FAQ

What are my options when getting started with a V+B program?

That’s a question we love – how do I buy your stuff? Well, don’t fret, we’ve built in plenty of flexibility so that you can find a program that best fits your schedule and needs:

First, you’ll have the option to select between a one week trial program and a weekly subscription. Our weekly subscriptions save you $1.50 per meal (about 12%) and can be paused, modified or cancelled at any time. In either case, delivery is always free.

Second, you will select your meal preference – Vegetable’s Basket (vegan-friendly) or Butcher’s Box (non-vegan; paleo-friendly). But don’t worry, our entire menu is gluten-, dairy- and egg-free, so you can rest assured that you’re getting clean and wholesome ingredients. We can also accommodate other major allergens. See the Food + Nutrition section of our FAQs for additional details.

Third, you’ll choose which meals you’d like to receive. Here, you’ll have the option to order breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. When determining what will work best for you, try to think about the times of the day when you’re the busiest. Busy with kids in the morning and evening? Tied up in one of those ever-so-productive meetings during the lunch hour? Or just flat out don’t want to cook? It’s ok, we’ve got you covered. Find what best suits your schedule so that you can spend less time cooking and cleaning and more time on what’s important – taking care of you.

Finally, choose the frequency. Here you can elect to receive two, four, or six days’ worth of meals. We deliver on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. For additional information about delivery, see the Delivery section of our FAQs.

Which program do you recommend for first time users?

EVERYTHING. (Joke). We recommend a weekly subscription to four days of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here’s why:

Firstly, a weekly subscription saves you money and can easily be paused, modified or cancelled, if necessary. C’mon, it just makes sense.

Secondarily, four days’ of meals will give you an opportunity to taste a variety of dishes to make sure that you enjoy our food (psst… we’re certain that you will).

Finally, by electing to receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will gain insight into the meticulous nature with which we structure our daily menus. We give careful consideration to the flavor profile and nutrient composition of the various dishes to ensure that we create cohesive and balanced daily menus. Our goal is to have you looking, feeling and performing your best, which is why we structure such thoughtful recipes and menus.

Trust us, after four days of living the V+B life, you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t start sooner.

What can I expect from living the V+B life?

Expect to look, feel and perform your best – both mentally and physically. Our goal is to be the best versions of ourselves, which is ultimately why we started V+B. For some, this may mean shedding a few excess pounds. For others, this may mean edging closer to optimal performance, whether at work or in the gym. Next step, CEO + Olympic gold medalist.

In our experience, customers who commit to V+B for 21 days receive the best results. Research suggests that it takes about three weeks to form a new habit. Commit to V+B for 21 days and you’ll be well on your way to looking, feeling and performing your best.

Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?

Absolutely. We have incredibly high standards here at V+B, but we’re not perfect. If we make a mistake, we are committed to always making things right. If you are ever unsatisfied with any part of your V+B experience, please connect with us at hello@vegetableandbutcher.com.

Do you offer corporate catering and/or subscriptions?

Yes!  We just recently [un]officially launched our corporate catering and subscriptions platform.  We're still in the early stages, so all corporate subscriptions will be handled personally.  Please contact Haley, our Community Manager, at haley@vegetableandbutcher.com to get the process started.  We look forward to partnering with you soon!

When can I begin? And when is the latest I can place an order for the following week?

All of our programs begin on Monday. In order to secure a spot for the following week, your order must be placed by Friday at midnight (EST). The sooner you place your order, the better. We do occasionally sell out.

How much does each meal cost?

Our prices vary depending on which program you select.  With V+B, the more you order, the more you save.  And delivery is always free!

For our Weekly Subscription, prices start at $11.00 per meal (plant protein) and $12.00 per meal (animal protein) if you order breakfast, lunch + dinner for the entire week.  The most you'll ever pay while subscribing is $12.50 per meal (plant protein) and $13.50 per meal (animal protein).  Subscription plans can be paused, modified or cancelled at any time, so there's NO commitment and you're never locked in.

