Freshly, a popular meal delivery service, is often praised for its convenient and healthy ready-to-eat meals. But one common concern among potential users is whether you have to order Freshly on a weekly basis. The short answer is no, you do not have to place a recurring weekly order. However, to fully understand the flexibility (and limitations) that Freshly offers, we’ll explore its ordering policies, available pricing tiers, subscription models, and how it stacks up against other meal delivery services. This comprehensive guide will ensure you’re making an informed decision based on your lifestyle and dietary needs.
Understanding Freshly’s Core Business Model
Before diving into the question of consistency in orders, it’s crucial to understand how Freshly operates. Unlike some grocery delivery services or meal kit companies like Blue Apron or HelloFresh, which require users to commit to weekly meal plans, Freshly delivers pre-prepared (not DIY) meals that are refrigerated and can be reheated and eaten within a couple of minutes.
Their business model is built around convenience and simplicity. You choose the number of meals you want (typically 4 to 12 meals per week), select your favorite recipes (such as balsamic chicken glaze, buffalo cauliflower bowls, or turkey alfredo zucchini pasta), and receive them delivered directly to your doorstep in insulated packaging with ice packs.
Freshly is designed primarily as a weekly service, but it’s not mandatory.
This subtle difference is where many users get confused. Let’s clarify how ordering works and how much flexibility users have when deciding how often to receive meals.
Is Weekly Order Required on Freshly?
Let’s address this central question directly.
Short Answer: No Weekly Commitment
You do not have to order Freshly meals every single week. The service offers flexibility for users who prefer ordering sporadically. Whether you want to start with a one-time delivery of six meals or skip a week due to traveling or dining out, Freshly allows you to adjust your meal plan or skip delivery at any time.
Where Flexibility Counts
You have complete control over your account and meal preferences via the Freshly app or website. Some key flexibilities include:
- Skip a week: Easily skip a scheduled week without canceling your account.
- Cancel anytime: There’s no locked-in contract or fee for leaving the service.
- Modify frequency: Choose delivery every few weeks rather than weekly, depending on your needs.
- Change meal quantity: Whether moving from six to ten meals a week or vice versa, you can adjust before each delivery cycle.
This is in contrast to some meal plans that come with auto-renewal clauses or weekly minimums. For example, some meal kits do not allow consumers to reduce their weekly order frequency without canceling the program entirely.
How Skipping Works on Freshly
If you decide not to order for a particular week, the process is user-friendly. Once logged into your account on the Freshly website, you can navigate to your upcoming orders and select the “Skip Week” option. According to Freshly, skipping a week does not affect your ability to log in and place an order the following week or any time after.
Does Skipping Affect Pricing?
No. Regardless of how often you place an order (weekly, biweekly, or monthly), Freshly maintains its pricing structure consistently. Currently, the pricing ranges between $8–12 per meal, depending on the number of meals you select (e.g., ordering 12 meals per week vs. ordering four).
Why Many Users Think Weekly Orders Are Required
Although Freshly offers flexibility, the perception that weekly commitment is mandatory persists in some pockets of online communities and user forums. This misconception stems from a few key points:
1. Promotional Messaging
Freshly often markets its subscription with a focus on weekly deliveries, emphasizing ease and regularity. For example, “Your meals delivered on time every week.” These promotions give the impression of a recurring weekly obligation, but the truth is that all of this is entirely user-controlled.
2. Health and Meal Planning Routines
People often align their meal delivery orders with their nutrition planning. It’s easier for many to integrate healthy eating habits by having meals delivered weekly. This doesn’t mean you’re locked into this schedule, just that consumers often find the service most useful when ordered regularly.
3. Default Settings
For users who signed up through their customer portal with default weekly settings, they may not realize they can turn off automatic renewals or skip weeks. It’s generally well hidden under the subscription management section, and not heavily advertised — another source of confusion.
What If You Want to Try Freshly Once?
If you’re curious about whether Freshly is right for your lifestyle but hesitant to commit to a recurring schedule, you’re in luck.
One-Time Orders Are Possible
While many meal-prep services encourage customers to sign up on a recurring basis, Freshly gives you the option to order just once. You can try your first week of meals and then decide if you want them delivered again. This feature reduces the barriers to entry and allows for experimentation without long-term commitment.
What to Expect from a One-Time Order
By placing a one-time order, you are not enrolling in a subscription plan for the following week. You will receive a single shipment of your selected meals. However, you can re-order at any time by logging into your account or creating a new subscription based on future needs.
This is also a great option for those using Freshly as a temporary convenience while recovering from surgery, preparing for busy work weeks, or testing the waters before committing to a consistent routine.
How Does Freshly Compare to Other Meal Delivery Services?
