Note: This information is also posted at:
https://joanscovid19blog.blogspot.com/2020/05/food-shopping-in-age-of-covid-19.html.
Further updates on this and other things pertaining to COVID-19 are posted at https://joanscovid19blog.blogspot.com as well.
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These food sources -- mostly with Chicago area people in mind -- may be convenient for those sheltering in place!
-- Amazon (www.Amazon.com)
-- Imperfect Foods (www.ImperfectFoods.com)
-- Daily Harvest (www.Daily-Harvest.com)
-- Fresh Picks (www.FreshPicks.com)
-- Freshly (www.Freshly.com)
-- Sprinly (www.Sprinly.com)
-- Veestro (www.Veestro.com)
-- Splendid Spoon (https://splendidspoon.com)
1. In general I prefer using PayPal for online shopping. Where CC is required I keep all online purchases on one "dedicated" card so it's less hassle if it gets frauded.
2. Be flexible. Stores may be out of what you want but may have other choices to deliver to you.
3. Write dates on cans & boxes with marking pens so you can consume the oldest items first.
4. Leave realistic delivery instructions. Check your building's requirements.
5. Websites I've used. The four websites listed here have worked best for me since my Prolia disaster made shopping quite painful.
6. I've used Instacart but I've found the stores here work better for me. But check what Instacart offers in your area!
7. Keep a list of what you got where so you can easily find your faves again!
Here is more detail about each of the sources I've used:
1. I know we all love to hate Amazon, but for now, Amazon can be helpful.
2. Sign up for Amazon Prime. The price you pay for this feature will likely be offset by free deliveries of many things plus speed, convenience, and selection.
3. Explore the many Amazon food shopping services - Amazon Fresh, Amazon Whole Foods, Pantry Lists, etc. Most offer free delivery for orders over a certain price, and/or for Prime customers.
4. Consider buying staples by the case.
4. Consider buying staples by the case.
5. Get an idea of what's available by entering the name of food you want and seeing where Amazon takes you!
6. Keep a list of where you got things you especially like so you can find them again.
7. Keep lists of orders "in progress" and pay when you reach free delivery levels. And keep an eye out for online specials.
I mostly shop Amazon's Whole Foods list, but right now (April 9, 2020) they are not even giving delivery slots. Check back for delivery windows.
Here's now Amazon is handling food now:
https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/how-amazon-is-helping-customers-get-groceries
https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/how-amazon-is-helping-customers-get-groceries
I was happy to see that (at least. according to Forbes), Amazon is not "COVID-teering" (the word I just coined for companies making unfair profit from this crisis).
https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/05/04/amazon-neither-winning-or-profiting-from-covid-19/#2f58aa706793
https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/05/04/amazon-neither-winning-or-profiting-from-covid-19/#2f58aa706793
B. Imperfect Foods. www.imperfectfoods.com
See if they this company delivers to your area. They offer organic and conventional foods, raw and prepared, vegan and animal-sourced, all considered "imperfect" because of being close to expiry dates (but not beyond), or from broken lots, or too oddly sized or shaped for supermarket display.
See if they this company delivers to your area. They offer organic and conventional foods, raw and prepared, vegan and animal-sourced, all considered "imperfect" because of being close to expiry dates (but not beyond), or from broken lots, or too oddly sized or shaped for supermarket display.
You can sign up for weekly or bi-weekly delivery on a "Book of the Month Club" model, so you need to let them know in advance when you don't want a box. You can also make some choices and list foods you never want. More details at their website.
C. Daily Harvest https://www.daily-harvest.com/app/home
Daily Harvest delivers prepped produce, mainly vegetables and fruits, in measured containers, for healthful smoothie to which you only need to add liquid and blend. (They also deliver salads, soups and some other items in frozen containers).
Daily Harvest delivers prepped produce, mainly vegetables and fruits, in measured containers, for healthful smoothie to which you only need to add liquid and blend. (They also deliver salads, soups and some other items in frozen containers).
I have a plan were I get four or five smoothies and one or two soups every week. Since standing for a long time doing food prep is hard for me, this is truly a healthful luxury!
This is a "Book of the Month Club" type of service. You can always skip a box or change the contents, but if you do not do so by their deadline you'll get what they send you! But check it out - some offerings -- soups, harvest bowls etc. -- are higher in sodium than I'd like, so these are just occasional treats!
This is a "Book of the Month Club" type of service. You can always skip a box or change the contents, but if you do not do so by their deadline you'll get what they send you! But check it out - some offerings -- soups, harvest bowls etc. -- are higher in sodium than I'd like, so these are just occasional treats!
D. Fresh Picks. www.FreshPicks.com
This is a Chicago area company.
If you are in the Chicago area you may know Irv and Shelley's Fresh Picks from the summer produce markets. Besides local organic produce. they sell some prepared foods and some animal based products, many from small local companies. It's a nice selection and worth a look.
They offer weekly deliveries of either their pre-assembled boxes (best prices) or your selections.
You'll get an e-mail about what is offered each week but you can set it up so they only deliver when you place an order.
Your produce may arrive in a large insulated bin which is good if you won't be home. (I ask for delivery in a big plastic bag so I don't have to worry about leaving the bin out for them to pick up. Ask them for details on this).
E. Freshly (www.Freshly.com)
Freshly offers complete meals in containers ready to microwave and enjoy. The are gluten free. For other sensitivities you can read the ingredient list on each selection. Delivery is weekly, and these meals are intended to be kept in the refrigerator, not the freezer. You can select a 4, 6, 9 or 12 weekly plan, with prices lower per dish for the larger plans.
Deliveries come in large boxes with freezer packs, which likely accounts for the high price of this service.
You can keep the same selection week after week, switch selections, or opt for no delivery that particular week. (If you don't opt out, however, you'll get a delivery automatically.)
I find that one serving serves me well for two meals especially if I add a salad. These are on the pricey side but well done.
E. Freshly (www.Freshly.com)
Freshly offers complete meals in containers ready to microwave and enjoy. The are gluten free. For other sensitivities you can read the ingredient list on each selection. Delivery is weekly, and these meals are intended to be kept in the refrigerator, not the freezer. You can select a 4, 6, 9 or 12 weekly plan, with prices lower per dish for the larger plans.
Deliveries come in large boxes with freezer packs, which likely accounts for the high price of this service.
You can keep the same selection week after week, switch selections, or opt for no delivery that particular week. (If you don't opt out, however, you'll get a delivery automatically.)
I find that one serving serves me well for two meals especially if I add a salad. These are on the pricey side but well done.
F. Sprinly (www.Sprinly.com)
Sprinly offers ready to heat and eat meals that are vegan and gluten free. While there is some choice of number of meals and frequency of delivery there are just six choices of meals each week. They are good, and half a meal serves me well.
G. Veestro (www.veestro.com)
Gluten free and Vegan -- they offer several plans. Heat and Eat meals with enough for a week delivered at one time. They arrive frozen and are to be kept frozen until ready to use.
H. Splendid Spoon (www.SplendidSpoon.com)
Gluten Free Vegan. Wonderful smoothies! The best yet, and very good soups and stews to just heat and eat. Easy to skip or unskip a week.
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*Much of this information is also at www.JoansBackboneDisaster.com as I compiled much of it originally because it was physically difficult for me to shop in person.
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