Though you don’t need to be home for delivery, all orders should be retrieved ASAP. Packages should not remain outside longer than 6-8 hours after delivery. When retrieved within that time window, your food should arrive refrigerator cold—below 40°F as measured with a food thermometer. If your box arrives late and you’re worried about the freshness of your meat and seafood, please contact our Customer Support team at support@butcherbox.com and include pictures of your issue. Any meat not within the safe temperature of below 40°F as measured with a food thermometer should be discarded.