Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Carbon Neutrality

    How did Blue Apron achieve Carbon Neutrality?

    Blue Apron met its commitment to achieve its carbon neutrality goals l by March 31, 2022, offsetting Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.  We achieved our goal through the purchase of carbon offsets, based on an initial carbon footprint analysis, and we are now working towards implementing systematic reductions towards a longer term goal of Net Zero.

     

    What does it mean to be Carbon Neutral?

    Everything we do that produces carbon dioxide -- from driving to powering our offices and fulfillment centers and more -- makes up our carbon footprint. Being carbon neutral means that a company has found a balance between what they emit in greenhouse gasses and solutions to offset those emissions.

     

    What does it mean to be Net Zero?

    Net Zero requires companies to shift from only purchasing offsets to implementing systematic changes that lower the overall carbon they are emitting. Since Blue Apron has conducted our initial carbon footprint analysis, we now have a better understanding of opportunities for  reduction and are currently working on establishing a plan to address those opportunities.

     

    Why is Blue Apron doing this now? Why does it matter?

    As a business, we believe that we need to make changes that will help us address the climate crisis our world is facing. Now, more than ever, we believe it’s important for us to leverage our skills, capability and experience to help address some of society’s toughest challenges.

     

    For us, sustainability has always been part of our DNA and we believe that it’s important to conduct our business in a way that mitigates our impact on the world around us.

     

    What does Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 cover?

    • Scope 1 (direct emissions). Refers to greenhouse gas emissions directly from operations owned or controlled by us, including our fulfillment centers and offices. 
    • Scope 2 (indirect emissions). Generated from the purchase of electricity, steam, heating or cooling. 
    • Scope 3 (indirect emissions). We included 8 categories from both upstream and downstream, including purchased goods and services.
  • What is your animal welfare policy?

    Blue Apron is committed to the humane treatment of animals raised for meat and poultry and providing our customers with high-quality ingredients that they can feel good about. 

    At the core of our Animal Welfare Policy is the Five Freedoms, a set of principles adopted by the World Organization for Animal Health that seeks to ensure the physical and mental well-being of animals under human control. The Five Freedoms are:

    • Freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst
    • Freedom from fear and distress
    • Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
    • Freedom from pain, injury and disease
    • Freedom to express normal patterns of behavior

    We aspire to the Five Freedoms and animals’ physical and mental well-being by prioritizing enriched environments, pasture-based farming and other means of allowing animals to exhibit their natural behaviors in all of our meat and egg sourcing.

    We also recognize that on their own, the Five Freedoms do not guarantee improved farm animal welfare. That’s why we’ve decided to align our animal welfare goals with recognized animal welfare certifications such as Certified Humane Raised and Handled ® and Global Animal Partnership. At Blue Apron, we’re committed to transparency and want our customers to be confident knowing what goes into their boxes. These animal welfare certifications required third-party, on-farm inspections, so you can trust that animals were raised according to science-based standards for improved animal welfare.

    For more details about our policy, please visit: https://blog.blueapron.com/blue-aprons-animal-welfare-policy/

  • How long does the food stay fresh?

    To ensure optimal freshness, we advise that you unpack your ingredients into your fridge as soon as possible once they arrive. For information on how to store and handle ingredients, follow this link to learn more. 

    We’re committed to our Freshness Guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied with the quality of one or more of your ingredients within 7 days of receiving your delivery, please let us know and we’ll be happy to make it right.

  • Where do you source your ingredients?

    We take pride in sourcing the high quality ingredients from our network of farmers, fisheries and ranchers. We work with more than 100 family­-run farms that use sustainable farming practices, such as Reeves Farm, Vermont Creamery, and Sun Noodle.

    Our suppliers never use any added hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and Blue Apron’s seafood is certified “Best Choice” or “Good Alternative” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch – a highly respected non-profit organization recognized as an authority on seafood sustainability. 

    If you'd like to learn more about our sourcing philosophy, follow this link. For information on our animal welfare standards, follow this link.

  • What are your standards for the use of antibiotics and hormones?

    Our farmers and ranchers raise animals with care and respect, and never use any sub-therapeutic antibiotics. Blue Apron requires that all of its meat, poultry and egg suppliers promptly treat animals in the rare event that they become sick and their welfare requires it.

    Additionally, none of our suppliers support the use of any growth promoters, such as added hormones*, sub-therapeutic antibiotics, or beta-agonists. 

    *Federal law prohibits the use of added hormones in poultry and pork.

  • Are your dairy ingredients pasteurized?

    Most of the dairy products used in each of our recipes are made with pasteurized milk or cream.

    However, cheese may be made with raw or pasteurized milk. Certain specialty cheese, like Grana Padano,  is subject to specific requirements under EU law and must be made with raw milk and aged for a minimum of 60 days in accordance with US regulations. All the cheese we source meets FDA guidelines for food safety.

  • Are your ingredients organic?

    Some of our ingredients are USDA certified organic. We’re committed to sending high quality ingredients in every delivery and support farmers who use sustainable farming practices. 

  • What are your standards for seafood?

    Sustainable fishing is critical to protect the Earth’s natural supply of seafood. We partner with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, a highly respected non-profit organization recognized as an authority on seafood sustainability, and only source seafood that Seafood Watch has rated “Best Choice” or “Good Alternative,” or that has a comparable third-party verified sustainability certification (Marine Stewardship Council, Best Aquaculture Practices or Aquaculture Stewardship Council). 

     

    We also believe in transparency and giving our customers the opportunity to learn more about where their food comes from, and have joined The Ocean Disclosure Project, where anyone can view the country of origin, catch or production method and sustainability rating of our seafood. Please visit Blue Apron’s [Ocean Disclosure Project page](https://oceandisclosureproject.org/companies/blue-apron) to learn more.

  • What are your standards for egg producers?

    The pasture-raised eggs that we source from our supplier, Vital Farms, meet the Certified Humane® standards defined by Humane Farm Animal Care, a non-profit organization for animal welfare. Pasture-raised hens are free to roam and forage outdoors, dining on a mixed diet of grass, bugs and natural vegetation.

    Vital Farms, based in Austin, TX, works with over 140 family farms to provide pasture-raised eggs across the country. At the core of their business, they practice high standards in animal welfare, producing eggs that they’re proud of and consumers will enjoy.

    For more information on our egg supplier, please visit www.vitalfarms.com.