Grocery shopping can be a hassle when you’re a busy parent – delivery services are a great way to save time. Be aware that during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for delivery services has increased. You may experience longer wait times and limited availability for certain items, so be sure to plan ahead for your shopping needs. Many retailers are also offering temporary curbside pickup; check their websites for details.
Instacart
Instacart allows you to shop for groceries from a wide selection of stores, which are then delivered the same day by personal shoppers. Use the app to create a free account, shop for groceries and schedule a delivery time. Curbside pickup options are available at select stores. Kroger, Publix, Aldi, Sprouts, Costo and the Fresh Market are among the stores Instacart serves.
Cost: The price of groceries plus delivery fee (first delivery is free). Delivery fees start at $3.99 and increase during peak times. A variable service fee also applies. Instacart Express annual membership is $99 per year and includes free delivery on orders of $35 or more.
Our Take: Instacart has one of the largest selections of store options. The tipping can be confusing because there is an optional 10 percent service fee for shoppers working in the store as well as tip option for the driver delivering your order.
Shipt
Shipt sends personal shoppers to hand-pick the items you put on your list from area grocery stores. Purchase a membership plan, and through the Shipt app, choose your items, pay for them and schedule a delivery.
Cost: A Shipt annual membership is $99 and includes free delivery for orders over $35. Shipt does not utilize surge pricing, even for deliveries during peak times.
Our Take: The app is very user-friendly. When ordering groceries, it allows you to view recipes and the list of ingredients to make them. Simply click the list and order the ingredients needed to make dinner.
Postmates
Postmates offers on-demand delivery from a variety of local grocery stores. Order online or use the app to choose your items and select a delivery time. You can also choose to pick up your items at the store. Store options around Atlanta include Publix, Kroger, Lucy’s Market and Sevananda Natural Foods.
Cost: Price of items purchased plus delivery, which starts at 99 cents – $9.99. A variable percentage-based service fee applies. An additional “small cart” fee of $1.99 is charged if your order is under the minimum required (varies by location). A Postmates Unlimited membership is $9.99 per month or $99 for 12 months; members get free delivery on orders over $12.
Our Take: The service fees and delivery rates vary but you can avoid that by choosing Postmates Unlimited. They also offer delivery from area restaurants and Walgreens. Check the website for daily deals.
Walmart Grocery Pick Up and Delivery
Walmart offers same-day pick up and delivery. Create a free Walmart account online or download the app, place an order and choose a time slot for pick up. Check in when you get close – the app tracks your location so the order will be ready when you arrive. Walmart also offers grocery delivery service for a fee.
Cost: For pick up orders, you pay only the price of the groceries. For deliveries, the fee varies based on the time slot you choose. The fee for your order is shown at checkout. Annual membership is $98 or $12.95 monthly.
Our Take: Make sure to check in on the app so that your groceries will be ready when you arrive. If an item on the list isn’t available, the shopper will gladly sub it with another type and let you know.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh is a benefit of Amazon Prime membership; members can place grocery orders for same-day delivery. You’ll be prompted to pick a two-hour delivery window. Prime members can also shop for items from local Whole Foods stores and schedule pickup or delivery.
Cost: The price of groceries plus free delivery in a two-hour window for orders over $35. Delivery fees apply for orders under $35 or non-Prime members.
Our Take: Amazon Fresh offers perishable grocery items that come in reusable bags that can be collapsed for easy storage. It is different than the personal shopper experience because the items are not hand-picked.
Kroger Pickup
With Kroger Pickup, users can shop online on the store’s website or app, pay and select a pickup time. When you arrive at the store, an employee will bring the groceries to your car.
Cost: The price of groceries plus a pickup fee (fees are currently being waived due to COVID-19.
Our Take: Plan ahead and get a Kroger card/account if you don’t already have one. Pay attention to sale item pricing when you pick up, because Kroger’s sales change frequently.
goPuff
Get everything from frozen food to snacks, beverages and personal care items through goPuff. Use their app or order online to shop from thousands of items. The company offers 24-hour services in most areas and promises fast delivery.
Cost: Delivery is $1.95 per order, with a $10 order minimum, or you can purchase a membership for $5.95 per month.
Our Take: All items are stored and delivered from the company’s local warehouse, so choices may be more limited than other services. Delivery areas are limited, so check before you order.
More local pickup and delivery options:
Eat Right Atlanta offers a home-delivery program for seasonal fruits and vegetables. Pricing and membership fees vary, check their website for availability.
Sifted Provisions offers curated “provisions packs” containing a selection of fresh produce, dry goods and household items, which can be scheduled for pickup or delivery.
Hampton + Hudson’s General Store offers online ordering of a variety of grocery items, including milk, eggs, dairy and paper goods. Pick up at their Highland Ave. location; they’ll also deliver within a 3-mile radius for a fee.
California Pizza Kitchen’s pop-up CPK Market lets customers to order grocery staples such as eggs, meat, pasta, beverages and produce. Participating locations and availability vary; check online for a current list.
Fresh Harvest offers home delivery of organic produce from local farmers. (Currently there is a waiting list to join, check their website for details).
Advice for Ordering Groceries
Note: The FDA says there is no evidence of food, food containers or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19, but they say if you are concerned about contamination of food or food packaging, wash your hands after handling food packaging, after removing food from the packaging, before you prepare food for eating and before you eat. You can also wipe down your groceries.
Have a list prepared before you begin the process. Most sites save your list online so that shopping is easier the second time.
Make sure the store, app or website you are choosing serves your area. On most websites you can enter your zip code to see the closest pickup location or delivery range.
Check to see what type of payment each service accepts. Most are credit or debit card only through the app, website or in person.
Think about the time you schedule delivery or pick up. To ensure the freshest produce, make sure you will be at home in time or able to get to the store when your order is ready.
Check order minimums. You may want to hold off on ordering groceries until you have a larger amount. Some companies require a minimum order amount or wave delivery fees for orders over $35.
Tipping Advice
It can sometimes be confusing when to tip with these services. Tipping is at your discretion, and can be done in person or through some apps.
Instacart: 10 percent is the default service fee amount added to your order. You can adjust the amount upon checkout and also add a tip for your driver.
Shipt: You may tip the shopper in cash or via the app up to 24 hours after you receive your delivery. General tips range 15-20 percent.
Postmates: Tipping is optional and can be added using the app after your delivery is complete.
Walmart: Tips are not accepted by Walmart employees. You can complete the post-order survey to let Walmart know how the specific employee did.
Amazon Fresh:Tipping is optional and can be changed up to 24 hours after delivery. If you choose, the tip is added when you place your order.
Kroger Pickup: Associates are not allowed to accept tips.
goPuff: Tipping your delivery driver is optional, you can tip via the app or with cash.
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