Let’s put Freshly’s flexibility into context by comparing it side-by-side with other top meal delivery companies.
| Meal Service | Recurring Weekly Order? | One-Time Order? | Automatic Renewal? | Easy to Skip or Cancel? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshly | No | Yes | No (no subscriptions) | Yes |
| HelloFresh | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Blue Apron | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| SunBasket | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Factor (formerly Factor 75) | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, most major companies require a weekly commitment unless otherwise specified. However, Freshly stands out by allowing both recurring and single-time deliveries — which is a rarity in the pre-made meal category.
Why This Matters
This comparison is important because it helps you decide if Freshly is a better fit for your goals if flexibility is important to you. For example, if you’re a digital nomad traveling every couple of weeks or a parent with unpredictable routines, Freshly’s lack of mandatory weekly orders gives you peace of mind. You can plan meals without being locked into a fixed system.
Factors That Influence the Decision to Order Weekly or Less Often
Why do many users end up ordering Freshly weekly, even though they’re not required to? Several factors influence their decision-making process.
Nutritional Convenience
Freshly markets balanced meals with proteins, vegetables, and grains for diets like keto, vegan, and paleo. For people committed to healthy eating, having meals delivered weekly simplifies life and makes it easier to avoid last-minute takeout.
Budget and Meal Price
The cost per meal is generally consistent — the more meals you order each week, the lower the unit cost. So for those who order regularly, weekly plans can be more economical than ordering biweekly or less frequently.
Meal Variety and Rotation
Freshly offers new recipes weekly. Ordering on a consistent schedule allows you to enjoy meal rotation and variety, which enhances the user experience. Skipping weeks could mean missing out on seasonal dishes.
Dietary Planning and Grocery Avoidance
Many Freshly users rely on the service to reduce grocery shopping trips, save cooking time, and maintain portion control. Weekly ordering aligns with that goal.
When Weekly Orders Make Sense
While there’s no obligation to order every week, there are scenarios where weekly Freshly meal plans will benefit your lifestyle more than skipping weeks:
Routine-Based Lifestyle
For people with consistent workweeks, morning routines, and predictable schedules, having meals arrive weekly ensures they have nutritious choices readily available.
Busy Time Constraints
If work or family activities leave little time for planning or preparing meals, Freshly can become a weekly time-saver.
Budget Planning
Those who track their spending weekly can budget accordingly for a set meal plan and avoid unexpected weekly costs from eating out.
When Skipping Weeks Benefits You
Conversely, there are many situations where skipping a week with Freshly is perfectly reasonable and beneficial:
- You’re going on vacation.
- You’re hosting the family and have alternate meal plans.
- You receive homemade meals from friends or family for a few days.
- You’re trying other services or recipes for a trial period.
The key takeaway here is that skipping a delivery doesn’t lock you out from future orders.
Tips to Make the Most of Freshly Without Weekly Pressure
If you like the flexibility of ordering infrequently, here are some strategies for getting the most out of Freshly without committing weekly:
- Use meal planning apps. Sync Freshly orders with personal health goals and integrate into your calendar for optimal timing.
- Try the 6-meal trial pack. This is a great way to determine personal preferences and see how frequently you’ll actually need deliveries.
- Monitor your usage patterns. After a couple of deliveries, you might find that ordering every other week is more cost-effective than weekly if you frequently have leftovers.
- Stock your fridge smartly. If you skip weeks, keep healthy refrigerated options, like eggs, salad kits, or pre-portioned meals, to bridge the gaps.
- Check for discounts and promo codes. Freshly offers occasional sign-up deals or promotions — these can add up if you order irregularly but strategically.
These strategies position Freshly as a more adaptable part of your overall lifestyle rather than a rigid routine.
Can You Cancel Without Consequences?
If you decide after a trial or regular usage that Freshly isn’t for you, you might wonder about cancellation policies.
Yes, and It’s Easy
There is no contract or cancellation fee involved. Freshly allows you to cancel your service at any time directly from your account settings. Once canceled, you will not be billed after your current cycle ends.
You won’t receive additional boxes unless you reactivate your plan, which you can do anytime in the future.
No Auto-Renewal for Weekly Orders
One unique feature of Freshly, compared to other services, is that they don’t have an automatic renewal set by default unless you decide to set it. You may have to manually schedule future deliveries unless preferences dictate otherwise. While this can initially seem inconvenient, it actually gives more control over your account to avoid surprise charges.
Summary: Yes, Flexible Delivery Frequency, No Weekly Requirement
To answer the question: No, you are not required to order Freshly every week. You can choose to skip weeks, place one-time orders, or cancel entirely without penalty.
