Your Guide to Skipping a Food Bag Delivery
Many people sign up for food bag subscriptions for the convenience, but life's unpredictability—such as vacations, last-minute dinners out, or a stocked fridge—means you may need to press pause on your weekly delivery. Instead of canceling your entire service, skipping a single week is a flexible solution that keeps your account active. The process is straightforward and typically managed from your online account or mobile app. The most crucial factor is understanding and adhering to your specific provider's deadline for changes.
Accessing Your Account to Make Changes
To begin, you will need to log into your meal kit account. For most providers, this can be done through their website or a dedicated mobile app. Your dashboard or account settings area is the hub for managing all aspects of your subscription, including skipping weeks, changing meal selections, and updating delivery information. If you're using a mobile app, look for a 'My Account' or 'Settings' tab, which is often found by tapping your profile icon or a menu button in the corner of the screen.
How to Skip a Week on Popular Meal Kits
Here’s a general overview of the process for several major food bag services. While the exact wording might differ, the core steps are very similar across platforms.
- HelloFresh: Log in and navigate to the 'My Menu' or 'My Account' section. You can view your upcoming deliveries and skip any week up to four weeks in advance. Just be sure to do so before the weekly cutoff, which is typically five days before your scheduled delivery.
- Blue Apron: Go to the 'Orders' page on their website or app. Select the order you wish to skip and click 'Manage order' and then 'Skip.' The deadline is usually about five days before your normal delivery day.
- EveryPlate: Access the 'My Menu' page on the website or find the three dots in the top right corner of the app for the desired week. Select 'Skip Week.' EveryPlate often allows you to skip several weeks at once. Remember to complete this action before the cutoff, which is five days before delivery.
- Marley Spoon: Log in and head to the 'Orders' section. Find the week you want to skip and choose 'Skip this order.' You can also use the 'Pause or Stop Subscription' feature for a longer break. Deadlines are crucial, often seven or eight days before delivery depending on your region.
Comparison of Skipping Policies
| Meal Kit Service | Max Weeks to Skip | Change Deadline (before delivery) | Method to Skip | Flexibility Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloFresh | Up to 4 weeks | 5 days | Website or App ('My Menu') | Automatic deliveries will resume after the skipped period. |
| Blue Apron | Up to 5 weeks | ~5 days | Website or App ('Orders') | Can manage individual orders or change overall frequency. |
| EveryPlate | Multiple weeks | 5 days | Website ('My Menu') or App | Can skip multiple weeks at once; deliveries will resume automatically. |
| Marley Spoon | Multiple weeks | 7-8 days | Website or App ('Orders') | Offers both individual skips and extended 'pause' options. |
| Home Chef | Indefinite | Friday 12PM CT | Website ('Account Settings') or App | You must skip week-by-week, but there is no limit to how many you can skip. |
Important Considerations Before Skipping
- Check the Deadline: This is the most important step. Each service has a specific cutoff time, and missing it means you will be charged for and receive the next box. Check your account's 'Upcoming' deliveries page to find the exact deadline for each week.
- Confirm the Action: After you click 'Skip' or 'Pause,' most services will provide a confirmation message on the screen or send a confirmation email. It’s a good practice to check for this confirmation to ensure your request was processed correctly.
- Set a Reminder: If you plan on skipping multiple weeks, or if you have a variable schedule, it is wise to set a personal calendar reminder. This ensures you don't forget to manage your subscription before the next cutoff date. Some meal kits, like HelloFresh, only allow skipping a limited number of weeks at once, requiring a new check-in later.
- Reactivating Your Account: If you choose to pause your account for an extended period, you will need to re-activate it when you are ready to resume. The process is usually as simple as logging back in and selecting the option to start deliveries again.
Conclusion
Skipping a week on your food bag subscription is a simple and common practice that all major meal kit services support. By logging into your account, navigating to your upcoming deliveries, and selecting the 'skip' option before the deadline, you can prevent unwanted boxes and charges. Being aware of the specific policies and cutoff times for your chosen service is key to hassle-free management. For the most detailed, up-to-date information, consulting the provider's official support page is always the best resource, such as the help section on the Blue Apron website for its members.
