Shopping for groceries online or with an app is a great option for those who are limited on time, seeking convenience, safety and/or can't leave household members at home unsupervised. The following are examples of situations where people could benefit from grocery on-demand services. This list is not all-inclusive.

1. Family caregivers who can’t leave elderly loved ones at home alone.

3. Mothers of newborns who are exhausted and/or don’t feel comfortable taking the baby with them to the grocery store.

4. Parents of active children who don’t feel comfortable hauling everyone to the grocery store with them.

6. Parents or guardians caregiving for disabled family members

7. People who are medically vulnerable.

8. Those who want to avoid driving, walking, or traveling in inclement weather such as extreme heat, snow, or thunderstorms.

9. Remote workers who don’t have time to out shopping but are home to receive grocery deliveries.
10. Parents who are home-schooling children or parents who are supervising kids who are enrolled in online learning programs.

 

Check out these options for having groceries delivered to your doorstep:

Costco Wholesale

There are three ways to shop: 1) Standard, 2) 2-Day and 3) Same Day Delivery from a local Costco powered by Instacart. Through Instacart, groceries can be delivered to your doorstep in as little as an hour. You will need to be a Costco member in order to shop online or with the Costco app. Click on the link above to get started.

For senior citizens, there is a dedicated Senior Support Line that you can call if you need help placing an order online. The number is 1-844-981-3433. Available daily 8am – 11pm ET.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods offers 2-hour delivery for $9.95 with an Amazon Prime membership in select U.S. cities. Order through the website or use the Amazon app or order online to select produce, meat, bakery, dairy, pre-made dishes, and other food items from Whole Foods Market. Click on the link above to get started.

Instacart

Use Instacart to order and deliver groceries and essential supplies to those who cannot easily get out to shop for themselves. Instacart is an American company that provides grocery delivery and pick-up service in the United States and Canada.

Customers choose from a variety of local grocery stores, large supermarket chains, brand-named pharmacies, and big box stores such as Target, Best Buy, and Staples. In many areas, Sam’s Club and Costco are also listed so you can order items through Instacart without being a member of these warehouses.

Select items and submit orders using a mobile app or the Instacart website. A personal shopper delivers the items requested to the address entered by the customer.

You don’t need a membership to use Instacart to shop. Fees start at $3.99 when you order over $35 for same-day delivery. The benefits of becoming an Instacart+ member include reduced service fees and unlimited free delivery on orders over $35. The monthly fee for Instacart+ membership is $9.99. The annual plan is $99.

 

Smoother Life is not affiliated with Costco or Whole Foods in any way. Smoother Life is an affiliate partner with Instacart. If you make a purchase after clicking on an Instacart link, Smoother Life may be paid a small commission.