Grocery delivery options Chicago. Now that the Mayor is enforcing the lockdown order you may want to avoid going outside at all. There are two ways to get groceries etc. to your home: delivered (usually by Instacart for same, next day or later delivery) or shipped via UPS, Fed Ex, etc. where they may arrive in a couple days or longer. If you’re unfamiliar with Instacart see below.
Update 5/8/20: Grocery delivery options Chicago – Mercato
Mercato: Mercato is like Instacart but for high quality locally produced food. They deliver for independent grocers, local shops and food artisans. Some of the options are Local Foods, Gepperth’s Meat Market, La Fournette. Delivery is $6.99+ or more depending on where you live. I signed up and the next day they sent me a $10 off $50+ purchase (before tax and delivery) which I didn’t use. I deleted the app and a week later emailed me a $15 off $75+ purchase that was good for 3 days. YMMV. Update 5/8/20: I used Mercato to order from Local Foods and there were same day delivery slots available. Delivery was $8.99. Local Foods has excellent products – including super fresh locally (ergo the name) grown produce. It’s not cheap but you can’t beat the quality.
Grocery delivery options Chicago Covid-19 lockdown
New restrictions apply for shipping at many stores so read all the details on company websites. Delivery and shipping availability may vary by location. Keep in mind that many stores are short staffed and Instacart is inundated. The key is to be flexible. Availability varies by the day. Make a list and keep checking store websites for your items. Also the deals and offers I mention below were good at time of publication and are subject to change.
If you want to pick up supplies read this post: Grocery pickup options Chicago
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Aldi: Instacart. Free delivery on first 3 orders of $35 or more. Use code SHOPALDI20. Shipping not available.
Big Lots: No same day/next day delivery option. Big Lots offers free shipping on orders of $59 or more. Details
Bob’s Red Mill: Bob’s Red Mill is an employee-owned Oregon-based company that produces whole grain products, organic (and non-organic), non-GMO, some gluten free products as well as soup mixes and heirloom beans. Right now they are out of almost everything or they’re selling in 25lb bags. I buy their seeds (chia, flax etc.) and beans including their 13 bean soup mix to make soup and chili. I buy other items when I find them on sale at stores. In normal times I buy their products at Walmart (online), Target (online), Whole Foods, Mariano’s and at Big Lots. Once you pick a category to shop use the filter on the left to click on “Stock staus” to see what’s in stock. The website has good recipes for their products. Shipping used to be free for orders $59+ but I don’t see that on the website right now. Save 20% off your first order on BobsRedMill.com. NEW!
Caputo’s: Delivery flat fee $10. Minimum order $50 before taxes and fees. No shipping option.
Costco: Costco Grocery offers both Same-Day Delivery and 2-Day Delivery. Only Costco members are able to shop using these options. Visit their website to shop both options, or shop Same-Day Delivery through Instacart. The 2-Day Delivery option allows you to shop non-perishable food items and household supplies. This service is offered nationwide, and does not offer weekend deliveries. Shipping available on select items.
CVS: Instacart. Also Free shipping, no minimum.
Dollar General: No same day/next day option. Shipping available. No free shipping option.
Fairplay: Instacart. Shipping not available.
Food 4 Less: Instacart. Shipping not available.
Fresh Thyme: Instacart. Shipping not available.
H Mart: Instacart. Shipping available Orders $49+ free or $5.00
Imperfect Foods: Imperfect Foods is a subscription service that sells perfectly good produce that just doesn’t look pretty. This is produce that would ordinarily be thrown away. They also sell other imperfect products, overruns, products where the manufacturer has changed packaging, etc. They have excellent deals. Read about my experience here and get $10 off your first order. NEW! Use my link and get $10 off your first order. (I get $10 also Thank you!)
Jewel-Osco: Instacart. Shipping not available.
Mariano’s: Instacart. Shipping not available.
Meijer: $9.95 for delivery. Shipping not available.
Pete’s Fresh Market: Instacart. $10 off first Instacart delivery using INSTAPETES19. Shipping not available.
Plum Market: Instacart. Shipping not available.
Potash: Delivery through Mercato. Get $10 off your first order. Delivery fee depends on distance from the store, starting at $5.99. Call between 9AM-2PM to speak to a personal shoppers. Give them a list of your needs, and get Potash delivered right to your door. Convenience fee of $6.00 for phone orders, and a delivery fee of $7.00. If your total is over $150.00, the delivery fee is waved. Shipping not available.
Sam’s Club: No same day/next day delivery option. Some items ship free with standard membership. $20 off Sam’s Club membership
Sunset Foods: Instacart or Sunset eGrocer. Shipping not available.
Target: Use Instacart, Target Restock and Shipt can be used for next day delivery. Target Restock is free for RedCard holders. Non-RedCard holders $2.99 per-order delivery fee. Target Restock wasn’t available downtown when I checked. You can sign up for a four week free trial of Shipt, and then pay a $99/year fee to continue. There is a $35 order minimum for all same, next day delivery services. You can also order online and have items shipped. Shipping is also available and is free on orders of $35+.
Tony’s Fresh Market: Instacart. Shipping not available.
Trader Joe’s: No same day/next day delivery option. Shipping not available.
Walgreens: Postmates. Free shipping, no minimum.
Walmart: Walmart Grocery offers delivery. You must pay a per-order $9.95 delivery fee or enroll in their Delivery Unlimited plan. With Delivery Unlimited, you’ll pay $12.95/month or $98/year after their 15-day free trial. You can also order online and have items shipped. You can use the filter on the left of the webpage to filter to “Deliver to home” to see what’s available. Also beware of third party sellers. I filter them out by clicking on “Walmart” under “Retailer” because a lot of them are price-gouging. Shipping is free on orders $35+.
Whole Foods: Free 2-hour delivery for Amazon Prime members. Whole Foods Market delivery is available by invitation only at this time.
What is Instacart
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that delivers in as little as an hour. You place an order online and they send it to a Personal Shopper in your area who shops for you and delivers your order in their personal vehicle. Instacart is not a retailer or a seller of groceries or other merchandise.
Delivery is free on your first order. The delivery fee depends on the size of your order and the delivery time that you choose. The fee for each delivery will be displayed when selecting a delivery window during checkout, before you place your order. You can sign up for Instacart Express for either $9.99/month or $99/year. You can also try it for free with their 14-day free trial. With Instacart Express, you’ll get free delivery for orders $35 and over.
There is also a service fee of 5% (or $2 minimum) applied to non-alcohol items for non-Express members. Express members also pay a service fee, but it’s lower. Also, if you ask them to shop at more than one store, there’s a delivery fee per store.
Related:
Grocery pickup options Chicago
50 ways to save money on groceries
I’m having all staples delivered. I was walking to the grocery store for fresh produce but will be using Instacart now that the lockdown is being enforced.
The pile grows.