Our One Week Trial plan starts at $12.50 per meal (plant protein) and $13.50 per meal (animal protein) if you order breakfast, lunch + dinner for the entire week.  The most you'll ever pay is $14.00 per meal (plant protein) and $15.00 per meal (animal protein).

Our pricing structure is tiered for a couple of reasons:  First and foremost, we want you to order more meals per week (duh!).  Joke (sort of).  In all seriousness, when you order more meals (and we can deliver more meals to you at one time), our delivery cost per meal is lower.  We like to pass those savings on to you.  We also know that the more V+B you eat, the better you'll feel.  Plus, it's nice to be spoiled with more time + good food that's good for you!

Can I mix vegan and non-vegan meal plans?

Unfortunately, not at this time. We currently offer two meal programs: Vegetable’s Basket (vegan-friendly) and Butcher’s Box (non-vegan; paleo-friendly). If you select our Vegetable’s Basket program, all of your meals will be vegan. If you select our Butcher’s Box program, your lunch and dinner dishes will include animal protein. All breakfast items are currently vegan.  You CAN, however, order one of each if you're a vegan + non-vegan household (that's what we do!).

Will you accommodate my food allergy and/or dietary restriction?

Absolutely.  Our entire menu is free of gluten, dairy and egg, but if you have an additional allergy or dietary consideration, please let us know during the checkout process (we have a box specifically for this purpose).  To learn more about the specific allergens and dietary restrictions that we accommodate, please refer to the Food + Nutrition section of our FAQs.

How do I apply a promo or discount code?

Wait, where’d you find one of those? Lucky you. Promo codes can be entered during the stage of the checkout process where you enter your shipping address.  On the right of the screen will be an order summary with a section dedicated to discount/promo codes.

How do I pause, modify or cancel my subscription?

We’re not telling. (Joke, of course). Don’t worry, it’s easy. In the My Account page, click on the Manage Subscriptions link on the left-hand side of the screen.  Here, you can edit your current subscription, skip certain weeks by visiting your Delivery Schedule, or cancel your subscription altogether (don't do it!).

Where do you deliver?

We initially launched in just two zip codes in Washington, DC – 20002 and 20003 – but we have received such positive feedback from all of you that we're starting to expand! We're now covering most of NE, SE and SW, and have expanded to parts of NW. We're even starting to deliver to VA! If we do not yet service your area, click here to input your email address and zip code and we'll notify you as soon as fresh, nutritious meals can be delivered directly to your doorstep.

Do you deliver to residential and commercial addresses?

Absolutely. We will deliver your meals to you at home or at work. Just let us know what works best and we’ll take care of the rest.

What is the delivery schedule? And how does delivery work?

We offer three options that give you the flexibility to choose what works best for your schedule:

Reset: Our 2-Day Program
On Monday, you’ll receive your meals for Monday and Tuesday.

Challenge: Our 4-Day Program
On Monday, you’ll receive your meals for Monday and Tuesday.
On Wednesday, you’ll receive your meals for Wednesday and Thursday.

Transform: Our 6-Day Program
On Monday, you’ll receive your meals for Monday and Tuesday.
On Wednesday, you’ll receive your meals for Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, you’ll receive your meals for Friday and Saturday.

How long will my meals last?

Depends. Did you forget to pay your electricity bill? If not, your meals should last for several days in the refrigerator and even longer in the freezer. But for optimal freshness and flavor, we recommend eating your meals on their designated days.

At what time will my meals be delivered?

All meals are delivered between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 AM so that you can wake up to delicious, nutritious meals at your doorstep.  You'll receive an email confirmation shortly after your delivery has been made.

Can you make sure to deliver to me before a specified time?  What if I need my delivery before 6:00 AM?

