But when I found out that Territory works with local chefs and registered dietitians to develop its recipes, and the opportunity came up for me to try meals like miso pesto ramen and cashew kale caesar, I couldn’t turn it down—especially when I saw the number of vegetarian options! Keep reading for my honest review. There’s no subscription or commitment required for Territory’s meal programs—just choose between two, four, six, or 12 single-serve meals per week. The meals are delivered to your door, requiring just a minute or two in the microwave before they’re ready to eat. Deliveries occur twice per week to ensure the freshest ingredients. If you do sign up for a subscription, Territory will prompt you to rate your meals each week and will then preselect menu options based on your feedback. You can edit these selections as well, but it’s nice to know that if you forget, your meals will be tailored to your preferences. Menus rotate each week, featuring up to 90 different items, and incorporate ingredients in season in your area. Territory is definitely unique in not requiring a subscription to order, making it a great option for someone who wants to try something new without committing to a full meal plan. Those who do choose to subscribe receive a 5% discount and can pause or cancel their subscription at any time. As a vegetarian, I found there were plenty of satisfying choices. The meals were lower carb than I’m used to, but they didn’t leave me unsatisfied. However, I will note that options for keto and paleo folks were fairly limited during the week I tried Territory—only four paleo and two keto meals were available. I also loved seeing familiar businesses on the menu because it made me confident that my food was local—as opposed to other companies that source ingredients from one centralized location, regardless of where the meals are traveling. To go the extra mile, Territory purchases carbon offsets supporting projects for reforestation for all their local deliveries. As far as ingredients go, Territory prioritizes noninflammatory options, meaning the meals are rich in produce, high-quality proteins, and whole grains. As mentioned, they also skip gluten, dairy, processed oils, and refined sugar. All animal proteins are raised without antibiotics or hormones, and seafood is sustainably farmed. The company uses only non-GMO corn and soybeans, due to the undesirable environmental impact of GMO corn and soybean crops. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how filling both of these meals were, especially considering my vegetarian restrictions and the fact that Territory’s meals are gluten- and dairy-free. The only downside of Territory, as far as I can see, is that because it’s premade, the act of preparing your meals can feel a bit lackluster, as if you’re just heating up leftovers (albeit chef-prepared ones). The twice-weekly deliveries do help ensure you’re not eating meals past their prime (so long as you eat them soon after delivery), but if you’re someone who has a hard time eating anything that wasn’t prepared that day, this might not be the best meal delivery service for you. As far as meal delivery services go, Territory definitely delivers some of the highest-quality meals out there. If you’re looking to have chef-made meals delivered to your door and are willing to pay for it, this is the meal delivery service for you. What’s more, I love that no subscription is needed. Who should skip: Territory foods might not be the right choice for people following a strict keto or paleo diet since it offers fewer menu items in these categories. It’s also not ideal for those who dislike the taste of a reheated meal. Territory meals tend to cater to a more sophisticated palate, which, of course, comes at an additional cost. While 12 meals per week from Freshly come out to about $10 per meal, Territory meals range from $15 to $17 each. Territory does not require a subscription, whereas Freshly does. Freshly is likely the best option for busy families, whereas Territory is better suited for those who live alone, have specialized diets, or don’t want to commit to a subscription.
