How to get groceries without leaving your home
Mar 24, 2020, 4:11 PM | Updated: Oct 8, 2024, 7:21 am
An Amazon worker wheels back a cart after loading a bag of groceries into a customer's car at an AmazonFresh Pickup location in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Under Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay at home order, all Washingtonians are instructed to stay home except for essential work or errands. While grocery shopping is included in the list of “essential” reasons to leave your house, it’s important to limit your trips.
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For those who are more at risk for severe illness, are already ill, or want to be extra cautious, there are plenty of delivery or pickup services and options for you to receive food without having to leave your home or car.
Services such as Instacart, Shipt, and Postmates let you pay someone to shop and deliver groceries to your door. Individual grocery stores also have delivery or pickup services. Many of them have also reserved times for vulnerable populations, and have installed sneeze guards and 6 foot markers at checkstands.
From the Albertsons website:
Our stores are working very hard right now to maintain in-stock conditions of your favorite items and necessities. When you place an online order, we’ll attempt to fulfill it completely with your selected products or acceptable substitutions. Out of stocks may occur based on product availability, and you will not be charged for any missing items. We apologize for any inconvenience. Frequently Asked Questions
Albertsons stores across Washington have reserved Tuesday and Thursday 7 – 9 a.m. for “at-risk shoppers.
Safeway (and Albertsons) is implementing new social distancing guidelines for customers. Each store is marking off designated waiting points at checkstands and service stations (deli, bakery, meat/seafood, pharmacy, and customer service counters).
From Amazon’s website:
Prime members in select cities can shop for groceries, everyday essentials, and more with Amazon Fresh. Amazon Fresh offers Attended Delivery and Unattended Delivery, with Pickup options in select cities. Amazon Fresh is available exclusively to Amazon Prime members by invitation only.
Visit Amazon.com/Fresh to see if delivery or pickup is available in your area.
Costco offers two-day and same day delivery, product availability varies by location. Simply add your zip code to view product availability.
Members 60 and older can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at all Costco locations except Business Centers.
Same-day pickup is free at many store locations. Delivery arrives within hours and generally costs $9.95. Shipped groceries usually take 1-3 days and you must order a minimum of $35 worth of groceries.
Fred Meyer is allowing seniors and high-risk customers to shop between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
From the Metropolitan Market website:
Shop at Metropolitan Market from any device. Get your groceries in as little as an hour, or when you want them. Fresh handpicked groceries from Metropolitan Market to your front door!
From the PCC website:
Shop at PCC Community Markets from any device. PCC offers delivery through Instacart. Get your groceries in as little as an hour, or when you want them. Fresh handpicked groceries from PCC Community Markets to your front door!
From the Pike Place Market website:
Our Senior Center, Food Bank and Clinic will remain open to provide vital services to the most vulnerable among us. And, in partnership with the City of Seattle Human Services Department, we will continue our bi-weekly produce deliveries to low-income preschool sites. There are also five locations for curbside pickup at the market. Check here for more information.
Same-day pickup is free at many store locations. Delivery arrives within hours and generally costs $9.95. Shipped groceries usually take 1-3 days and you must order a minimum of $35 worth of groceries.
QFC is allowing seniors and high-risk customers to shop between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
From the Safeway website:
Our stores are working very hard right now to maintain in-stock conditions of your favorite items and necessities. When you place an online order, we’ll attempt to fulfill it completely with your selected products or acceptable substitutions. Out of stocks may occur based on product availability, and you will not be charged for any missing items. We apologize for any inconvenience. Frequently Asked Questions
Safeway stores across Washington have reserved Tuesday and Thursday 7 – 9 a.m. for ‘at-risk shoppers.’
Safeway (and Albertsons) is implementing new social distancing guidelines for customers. Each store is marking off designated waiting points at checkstands and service stations (deli, bakery, meat/seafood, pharmacy, and customer service counters).
In addition to delivery, Target also offers Drive Up and Order Pickup services from its stores.
Target has reserved the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.
Trader Joe’s does not deliver groceries itself. From Trader Joe’s website:
Store hours will remain 9AM to 7PM. Every day between 9AM and 10AM, crew members will maintain an additional line outside the front door for our senior customers. This will ensure that those customers in need will have an expedited entrance to the store to help make their experience a more positive one.
Uwajimaya says you can use Instacart and have groceries delivered to your home in two hours. Available in select zip codes.
Walmart is offering a monthly plan to eliminate per-order fees. You can pay $12.95 per month or $98 annually.
From Whole Foods website:
We’re adjusting hours, have special hours for at-risk populations and are partnering with Amazon to expand delivery and pickup. We are also working to expand pickup to all markets under an accelerated time line. Click here to view the current list of stores offering pickup services.
Whole Foods is allowing shoppers 60 and older to shop one hour before opening to the public.
We’re waiting to hear back from Haggen and Thriftway on pickup orders or delivery services.
NOTE: If you use and like a different service, please let us know in the comments.
Check for the latest updates on the stay-at-home order and coronavirus here.