Absolutely. During the checkout process, there is an option to provide special delivery instructions, such as “I need my delivery before 6:00 AM” or “please leave the food behind the plant on my doorstep” or "you guys are the BEST" (don't worry, we know). We want to do what we can to accommodate your busy schedule, so please just let us know how we can best serve you. All we ask is that you have a safe and secure location for us to place your meals.

How is the food delivered? And will the food ever come frozen?

Your meals will be delivered in a zipped insulated grocery bag with an ice pack to ensure that your food stays fresh for hours. Your food always come fresh and is never frozen. We want to make sure you get the best possible experience when enjoying your V+B meals, which is why we deliver no more than two days’ worth of meals at a time and why our food is never frozen.

What should I do with my meals once I receive them?

We recommend keeping your meals refrigerated until you’re ready to eat. All of our meals come pre-cooked and ready-to-eat, so you can eat them chilled or at room temperature, if you prefer. Some meals, however, taste better after a quick reheat in the microwave, stovetop or oven. Suggestions for how to enjoy your meals will be listed on each label.

Can I sign up only to receive meals only on Wednesday and Thursday?

Technically, no. We do not yet have a way to automate this process. BUT, since you've taken the time to read through our FAQs (and because you're special to us), we'd be happy to get you started on a Wednesday. If you leave a note in the delivery instructions box at checkout or if you email us at hello@vegetableandbutcher.com with special instructions, we'll get you started on a Wednesday.

What should I do with the delivery bags and ice packs?

Eat them, silly. They’re edible. (Joke. Please don’t try this). Please leave bags and ice packs from prior deliveries with your delivery driver (or wherever you typically have your meals delivered). We try to eliminate waste where possible and we will take every opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Is your packaging reusable, recyclable and/or compostable?

Most definitely. Our meal containers are compostable, our meal labels and sleeves recyclable, and our bags and ice packs reusable.

What is your food philosophy?

We believe in a well-rounded, intuitive approach to food and nutrition. We understand that not everyone is a vegan, vegetarian, paleo-dieter or raw foodist, and we don't believe in extremes. We do, however, believe in the common ground that the extremes share – a focus on clean and wholesome ingredients; real food for real people.

Guided by the wisdom of generations prior, "eat your greens.," our meals are primarily plant-based and loaded with vitamins, minerals and other important micronutrients. All of our meals are gluten- and dairy-free and our menu changes with the seasons to ensure that only the freshest, most nutrient-dense ingredients make it to your plate. 

How many calories are in a typical meal?

We believe strongly that the quality of the inputs is far more important than the number of calories in a meal. All calories are not created equally (that’s old science) and different foods affect our biological systems (hormonal, metabolic, etc.) in different ways. In our experience, fixating on the number of calories tends to do more harm than good for the average person trying to reach their health and fitness goals. We believe that the simplest and most effective way to reach your goals is to focus on eating real (not processed) food that is prepared from clean and wholesome ingredients. Instead of focusing on the numbers, we want you to focus on how our food makes you look, feel and perform.

With that being said, there are certain people who need to know the complete nutrition facts for all they consume (whether for health reasons, personal reasons or for a particular sport). So, we aim to keep each meal within the 400 to 600 calorie range. You can view the full ingredient list and nutrition facts for all meals on the menu pages of our site (just click on the photo of a particular dish to learn more!).

Are all of your meals gluten free?

Absolutely. Though not everyone has a gluten intolerance, research has shown that more and more people have gluten sensitivities (without even knowing it.). We also focus on using clean and wholesome ingredients rather than processed foods, which makes avoiding gluten far easier. In addition to a completely gluten-free menu, our menu is also dairy- and egg-free.

I live an active life. How do I know I’m getting enough protein?

Don’t worry, we also live active lives. But to be safe, we have partnered with a registered dietitian to ensure that not just each recipe is well-balanced and carefully composed, but also that each daily menu is thoughtfully structured to maximize nutrient density and diversity.

