Daily Harvest Review

Friday, June 20th

2025 Mediterranean Meal Delivery Reviews

Daily Harvest

• Price per serving: Entrees start at $9.79
• Shipment frequency: Weekly or monthly
• Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner): All of the above
• Calories per meal: Roughly 100-300
• Number of recipes: 14
• Prep time: Varies depending on product type

You've probably heard of Daily Harvest - maybe in a podcast ad... or maybe in the news. It's a brand that seems to epitomize the chic, "clean-girl” lifestyle that's all over Instagram and TikTok. Think expensive, influencer-approved, with a vibe that says health and luxury. Founded in 2015, they've carved out a niche in the wellness world, presenting themselves as the go-to for sustainably-sourced, plant-based, chef-crafted foods that are as Instagrammable as they are nutritious.

2022 recall incident with serious health repercussions

But beneath this polished exterior lurks a less glamorous reality. Daily Harvest has been under fire, making headlines not for their aesthetic appeal, but for a serious recall incident in 2022. A particular recipe caused alarming health issues, leading to drastic measures like liver and gallbladder removals for some consumers. This dark underside is a stark contrast to their clean, wholesome image, marred further by ensuing lawsuits. It'll be up to you to decide if this non-repeat offense is enough to put you off their offerings entirely.

Build your box however you want

Daily Harvest's pricing and plan structure is all about flexibility and fitting into your lifestyle. You can choose from 9, 14, or 24 items delivered either weekly or monthly. What's great is the freedom to change up your items, delivery schedule, or plan preference whenever you want. Managing your account is a breeze too, either through their website or by using their handy iOS app.

$9 smoothies and soups

So, how much does a bit of Daily Harvest luxury set you back? Prices range from $5.99 to $11.99 per item. The more you order, the more you save. Think of it like buying in bulk; the bigger your haul, the bigger your savings. This volume-based discount automatically kicks in at checkout when you order 9 or more items. Here's a quick run-down of what you might spend:

• Lattes: $5.99 each
• Forager Bowls: $6.79 each
• Mylk & Bites: $7.99 each
• Smoothies & Soups: $8.49 each (ouch!)
• Harvest Bowls, Flatbread & Grains, Pasta: $9.79 each

Volume-based discounts: the more, the merrier (and cheaper)

Here's how their discounts break down:

• Order 9-11 items, and you get a $5 discount
• Choose 12-23 items, and the discount jumps to $10
• Go big with 24-26 items, and you're looking at a $25 discount

Remember, though, every box comes with a flat shipping and handling fee of $9.99. So if you buy more than what fills one box, your savings might be negated by the cost to deliver a second one.

Mediterranean-inspired eats promoting wellness and heart health

Daily Harvest has curated a collection of eats that fit the Mediterranean diet. This includes smoothies, fig bites, soups, pasta bowls, oat bowls, and grain bowls. They're not just selling food, they're selling a lifestyle - one that's all about wellness, heart health, reducing the risk of cognitive decline (and maybe getting attention on Instagram).

Mediterranean collection offers meatless dishes with customer reviews and tips

There are 14 Mediterranean items in the Mediterranean collection, and the cool thing is, each one comes with its own set of reviews and customer tips - your own little foodie community guiding you on how to jazz up each dish. And while all their products are meatless, Daily Harvest is not pushing a vegan lifestyle - they suggest meat pairings for their savory entrees, which might come in handy if you want to add more protein. But, you might also feel a bit like you're getting an incomplete meal for the price.

Mediterranean meal samples

Here's a peek at some of the meals you might find:

• Date + Almond Smoothie: Think toasted marshmallow shake but with a healthy twist. It's got dates, almond butter, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. Customers are calling it "filling and decadent" - like dessert, but good for you.
• Lentil + Tomato Bolognese Harvest Bowl: Imagine a lentil bolognese meets tomato stew. Lentils, carrots, mushrooms, leeks - it's a flavor-packed bowl that's quick to make and leaves no mess.
• White Bean + Spinach Pesto Pasta: This one's for the pasta lovers who still want their greens. It's got a nut-free pesto, ancient grain pasta, artichokes, and beans. It's a guilt-free pasta indulgence with 8 grams of protein per serving.

Nutritional info at your fingertips

For those who like to know exactly what they're eating, Daily Harvest doesn't leave you guessing. Nutritional information is readily available under the "Ingredients & Nutrition Facts" tab on each item's page and on the individual containers.

Healthy but decadent soups, pasta, and smoothies

Daily Harvest's offerings seem to hit the right notes with most folks. Their soups are a standout - if you're ever in doubt about how to round out your order, apparently, soups are the way to go. The pasta also gets a thumbs up, especially for tricking your taste buds into thinking it's the real carb-heavy deal. Picture tucking into a bowl of what seems like traditional pasta, only to find out it's lentil-based - good news for your protein intake. And let's not forget the avocado cacao smoothie. It's said to be like indulging in a decadent chocolate treat, minus the guilt and sugar crash. However, it's worth noting that if you're new to plant-based eating, some of the textures might catch you off guard.

