6 Convenient Ways To Get Groceries During A Pandemic

Are you using a grocery delivery service during the COVID-19 pandemic? As special-needs parents, my husband and I decided to keep our risk to a minimum by not shopping in person. The question became, which service should we utilize to get our groceries? Have you asked the same question? How are you getting groceries during a pandemic?

6 Grocery Delivery/Pick-up Options

To my surprise, I discovered that the cost of grocery delivery services can be reasonable. Many services offer a monthly or yearly package to avoid per trip delivery fees. Others do not have any delivery fee but require purchasing $35 of groceries. The service companies recommend giving a tip for the delivery person. Since we are no longer eating in restaurants, I’ve compensated the tip we would normally give a waitress to the person pulling our groceries.

Below is a list to help you choose this convenient way to grocery shop, all while avoiding crowds, managing self-distancing guidelines, and keeping out of stores during this pandemic. These options make getting groceries during a pandemic a little simpler.

INSTACART

Non-Member Delivery – Charge per delivery – $9.99 (Note: this is a per-trip fee.)

Express Monthly Delivery – Charge – $9.99 (One delivery fee for 1 month of service)

Yearly Delivery Charge – $99 per year.

Shopper Tip – Per order, either 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or an amount of your choice.

Delivery Requirement: Over $35.00.

Stores Supporting Delivery– Publix/Publix Liquors*, Aldi, Sam’s Club/Sam’s Club Liquor*, Sprouts Farmers Market, The Fresh Market, Costco/Costco Spirits*, CVS Pharmacy, Petco, BJ’s Wholesale Club/BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquor*.

Note: *Higher than in-store prices. For example, a package of fresh chicken costs $13.86 in-store, and using the Sam’s app in Instacart the price increase to $16.72.

Stores Supporting Pickup– Publix/ Greenwise Market by Publix, Aldi, The Fresh Market, Nature’s Food Patch. (Pickup availability is limited.)

Cost of Groceries – Same as in-store.

Note: Some delivery times can be between 2 hours to several days.

TIP 1: If requesting items like toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectants or cleaning products, request a morning delivery. These items may be re-stocked overnight.

TIP 2: After placing your order, the app allows you to add items up until the delivery time. You can also chat with your shopper and ask them to add a last-minute item.

Website: http://www.instacart.com

SHIPT

Delivery Charge Per Delivery – $7.99 delivery fee under $35.

No Delivery Fee – over $35.

Monthly Delivery Option – $14.99.

Yearly Delivery Option – $99 per year.

Shopper Tip – Tip any amount.

Stores Supporting Delivery – Costco, CVS, Publix, Target, Winn Dixie, Office Max, Petco & ABC Liquors.

Stores Supporting Pickup – As of this writing, Pick-up is currently not available in the Tampa Bay Area. Keep checking with the Shipt website for updates.

Cost of Groceries: From Shipt’s website: “Our members can expect to pay about $5 more using Shipt than they would on a $35 order purchased in the store themselves.”

Tip: Delivery times vary. A customer shared, “They’re now offering (delivery) windows up to 4 days out…” As of April 27, 2020.

Website: www.shipt.com

AMAZON FRESH

Note: Must have Amazon Prime ($109 per year).

Prices – Free 2 – 3-hour delivery charge on orders over $35.

Cost of Groceries – Same as in-store.

Amazon Fresh Pickup – Prime Members have the added option of picking up orders in as little as 30 minutes. Check availability when ordering.

Tip: You can have groceries delivered to loved ones by changing the address in the order process. This is a great feature for delivery to elderly parents.

Website: www.Amazon.com/AmazonFresh

WALMART

Cost of Groceries – Same as in the store.

Minimum Order – $35

Membership – Delivery Unlimited – $98 a year or $12.95 per month.

Tip: Place your order after midnight to find delivery times. Pickup is available for no fee. Re-check website often to find delivery and pickup times.

Website: https://grocery.walmart.com/locations/delivery/

TARGET

Drive-Up – Free (Show Target App)

Pick-up In-Store: Free (Show ID)

Pickup Times: Usually within 4 hours.

Not All Items Available – Look for the Pick It Up option in the Target app.

Tip: Order later in the day for a morning pickup. Check the website often to find available delivery and pickup availability.

Website: https://www.target.com/c/grocery/-/N-5xt1a

PENNROSE FARMS

Many farmers are having to leave quality produce un-harvested in the fields. In order to help these farmers recoup their losses, Pennrose Farms is partnering with nearby farmers to bring the harvest direct to the consumer via No Contact Pick-up.

Cost of Vegetables: For $20 (Cash Only), you receive a mix of cucumbers, corn, cabbage, yellow and zucchini squash, potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes. Items vary based upon availability.

Pickup Option Only: No need to exit your vehicle. Leave the cash in the trunk. Drive through the gate, let them know how many boxes you need, open your trunk, and they will load your box.

Tip: No need to Pre-order.

Pickup Times: Available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8 am -4 pm.

Location:

Pennrose Farms, LLC

707 West Lake Drive

Wimauma, FL 33598

Website: http://www.penrosefarms.com/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/pennrosefarms/

Do you have experience using grocery delivery or pickup services especially when it comes to getting groceries during a pandemic? Comment below.