{"id":14257,"date":"2023-08-22T19:37:37","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T23:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/desis.osu.edu\/seniorthesis\/?p=14257"},"modified":"2023-08-30T22:25:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T02:25:35","slug":"the-best-options-for-grocery-delivery-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/desis.osu.edu\/seniorthesis\/index.php\/2023\/08\/22\/the-best-options-for-grocery-delivery-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Options for Grocery Delivery During the Coronavirus Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, so does people\u2019s need to safely obtain basic necessities. More and more, folks are turning to online grocery services to get their essentials delivered as they try to stay socially distanced. It\u2019s a great option, especially for those who are at a higher risk from the virus, but if you\u2019ve never shopped for groceries online, now may be a particularly confusing and chaotic time to start. Many stores and services are stretched thin, dealing with increased demand both for the goods themselves and for delivery. If you\u2019re struggling to find the best option, or if you aren\u2019t sure where to begin, we\u2019ve compiled a list of resources and tips for getting groceries delivered to your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table of contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Make a master grocery list<\/a>Look for local options first<\/a>Try your luck with online grocers<\/a>Consider curbside pickup for groceries<\/a><\/td>Supplement with grocery subscription boxes<\/a>Or try a meal kit delivery service<\/a>Trust the food supply chain<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Make a master grocery list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grocery delivery services are overwhelmed, and you may not be able to secure a delivery slot for a week or more, so be prepared to place an order before you run out of food. Before you start shopping, take stock of what you have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry. (If you want to get super-nerdy, create an inventory spreadsheet.) Use this opportunity to toss out any foods that have spoiled or turned rancid. Organize the perishable foods in your fridge using the first in, first out (FIFO) principle so that you minimize food waste. I label one of my crisper drawers \u201cuse first\u201d for older produce that I need to consume before the new stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a master grocery list, one that will supply you for at least a couple of weeks\u2014longer than you might usually go between grocery store trips. If you don\u2019t know what you\u2019ll need a week from now, just start with the 10 to 20 items you usually buy for an average week and go from there. And take the extra effort to list one or two substitutions for each item on your list so that you\u2019re prepared if things are out of stock. For example: If you can\u2019t get potatoes, see if yams or turnips (or even instant mashed potatoes) are available. Don\u2019t fret if your market is out of rice. Try farro, couscous, or pearled barley instead. Use this time to get creative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for local options first<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wirecutter staffers have had better luck getting deliveries from local businesses than from large grocery delivery services, which tend to be fully booked for weeks at a time. Call or check the websites of grocery stores in your area to see if they offer delivery\u2014even if they haven\u2019t in the past, many are starting to deliver now as demand increases. Not only will this help those businesses, it\u2019s also good for local producers who supply those stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always a good idea to support your local grocer, but it\u2019s more important now than ever. Remember to be patient, since these stores are likely experiencing the same increase in demand as the larger delivery services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some restaurants, caterers, and food service purveyors also started selling groceries and provisions for home delivery, but it might take some light sleuthing to figure out who\u2019s offering what. Start by looking up social media accounts of restaurants or caterers that you like in your area\u2014we\u2019ve found that many businesses are sharing updates about what they\u2019re selling on Instagram and Facebook. Some restaurants may also share information about the meat and produce purveyors that now deliver to home cooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small farms are ramping up home-delivery services too. If you have a local farmers market, look up the farms that sell there to see if any are delivering produce or CSA (community-supported agriculture) boxes. The website Local Harvest<\/a> also has a directory of farms, farmers markets, and CSAs that you can search by zip code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try your luck with online grocers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most widely available grocery delivery services include Instacart<\/a>, Walmart<\/a>, Shipt<\/a>, and Peapod<\/a>, so see if they deliver to your area. The downside to these services is that they are all in high demand right now, and you may have difficulty securing a delivery time. Many have started hiring more employees to meet the higher demand, but deliveries still book up quickly, and services may appear fully booked for as far out as their delivery slots go, usually a week or two. But if you check often, you may be able to snag a spot when it becomes available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few of my Wirecutter colleagues have found that time slots can open up if you check early in the morning. Jaimie Clark, director of SEO, says she opens her Instacart app before dawn to lock down a delivery time that wasn\u2019t available the previous day. Community lead Erin Price takes her Instacart strategy a step further: \u201cWe get everything in the cart the night before, then wake up early the next day and place the order.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most services will appear fully booked for as far out as their delivery slots go, usually a week or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in any of these services, we\u2019ve rounded up details on some of them for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n