When 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.”
In June last year, FreshRealm recalled ready-to-eat chicken alfredo meals sold at Walmart, Kroger and under the meal kit Home Chef due to listeria concerns. Later, the recall expanded across multiple brands after a separate recall was announced by food distributor Snow Pac for spinach contaminated with listeria. That contaminated spinach was potentially used in additional ready-to-eat meals prepared by FreshRealm, including some sold under the Blue Apron, Marley Spoon and HelloFresh names.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 28 people were sickened, and seven died due to the listeria outbreak.