More than just microwave-and-eat

Daily Harvest doesn't play the "fresh-never-frozen” game. They freeze their ingredients right after harvest to lock in all that goodness - flavor, nutrients, you name it. And while they're big on convenience, some of their items do need a bit more love in the prep department.

• Smoothies: This isn't just a "pop in the blender” deal. There's a little ritual to it - shaking the cup, adding the right amount of liquid, and then blending it.
• Flatbreads: These require a bit of oven time. You're preheating, baking, and then cooling. The result? A golden brown, crispy-edged delight.
• Forager Bowls: Whether you're a stovetop enthusiast or a microwave maven, these bowls will require stirring and heating to get that just-right consistency and warmth.

If you want to know more about the prep involved with the rest of their products, you can read up on the instructions on the website before you order or on the packaging info when it gets to you. Daily Harvest's approach is a tad more involved than your average meal delivery service, but it sounds like it's worth the extra steps.

Daily Harvest prioritizes organic ingredients and dietary restrictions

Daily Harvest uses organic ingredients often, and they tell you to check the labels to learn which ones are organic and which aren't. This is better than some competitors who say "organic with a few exceptions" without specifying what those exceptions are (because they want you to think more if their food is organic than really is). Also, all their food is dairy-free and naturally gluten-free. They've even considered those with soy sensitivities, flagging any items containing miso and tamari. However, it's worth noting that their foods are made in facilities processing dairy, nuts, soy, and gluten. So, if you've got serious allergies, you might need to tread carefully.

You might be able to DoorDash them

Shipping-wise, Daily Harvest covers most of the continental U.S. and is working hard to expand its reach. They can be found in some grocery stores, and they even offer instant delivery via mainstream delivery apps in select cities, catering to the immediate cravings of the urban crowd. For packaging, they're on a mission towards 100% sustainability, which is no small feat. They provide a clear breakdown of how to recycle or dispose of each packaging component on the website.

Freeze your items right away

With Daily Harvest, you decide how often you want deliveries, how many items you want, and what foods will fix your cravings. They let you plan deliveries up to 8 weeks in advance, and you get a scheduled delivery day. Most of the time, you don't need to be home to receive your box - a big plus for busy bees. They pack their boxes with enough dry ice to keep everything frozen for a couple of days post-delivery. In the rare case you do miss a delivery, they're quick to coordinate a reschedule. And once you do get your box, remember to stash those items in the freezer ASAP to keep them fresh. Remember, each individual box is subject to a fixed shipping and handling fee of $9.99.

Satisfied customers praise fresh, healthy meals and excellent customer service

There's a large slice of Daily Harvest's customer base that's genuinely pleased with what they offer. These happy customers often highlight the freshness and healthiness of the food. There's also praise for the customer care team, described as friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. For these fans, orders arrive well-packed and prompt, ticking all the right boxes for a satisfactory meal delivery experience. It's like a breath of fresh, healthy air in their busy lives.

Controversy and criticism: the darker side

However, we can't forget the darker side to this story. The summer 2022 recall of the French Lentil and Leek Crumbles dish, which led to serious health issues, including hospitalizations, has left a significant scar on the brand's reputation. Some customers use third-party review platforms to express deep frustration and distress, feeling that the company's response was inadequate and too slow. This incident has raised serious questions about the company's commitment to customer health and safety.

Execs party while customers suffer

An article from People magazine discusses a company event, "Harfest," that took place apparently before the source of the illness had been discovered. This event, seen by some as insensitive, has only added fuel to the fire of customer ire. One customer raged, "After getting hundreds of people sick, the owner of the company, Rachel, gets dressed up like a superhero for a company party. Wake up, America, there are people like Rachel and whomever else invested in this company, getting richer than anyone possibly needs in their lifetime off your hard earned money and then psychotically ignoring the issue.” The fact that customers have lost trust in the company due to a perceived mismatch between its public image and its response to a major health crisis is quite understandable.

It's a personal decision

To sum up, beginning with the lighter subject matter, Daily Harvest's Mediterranean options are fresh and trendy, but they're pricey, and 14 products won't cut it for a full-time Mediterranean diet. We've heard from customers who absolutely rave about the healthiness and convenience, but on the other hand, there's a group of deeply dissatisfied and even permanently harmed customers, whose experiences have cast a long shadow over the brand's reputation. So, here's our two cents: proceed with caution. If you're considering Daily Harvest, it's wise to weigh the pros and cons. It'll come down to what works for your wallet, your stomach, and your conscience.