and ready to eat or cook.
I checked the temperature of my food when it arrived. For the most part, it seemed to be at refrigerator-level temperatures. Hungryroot claims you can contact them with concerns about anything that didn't stay cold enough and they'll give you your money back. I can't speak to how that works, since I didn't have to do that.
Our delivery came via Lasership, rather than by a larger company like UPS or FedEx. I can tell from tracking the package that it was shipped the night before it was received, which makes me feel better about how long the food was outside of a refrigerator or freezer. I know some customers complain about the quality of their deliveries, but ours were totally fine, at least so far.
Is Hungryroot Better Than Grocery Stores?
The choice between Hungryroot and Hannaford depends largely on your priorities. If you value convenience, pre-prepped meals, and the potential for discounts, Hungryroot may be worth the extra cost. On the other hand, Hannaford offers a reliable in-store experience with competitive pricing and a wider selection of products for those who prefer to shop in person. This is probably true of your local grocery store, also.
Ultimately, we are still on the fence about Hungryroot. We can't justify spending full-price every week for the service, as it's just too much for our budget, and frankly, too much food for our family. We will probably keep our subscription for now and lower our credit threshold to the minimum level. Then, I'll go in weekly and skip shipments as needed so we don't get food we don't need.
I don't love the idea of adding one more thing to my to-do list, especially since the idea of Hungryroot is supposed to be that it's a time-saver, but some of the products Hungryroot has that we really love are difficult (or impossible) to find elsewhere. For instance, I really love their black bean and corn salad, and I tried the grocery store version, but Hungryroot's version is much better. At some point when time permits, I will also probably try to make my own and see if it's comparable.
Overall, the Hungryroot experiment was worthwhile because it gave us the opportunity to break up the monotony of our typical meal plan and try some new things. We've found some new favorites and know how the Hungryroot process works in case we want to return in the future. It would be nice to have this on the back burner in case we had to deal with a medical crisis, home renovations, or some sort of unexpected time-suck in the future. It's always nice to have healthy food brought right to your door that you can just reheat and eat!
Have you tried Hungryroot? How would you review the service? Did you love it, or is it too expensive, too salty, or less fresh than groceries from your local store? Drop a comment below and let us know!