For our vegan meals, we use protein-rich grains, legumes, nuts and seeds such as quinoa, amaranth, lentils, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds, to name a few. We also make sure to pack our meals with plenty of protein-rich leafy greens, such as kale. Our non-vegan meals contain lean meats in the form of grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and pork, and sustainably caught wild seafood.

Will I lose weight on one of your meal programs?

Our programs are designed to provide you with all of the nutrients you need to live an active and healthy lifestyle. We carefully craft each recipe and structure each day’s worth of meals to ensure that you’re looking, feeling and performing your best – both mentally and physically. For some, this may mean shedding a few excess pounds. For others, this may mean providing an adequate balance of nutrient density and diversity to fuel your days. In any case, you can rest assured that by living the V+B life, you’ll be eating delicious, nutritious, well-balanced meals. But hey, if that’s not enough, you can always walk/run to our production facility to pick up your meals yourself (no charge).

Are all of your ingredients certified organic?

Depends. Do you work for the USDA? (Joke). We believe more in working with farmers and growers who utilize sustainable and organic farming practices than in working strictly with those who are certified organic. For many small, local farmers and growers, the official organic certification process is simply cost prohibitive and too time consuming a process to undertake. We partner only with those who share our high standards; those willing to work longer hours to protect the land and the plants and animals on which we all depend. Ultimately, our philosophy on this topic is simple – we strive to establish lasting relationships with good people who are doing great things.

Do you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?

Absolutely.  We accommodate several major allergens, including gluten, dairy, egg, nuts, seafood/shellfish and soy.  We additionally accommodate the following dietary preferences/restrictions regarding animal proteins - no smoked meats, no beef and no pork.

Listed below are the various ways that we accommodate allergens:

1.  If the allergen is a topping or garnish, we will simply remove the ingredient from the dish (i.e. you will receive the standard meal minus the particular ingredient).

2.  If the allergen is a major component of the dish, we will either replace the dish entirely or substitute the ingredient, depending on the circumstances and on what works best for the particular dish.  

3.  If the allergen is in a dressing or sauce, you will receive an alternate dressing or sauce.

If you have any specific questions regarding a particular allergy or dietary restriction, please feel free to contact us at hello@vegetableandbutcher.com.  We are always happy to help.

Vegetable and Butcher – great name – how did you come up with it?

We know, you were probably too busy admiring our beautiful home page and somehow skipped over the Our Story page. But don’t fret. We understand. It happens to everyone.

Vegetable and Butcher is symbolic of Ariane (vegan) and Turner's (non-vegan) relationship as a founding couple and of the broader message that different dietary preferences, beliefs or requirements can do more than simply coexist; they can thrive.

Is V+B pronounced "V plus B" or "V and B"?

The plus sign is shorthand for the Latin word "and" or "et" and came about in the late 15th century making it a simple design for mathematicians to use as visual practice. (We know a little thing or two). For us, the design is shorthand for "and" and is a symbol of simplification between the complexities of the diets, but also the connection between the plants and the animals, the farmers and the consumers, you + V+B.

Plus, ampersand was taken. (Joke).

Why did you decide to start V+B?

Really? You still haven’t read through the Our Story page? Fine. We started V+B to create more time; more time for our friends, families and, most importantly, ourselves. We work hard and live active lives, which means we don’t always have time to shop, prep, cook and clean. Our solution – Vegetable and Butcher.

Why do I love you sooo much?

Great question. We love us, too. Hopefully it's because you trust us to do what's right. Lasting relationships are built on trust, and our relationship with our customers is no different. We trust you to be honest with us and we intend to do the same.

What makes Vegetable and Butcher unique?

For one, our super adorable taste-tester, Sake. I'm not saying she's the cutest dog you've ever seen, but she's at least top three.

But seriously, we've got a fantastic team of like-minded people behind us. From our fine dining chef who curates our meals with the utmost detail to our registered dietitian who structures our daily and weekly menus.

That’s right, we’re taking healthy, convenient food to a whole new level.