GoKawiilWhen you order a meal kit, it arrives in a box with the brand name plastered on it. But what you may not realize is that a separate food distributor often stands behind the brand. For years, FreshRealm has been linked to major meal kit companies, including Blue Apron. But now, after FreshRealm filed for bankruptcy this week, the future of Blue Apron's supply chain is in limbo.
In a press release, FreshRealm announced the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, citing "a significant ingredient supply disruption in 2025 that materially impacted the company's operations and financial performance."
Last year, FreshRealm recalled numerous ready-to-eat chicken alfredo meals due to listeria concerns, including one under the Home Chef meal kit brand. The recall later expanded after food distributor Snow Pac recalled spinach contaminated with listeria, which was potentially used in ready-to-eat meals prepared by FreshRealm, including some sold under HelloFresh. One ready-to-eat meal each from Blue Apron and Marley Spoon, also produced by FreshRealm, was later included in a public health alert from the Food Safety and Inspection Service over potentially contaminated riced cauliflower.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 28 people were sickened, and seven died due to the listeria outbreak, which has now ended.
Will Blue Apron offerings change?
Roasted salmon and veggies from Blue Apron. Corin Cesaric-Epple/CNET
In the near future, things will most likely look the same for Blue Apron, as FreshRealm awaits court approval of the bankruptcy filing.
According to the press release from FreshRealm, the two companies have reached an agreement for FreshRealm to finish its contractual obligations before Blue Apron exits the agreement and transitions to a new fulfillment provider.
Blue Apron is expected to transition to working with Misfits Market as its food distributor, CNET has learned.
Misfits Market said in a statement that it will provide "end-to-end fulfillment services for Blue Apron meal kits," pending bankruptcy court approval. It adds that Misfits Market's priority is "ensuring Blue Apron customers continue to receive high-quality meal kits as we build out fulfillment capabilities on Misfits Market's own platform and infrastructure."
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