Thrive Market has been getting a lot of publicity lately, from Instagram to YouTube to my favorite people in the health and wellness space. It seems that many of us are using delivery services now due to busy lifestyles and for convenience. 

This health-first membership service is targeted toward those who seek convenient access to wholesome goodies and sustainable products delivered right to their doorstep. As an avid fan of discovering new healthy snacks and brands, I couldn’t resist trying out Thrive Market for myself. In this blog post, I’ll share my honest review of the service and why I think it has become a go-to destination for so many Americans.

The Mission of Thrive Market:

Eating healthy can be so expensive. Organic foods cost twice as much as non-organic, grass fed beef and free range poultry is two to three times as expensive. I am impressed with the philosophy at Thrive for this reason. In an exclusive interview, Jeremiah McElwee, the chief merchandising officer at Thrive Market, described their mission as “making healthy and sustainable living easy, accessible, and affordable for every American family”. Since its inception in 2014, Thrive Market has specialized in providing a wide range of high-quality organic, non-GMO, and sustainable products to democratize access to healthy options in the US.

Benefits of Ordering from Thrive Market: Thrive Market offers some enticing benefits to its members, making it a top choice among other online delivery services. 

1. Member-only prices on beloved brands: Enjoy exclusive access to favorite brands like CHOMPS and Simple Mills at discounted prices.
2. Hyper-curated catalog of healthy products: Discover a diverse range of organic and wholesome items, including pantry staples, vitamins, supplements, home and personal care, frozen food, and even wine.
3. Thrive Market Goods: Experience their best-selling brand of food and home essentials, crafted with health and sustainability in mind.
4. Personalized membership experience: Get free consultations with Thrive Market Guides, who will help you find the right products for your lifestyle, guide you to the best deals, and answer any questions you may have.
5. Incredible promotions and free gifts: Enjoy special promotions and receive free gifts with your orders.
6. Affordably-priced organic wines: Explore a selection of award-winning organic wines from small wineries around the world.

How Thrive Market Works and the cost:

Thrive Market operates on a membership model similar to Costco. By purchasing an annual membership, you gain access to their online store, which offers a wide selection of organic, non-GMO, and sustainable products at discounted prices ranging from 25% to 50% off the retail prices.

As of the current date, the yearly membership fee is $59.95, which can also be paid as $5 per month. Becoming a member grants you access to exclusive members-only deals, rewards, and free full-size product gifts. If you want to give Thrive Market a try before committing, they offer a 30-day trial membership with a 25% discount. Right now they are offering $60 in free groceries when you join. 

One of the notable aspects of Thrive Market’s membership is their commitment to helping those in need. For every paid membership, Thrive Market provides a free membership to a low-income family, student, teacher, veteran, or first responder. Love this!

Thrive Market stands behind their membership by offering a guarantee. If, by the end of the year, you haven’t saved an amount equivalent to your membership fee, they will compensate by adding the difference as Thrive Cash to your account. This credit can then be used for future purchases, ensuring that you get the most out of your membership.

Thrive Market’s attention to specific dietary restrictions and diets:

Thrive Market stands out among some other online delivery services for its thoughtfulness towards specific diets and dietary restrictions. You can easily filter products by gluten-free, paleo, vegan, ketogenic, and more, making it convenient for everyone to find suitable options. Additionally, Thrive Market maintains strict quality standards and offers a variety of brand-specific products that are both delicious and healthy.

A Wide Range of Products:

Thrive Market’s product offerings cover a vast array of categories, including food, meat and seafood, frozen foods, wine, vitamins, beauty, bath and body, baby and kids, home, and even pet supplies. Their top three most-shopped categories are snacks, beverages, and condiments, indicating a growing demand for convenient, healthier options. I am a huge fan of MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid Tint SPF 50.  It is one of my favorite sunscreens and I love I can get it at Thrive. 

I checked the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website to see how Thrive’s cleaning products ranked and was pleasantly surprised. All products ranked with an A or B with 2 products ranking a C. 

