Marley Spoon launches first retail meal kits at Food Lion

By Daniel Okafor

Marley Spoon is bringing its first retail meal kits to more than 150 Food Lion stores in North Carolina.

Each two-person package contains everything needed to prepare a complete meal at home, carrying Marley Spoon’s direct-to-consumer offering into Food Lion’s grocery channel for the first time.

The assortment includes six meals, with five options at $11.99 and one at $12.99.

• Chorizo Tacos — $11.99
• Beef Enchiladas — $11.99
• Gnocchi Bolognese — $11.99
• Asian-Style Pork & Broccoli — $11.99
• Chicken Taco Bowl — $11.99
• Beef Stew — $12.99

What does this change for shoppers and Marley Spoon?

For shoppers, the launch creates a route to buy Marley Spoon meals in a Food Lion store, on their own terms; for Marley Spoon, it widens brand exposure and opens growth routes across retail and subscriptions.

Marley Spoon calls the two-person kitted meals “not a pivot but rather a new solution that we are happy to bring to market and customers.” The statement frames retail as an added solution rather than a substitute for the subscription business.

Merchandising and shelf life

Food Lion sells the kits in its Home Meal Solutions island within the deli, while the fresh meals carry a 12-day shelf life when they arrive at the retailer. Marley Spoon said the shelf-life target was integral to both parties.

“We designed ingredients, meals and some supply chain mechanics to create a unique offering that can stand up to the realities of transit and days on shelf,” Marley Spoon said, noting it delivers fresh product to Food Lion twice a week, “preserving the quality and experience customers should expect from a Marley Spoon offering.”

Twice-weekly deliveries set the operating cadence for transit, stocking and freshness.

2027 expansion

The kits remain exclusive to Food Lion today as Marley Spoon works to “perfect” its offerings and Food Lion refines its Home Meal Solutions sets. Marley Spoon plans to add Food Lion stores and additional Ahold Delhaize banners in 2027.

“We are looking forward to expanding to additional Food Lion stores as well as additional Ahold Delhaize banners in 2027, but right now the focus is servicing the Food Lion customers in the best way possible,” Marley Spoon said.

Marley Spoon plans new spring offerings for the Food Lion sets in 2027. The company said it will continue “to apply everything we know about shared Marley Spoon and Food Lion customers.”

The company added: “This is truly a partnership, bringing meals reimagined for real life to Food Lion customer households.”

Retail alongside subscriptions

Marley Spoon already sells Balance by Marley Spoon frozen meals in all ShopRite stores, where they launched in June. In September, the company named Advantage Solutions its national broker partner to take the meals nationwide in 2027.

Marley Spoon’s retail push now spans prepared meals through ShopRite and fresh kits through Food Lion. The Advantage Solutions appointment adds a national distribution path for the prepared range.

Marley Spoon’s Daniel Klemens, B2B strategy manager, said:

“Retail is a natural extension of Marley Spoon, not a departure from our subscription business. The two channels serve different needs and work hand in hand.”

Klemens added: “Subscription gives customers the convenience of meals delivered to their door, while retail lets shoppers discover Marley Spoon in-store and enjoy it on their own terms. By bringing both prepared meals and meal kits to retail, we’re widening the ways people can experience our brand and opening new avenues for growth across both channels.”

Food Lion’s launch gives Marley Spoon a concrete retail test: 12-day shelf life, twice-weekly deliveries and more than 150 North Carolina stores. The 2027 plan sets the next markers—more Food Lion stores, spring meal sets and additional Ahold Delhaize banners—while subscriptions remain in place.