As a service that blends nutrition, convenience, and affordability, Freshly offers unparalleled flexibility in the ready-made meal space. Whether you’re a health-conscious individual, a time-crunched parent, or someone who simply enjoys variety in meals, Freshly enables you to customize your ordering frequency according to your priorities.
About the Author
This article was crafted by a health and lifestyle writer focused on simplifying food delivery and nutrition planning. With reviews covering a wide range of meal services — from vegan meal plans to high-protein options — we help everyday people choose the best fit for their health, budget, and schedule.
If you’re looking for flexibility in meal delivery options and an easy-to-use platform with full transparency, Freshly can be a smart investment in your routine, without binding weekly commitments.
Can I place an order only when I need it, or is there a weekly commitment?
You are not required to place an order every week. Our service is designed to give you full flexibility, allowing you to order when it suits your schedule and needs. You can choose to skip weeks, change delivery dates, or even pause your subscription for a period of time. This flexibility ensures that you are in control of your purchasing habits without the pressure of a mandatory weekly commitment.
Whether you’re going on vacation, hosting guests, or just adjusting your routine, you can tailor your orders accordingly. We encourage you to review and update your preferences in your account settings ahead of each delivery cycle to ensure everything aligns with your current lifestyle. The goal is to make your experience convenient and stress-free without compromising quality or choice.
Is it possible to customize my order each week?
Yes, your orders can be customized every week to suit your preferences. Our platform allows you to choose specific items, adjust quantities, and even swap out products based on your dietary needs or wants. This means you can have a completely different selection each week depending on what works best for you and your household.
Customization is simple through our user-friendly portal, where you can make changes up until the cutoff time for each delivery. This adaptability allows you to maintain variety, cater to changing schedules, or try new products without being locked into a repetitive selection. The aim is to provide you with a personalized and satisfying experience every time.
What happens if I forget to place an order for a given week?
If you forget to place an order for a specific week, we recommend checking the cutoff time associated with your delivery schedule as it may still be possible to submit your order. Our cutoff times are typically set a few days before delivery to ensure we can source and prepare your products in time. If you still miss this window, don’t worry—there is no penalty, and you can simply place an order the following week.
Additionally, we encourage you to set up email reminders or use the calendar feature in your account to stay on track. Missing a week occasionally is perfectly normal and understanding flexibility is part of the service we provide. You won’t lose your account or benefits by skipping, so returning the next week is always an option without any issues.
Do I have to stick to the same delivery day every week?
You aren’t locked into the same delivery day forever. While we generally require a consistent delivery schedule to ensure the most efficient logistics, you can change your delivery day at any time through your account settings. We provide a few options during registration and allow adjustments in advance for added convenience.
However, please note that changes should be made before the weekly cutoff point to avoid missing a delivery. If you have a special circumstance or need a temporary adjustment mid-week, reach out to our support team for assistance. Our objective is to make the experience adaptable and hassle-free, accommodating shifts in your life without being overly restrictive.
What are the advantages of ordering weekly versus less frequently?
Ordering weekly ensures that you’re receiving the freshest possible ingredients, especially in the case of produce, dairy, and other perishables. This can be particularly valuable if you’re prioritizing nutrition, dietary variety, or meal prepping. In addition, placing weekly orders allows you to adjust your selections based on current meals or recipes you plan to make, reducing food waste and promoting thoughtful consumption.
On the other hand, ordering less frequently can be appealing for those with a predictable meal plan or a desire to minimize the time spent managing orders. Ultimately, the decision depends on your lifestyle, dietary habits, and how much flexibility you need. Our system supports both approaches while ensuring high-quality standards regardless of your chosen frequency.
Can I cancel my subscription if I no longer want to order regularly?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty or questions asked. If you decide that our service no longer fits your needs, simply log into your account and follow the cancellation steps or reach out to our customer support team for assistance. There are no long-term obligations or hidden fees—canceling is a straightforward process.
However, cancellation doesn’t have to be permanent. If you return at a later date, your account history and preferences can often be restored upon reactivation. We value your trust and aim to create a transparent and respectful experience, which includes respecting your right to make changes when needed.
How do I know which items will be available each week?
The availability of items each week depends on a combination of seasonal factors, supply chain logistics, and freshness guarantees. To ensure you receive the best quality products, our team carefully curates the offerings each week based on these variables. You can view the current week’s product selections in your account as well as in advance previews when available.
We recommend logging in regularly to see the updated menu and make your choices early to ensure availability and delivery on your preferred schedule. If you have specific dietary needs or preferences, we also offer filtering tools and alerts to keep you informed about product changes. The curation process is designed to maximize both freshness and variety, giving you a reliable and flexible shopping experience.