Customer Service:

Reviews are very positive for Thrive Market’s commitment to customer satisfaction. Personally despite a minor issue with packaging during my order, their team promptly addressed the problem and sent a replacement the very next day.

Review of Packaging and Shipping: 

I’ve placed a few orders through Thrive Market and so far, every one of them has been packaged extremely well.

• Chips are separated so they don’t get smashed
• Bottles are wrapped to prevent breaking
• Items that could possibly melt are shipped with an ice pack

Orders arrive quickly. 2-3 business days. My orders arrived within 3 business days. 

Price Comparisons:

So I compared the price I normally pay at my local Walmart, Amazon Grocery, and Whole Foods to the prices at Thrive. Prices were very comparable with Walmart with some products even being cheaper. Certain items were higher at Thrive for example Avocado oil and coconut sugar.  I also found that Thrive has many more gluten and dairy free options than Walmart. Whole Foods and Amazon Grocery prices were generally a little higher than Thrive in all categories. 

PROS:

1. Specialized Products: Thrive Market is an excellent choice if you require specific dietary brands, such as Whole30 compliant Red Boat Fish Sauce or certified GF oats for celiac reasons, or vegan coconut wraps.
2. Healthier Snack Options: They offer good selections of healthier snack foods, although whole foods like fruits and vegetables are still more budget-friendly and nutritious.
3. Healthier Pantry Staples: Thrive Market provides healthy alternatives to standard American diet pantry staples, like cream of mushroom soup and chicken stock.
4. Unique Ingredients: If you need hard-to-find items like date sugar, monk fruit, or organic arrowroot powder, Thrive Market offers good options.
5. Limited Local Options: If you don’t have access to local health food stores or mainstream retailers like Sprouts or Whole Foods, Thrive Market can be a valuable alternative.
6. Convenient Order History: You can easily view your previous orders under the “Buy it Again” tab, which is helpful for reordering products with the best prices.
7. Monthly Auto-Ship: Set up monthly auto-ship for frequently used items, and you can skip a month if needed.
8. Free Trial: Thrive Market offers a 30-day free trial membership to explore their services before committing.

CONS:

1. Limited Scratch Cooking Options: If you primarily cook from scratch, you might find fewer items that interest you on Thrive Market.
2. Multiples Required: Some items have minimum purchase requirements, forcing you to buy in multiples, which may not suit everyone’s needs.
3. Frequent Emails: Some reviewer reported that Thrive Market tends to send numerous emails, even after unsubscribing.

PITFALLS:

1. Inconsistent Pricing: Prices for the same products may vary depending on the listing, so it’s essential to thoroughly search for the best deals.
2. Availability Issues: Some items may not be available due to shipping restrictions or limited stock.
3. Search Limitations: Finding specific products may be challenging due to limitations in the search function and category filtering.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY AT THRIVE MARKET:

1. Free Shipping and Gifts: Spend $49 or more to get free shipping and receive a complimentary gift.
2. Reach $59 Threshold: Spending $59 or more might entitle you to additional free items.
3. Check the “Deals” Section: Regularly explore the “Deals” section for discounted prices on various products.
4. Utilize “Extra Savings”: Keep an eye on the “Extra Savings” section to save up to 10% to 30% on specific brands.
5. Benefit from “Cash Back”: Look for products in the “Cash Back” category to receive savings applied to your next purchase, with the store brand often offering consistent cashback opportunities.

My Final Thoughts, Will I Keep My Membership?

The short answer, is yes. There are a lot of items I can’t find locally for less and I love the convenience of online delivery.  When I’m ready to shop, I can quickly fill up my cart and checkout.

However, I do love my Costco membership and will continue to use it frequently so Thrive won’t replace that. 

If you’re passionate about healthy living and sustainability, Thrive Market is the ultimate destination for your shopping needs. With a wide selection of organic, non-GMO, and sustainable products, member-exclusive pricing, and exceptional customer service, Thrive Market makes conscious living not only accessible but also enjoyable. For just $60 a year, you’ll gain access to a treasure trove of healthful goodies and savings, making it a valuable investment for both your well-being and your wallet.