Overview of Territory Foods
Territory Foods is a Virginia-based meal delivery service founded in 2011 that ships premade, nutritious meals nationwide. Their meals feature locally and sustainably sourced ingredients tailored to a variety of dietary needs like paleo, vegan, or keto. The company also partners with charities, donating 1 pound of food to Feeding America for every meal purchased.
But with so many meal kits and prepared food delivery options now, is Territory worth it? This comprehensive review will analyze Territory‘s sourcing, nutrition, taste, and more to see if it should be your next meal service.
The Highlights
Here are some of the key things that set Territory apart:
- Locally sources 100% of ingredients from family farms whenever possible
- Offers paleo, vegan, vegetarian, keto, low-fat, low-carb, and Whole30 plans
- Crafted by acclaimed chefs using ethical, sustainable practices
- Free of gluten, dairy, hormones, antibiotics, and artificial additives
- Donates 1 pound of food to Feeding America per meal purchased
- Prices competitive at $11-$14 per meal
- Can order 6-18 meals per week
- Offers one-time orders or recurring delivery
How Territory Food Works
Ordering Territory meals takes just a few simple steps:
- Enter your zip code to see available plans and pricing
- Select delivery frequency (once or twice weekly)
- Choose 6 to 18 meals per week
- Pick meals based on your diet and preferences
- Check out and pick delivery date
Territory offers one-time orders for flexibility but subscribing to recurring delivery saves 5%. You can skip or cancel future weeks at any time.
Diving Into Territory‘s Meal Options
Territory menus change weekly, with about 8-12 choices per diet. Here‘s an in-depth look at what defining each of their meal plans:
Paleo
True to paleo principles, Territory avoids all grains, legumes, dairy, and refined sugar in this plan. Meals center on lean proteins, non-starchy veggies, some fruit, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. Some tasty picks include:
- Moroccan Spiced Beef Tagine with Prunes and Eggplant Confit (536 calories)
- Pesto Chicken with Roasted Zucchini (600 calories)
- Cucumber Noodle Salad with Lemon Shrimp (452 calories)
Research shows paleo diets can reduce risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. However, long term research is still limited.
Keto
Keto meals emphasize high fat and low carbs to induce ketosis. Territory uses low-carb ingredients but does not guarantee meals will maintain ketosis. Standouts include:
- Pesto Chicken with Zucchini (38g fat, 25g carbs)
- Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry (39g fat, 15g carbs)
- Spicy Chicken Kebabs (42g fat, 8g carbs)
Studies show keto diets effectively lower blood sugar and BMI short-term but may not be sustainable lifelong for most. Consult a registered dietitian before starting.
Plant-Based
Vegan Territory meals contain no animal products, focusing on fruits, veggies, grains, beans, nuts and more. Due to no protein powders, plant-based meals contain less protein on average. Some favorites:
- Vegan Pho with Tofu (440 calories, 12g protein)
- Eggplant & Chickpea Coconut Curry (19g protein)
- Cauliflower Fried Rice (15g protein)
Research finds plant-based diets reduce obesity, risks of chronic illnesses, and promote longevity – but monitoring protein intake is key.
Mediterranean
ThisTerritory plan emphasizes produce, seafood, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil while limiting red meat and pork. Meals include:
- Shrimp & Veggie Harvest Bowl (490 calories)
- Green Curry Shrimp with Brown Rice (430 calories)
- Eggplant Caponata with Seared Tuna (520 calories)
The Mediterranean diet is linked with better heart health, lower BMI, and reduced stroke and CVD risk overall in studies.
How Territory Sources Ingredients
Territory prioritizes sourcing nutritious, sustainable ingredients for their meals, including:
- Non-GMO: Uses non-GMO corn and soybean products. Other GMOs allowed.
- Antibiotic-free meats: No antibiotics or hormones used in chicken, beef or other meats
- Free-range poultry: Chickens humanely raised with outdoor access
- Grass-fed beef: Cattle fed natural, pesticide and chemical free grass diet
- Seafood Watch approved seafood: Seafood sustainably fished or farmed per environmental standards
- Local produce when possible: Fruits, veggies, grains, etc sourced from small regional farms based on season and ripeness
This ethical sourcing means meals support small farmers and your health – though organic ingredients are limited.
How Do Territory Meals Taste?
Most customer reviews praise Territory meals for fresh, high quality ingredients and creative recipes that appeal to many palates. Recent responses include:
- "The best vegan meals I‘ve found from a prepared meal service."
- "Never had a bad or boring Territory meal. Great flavors!"
- "So fresh – nothing soggy or wilted like some services."
Some customers say Territory‘s healthier prep methods lead to lighter flavor compared to restaurant meals. But most agree ingredients taste bright and balanced.
Comparing Territory to Top Meal Delivery Services
Here‘s how Territory stacks up to leading prepared meal delivery competitors:
| Territory Foods | Freshly | Factor 75 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per meal | $11-$14 | $8.99-$12.50 | $11-$15 |
| Delivery areas | Coasts + Texas | Continental US | All 50 states |
| Dietary options | Paleo, vegan, keto + more | Low-carb, vegetarian | Keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian |
While Territory has fewer delivery areas, they offer more diet customization options compared to Freshly and Factor. Territory also sources more local ingredients versus national supply chains.
Is the Cost of Territory Worth It?
Starting at $11 per meal, Territory costs equal or less than similar prepared meal delivery brands. Local sourcing and chef-crafted recipes justify slightly above average pricing.
Competitors like Freshly or Splendid Spoon can beat Territory for budget buys. But Factor and Mosaic Foods cost the same or more without the same ethical sourcing, dietary options, and charity support.
Considering quality, nutrition, and social impact – Territory provides strong value at current prices based on my review.
Where to Buy Territory Meals
Territory is available for delivery in select regions of Virginia, California, New York, Texas, and more. Orders must be placed online via their website TerritoryFoods.com for direct delivery.
The Final Take: Who Should Choose Territory
Based on Territory‘s sourcing, nutrition, taste, and background – I recommend Territory for:
- Those following specific diets like paleo, keto, or plant-based
- People who value locally sourced, sustainable ingredients
- Busy professionals who want healthy meals with minimal prep
- Families with multiple dietary needs and restrictions
Vegans and vegetarians should note Territory‘s lower protein plant-based dishes and supplement accordingly. And while Territory tries to accomodate keto diets, actual carb counts may vary.
On the whole though, Territory delivers fresh, thoughtful meals tailored to your needs. Their ethical approach stands out from most prepared meal companies today. If you‘re considering a meal delivery service, Territory is a smart choice.
