Green Chef is a Sustainable (Eco-friendly) Meal Kit Company

Green Chef is committed to sustainability and paves the way for meal kit companies with their innovative recyclable packaging and eco-friendly practices.

What is Sustainability and Why Does it Matter?

Broadly defined, sustainability means, the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance. With regards to the food industry, sustainability means that food production, distribution and consumption play a critical role in the health of our environment, society and economy.

Did you know that an estimated 40% of food is wasted in the U.S. annually, amounting to $162 billion in food waste? If not wasted, this food could have served over 58 million meals in the U.S. annually, according to CORR Concepts for Sustainable Living. Lessening or eliminating food waste has environmental, social and economic benefits for U.S. families.

Meal Kit Companies Have a Smaller Carbon Footprint

Food production has a huge carbon footprint, and according to CORR Concepts for Sustainable Living, one study estimated it is responsible for 19-29% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. 

But, according to a study conducted in April 2019 by the University of Michigan, it was determined that meal kit companies, such as Green Chef, have a carbon footprint that is 25% lower than meals made from store-bought groceries. This is attainable due to pre-portioned ingredients and a streamlined supply chain process. Typically the pre-portioned ingredients in meal kits lead to less food loss and waste. Green Chef offers consumers a significantly more sustainable approach to eating and meal planning. Throwing away less of what we eat is an impactful way to reduce carbon emissions. 

Shipping meal kits to thousands of homes can cause emissions, however meal kits are often delivered alongside other mail on normal routes and this last stage of distribution accounts for 11% of grocery store meal emissions, but only 4% for meal kits. The University of Michigan Study also says that by skipping brick-and-mortar retailing, the direct-to-consumer meal kit model avoids the food losses that commonly occur in grocery stores, resulting in large emission savings.

Green Chef Uses Recyclable Packaging

The plastic and packing materials required to keep food fresh to ship direct-to-consumers can play into carbon emissions. But, fortunately Green Chef has taken massive steps towards sustainability with all of their packaging, and have practices in place to help offset their direct carbon emissions and plastic packaging in every box. As a family that recycles and tries to do our part to help the environment, I found it very interesting to learn more about the packaging materials that Green Chef uses. 

Green Chef is committed to producing recyclable packaging when possible, the only exceptions come into play when there is a food quality or safety reason. With that said, Green Chef is the first meal kit company to utilize ClimaCell material. ClimaCell is a curbside recyclable insulation that serves a similar function to styrofoam. It is a patented material made from renewable plant-based components and paper. ClimaCell is a great insulator for perishable food products, and the company’s mission is to “protect products with packaging that protects the earth.”

What’s in Green Chef’s Packaging?

Green Chef Boxes

The Green Chef boxes are made of 40-60% recycled cardboard material. You can reuse the box for storage or break it down and recycle it with your curbside pick-up or local recycling facility. 

Plant-based Package Insulation

As mentioned above, Green Chef boxes come insulated with a material called ClimaCell. This is a proprietary plant-based insulator. It contains a thin layer of kraft paper on either side to hold it together. The material is also curbside recyclable.

Reusable Ice Packs

The Green Chef ice packs are filled with a soluble, non-toxic gel. The outer layer of the ice packs are made of #4 plastic film. You can easily reuse the ice packs by saving them in your freezer or store at room temperature for later use. The other option is you can cut a slit and drain the gel, rinse the plastic, and recycle wherever #4 plastic is accepted.

Compostable Meal Kit Bags

The Green Chef meal kit bags that contain all of the ingredients are made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper. You can reuse the bag if it is clean or recycle with your curbside pick-up. The other option is these meal kit bags can actually be composted at home or through your local composting facility. The plastic baggies used for individual ingredients have a number on them that indicates the type of plastic and where it can be recycled, if recyclable. 

Green Chef’s Sustainability Partners

Green Chef has also strengthened its commitment to sustainability by partnering with numerous organizations that hold high standards when it comes to the environment. Some of these organizations include: The Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Spoiler Alert, Plasticbank, Temperpack, and the US EPA Certified company SmartWay.

Additionally, Green Chef is USDA-certified organic company and utilizes organic produce and eggs in their meal kits, and works with local farmers on sourcing products. They keep animal welfare in mind and the proteins contained in the meal kits come from animals that have been raised with high welfare standards.

Healthy Meal Kit Delivery with Green Chef

If you would like to try-out an eco-friendly meal kit, Green Chef is a great option! Green Chef meals are easy, healthy and tasty! Choose the meal plan that best serves your individual or family’s nutritional needs including: Keto + Paleo, Plant-Powered or Balanced Living. Click here to learn more about Green Chef and get a special discount on your first order!

Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344919301703?via%3Dihub

https://www.corrconcepts.com/sustainability-101/why-sustainability/

Smoked Mozzarella Pasta

I am not taking credit for this recipe as I got the idea from Whole Foods. I used to love getting some of their Smoked Mozzarella Pasta from the salad bar, but since changing my diet and lifestyle for lyme disease a lot of the ingredients don't mesh with me anymore. I wanted to come up with a healthier version of this pasta, so I got creative in the kitchen, because seriously that's what I do for fun!  

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 box of organic penne (I used the 365 brand)
• 2-3 thick slices of mozzarella or 1/3 of a block of smoked mozzarella 
• 1 red pepper
• 1 cup of chopped spinach
• 3/4 cup of plan-based mayo (I used Earth's Balance)
• 1/4 cup of organic white wine vinegar
• Handful of fresh parsley
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 garlic clove
• Olive oil
• Pink salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Boil water and cook the penne pasta based on the box instructions. When pasta is done rinse noodles with cool water so they don't stick when refrigerated. 
2. Cut-up red bell pepper into small pieces or strips, chop up spinach. Cut mozzarella into small square pieces and set aside.
3. Add a drizzle of olive oil to pan on medium heat and add the red pepper and spinach, cover with lid. Let cook until tender, can remove the lid for 3-4 minutes and let finish cooking.
4. To make the sauce: in a bowl combine the 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 3/4 cup plant-based mayo, 1 tsp chili powder, fresh parsley, 1 pressed garlic clove, and 1 tsp red pepper flakes, stir well. Taste and if vinegar is too potent can add a little more of the plant-based mayo or some water to help lower the acidity. Add pink salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine the sauce, cooked vegetables and the noodles and stir in the mozzarella chunks. Can add additional red pepper flakes for more spice. 
6. Let the pasta salad cool and set in the refrigerator, preferably overnight, but a few hours will do the trick. 

Taco Lasagna

Taco Lasagna: A mexican twist on the traditional comfort food! And it will fill-up the family for more than one dinner! I used all organic ingredients. If you are vegetarian, leave out the meat and add extra beans. For vegan or dairy-free use all beans and a plant or nut based cheese instead. 

Ingredients:

-Small corn shells
-1lb grass fed ground beef
-1/2 package of mild shredded cheddar (I like the thicker 365 brand bc melts like mozzarella)
-1 can garbanzo beans
-1 can black beans
-2 bell peppers (color of your choice)
-1 handful of romaine lettuce
-1 handful of fresh parsley
-Organic taco seasoning packet
-1 Tsp cumin
-1/2 an avocado
-1 container of salsa (I prefer the 365 black bean corn salsa)

RECIPE:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Brown the ground beef on stove top, mix with taco seasoning. At the same time add a drizzle of olive oil and heat can of garbanzo beans, black beans and diced bell peppers with cumin in a pan on low to medium heat. 

2. Once meat is done add the bell pepper/bean mixture to the the meat pan and stir. Add jar of salsa and mix well. 

3. Spray the bottom of Pyrex dish or wipe with olive oil. Add 6 corn tortilla shells for the bottom layer. Then top with the meat mixture, then cover with shredded cheese. After that, repeat the next layer by adding another 6 shells, then meat mixture, then cheese. 

4. Cook in oven at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until shells are crispy. Let cool and top with chopped romaine lettuce, cilantro and diced Avocado--can also drizzle on some fresh lyme juice. Cut with a knife and serve with spatula like lasagna.

ALMOND FLOUR PANCKAES

This recipe is so quick and easy, even if you’re on-the-go in the morning you can have time to whip these up! This recipe is gluten free and dairy free.

Recipe:

-1 1/2 cup almond flour

-3 cage free organic eggs

-1 TBS plant based butter

-1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk or water (could add up to 1 cup depending on desired consistency)

-ground cinnamon

-optional fresh fruit & organic maple syrup for toppings

Directions:

Mix together 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 3 eggs and up to 1 cup of almond milk or water. I prefer to use a Pyrex measuring pitcher and whisk to mix together. Add TBS of butter to stove top pan and heat up. Once heated, carefully pour on the mixed-up batter. Make sure to flip pancakes with a spatula a few times to evenly cook. Top with cinnamon and blueberries or strawberries with organic maple syrup. Enjoy!

**If you can eat dairy could also add mini dark or milk chocolate chips to batter for chocolate chip pancakes.**