NATIONWIDE – As the spread of the novel coronavirus continues to change daily tasks, grocery shopping is now atop the list of high-risk activities.
The White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now advising Americans to avoid grocery stores and pharmacies as the next few weeks threaten a high risk for spread of COVID-19.
READ MORE | Making Food Last During the Coronavirus
So if you can’t physically walk the aisles of grocery stores, here are some options for delivery services.
NATIONAL
Boxed
If you're looking to buy products in bulk, consumers highly recommend Boxed. The delivery service offers free delivery over $49 and no membership fees. Boxed offers products from a variety of categories including snacks, beverages, household essentials, and wellness.
InstaCart
InstaCart works with various grocery retailers including Aldi, Costco, BJ’s, and Target and local stores as well. The company uses independent-contractor shopper/drivers to pick up orders in stores and deliver.
Availability and grocery selection for Instacart orders vary based on what supermarkets are in your area, as well as how many workers are around to complete the orders and deliver to you.
If you want to eliminate delivery fees, you can sign up for Instacart Express for either $9.99 a month or $99 a year and you'll receive unlimited free delivery for all orders over $35.
Delivery includes a 5 percent service fee and delivery fees go up at more popular times
InstaCart adds delivery times throughout the day and does a full refresh on Mondays.
Shipt
Shipt services are widely available and allow you to shop from local stores with the help of a personal shopper who will pick up and deliver your goods. Shipt requires a membership to shop--$99 annually, or $14 a month. It does partner with fewer grocery stores.
Amazon
Amazon Fresh offers grocery delivery in select cities. The service is only available by invitation.
There are no monthly fees for Amazon Fresh, and you only have to pay delivery fees if your order is less than $35. The service is only available to Amazon Prime subscribers. Prime membership generally costs $12.99 per month or $119 per year, and new subscribers are eligible for a 30-day free trial.
You can get free two-hour delivery of grocery orders of $35 or more from Amazon and Whole Foods Market.
Walmart
Offers bulk-sized pantry items by mail. Walmart also now offers InHome Delivery, a way to shop for groceries and have an employee load groceries directly to your fridge.
Walmart offers membership service, Delivery Unlimited, for a price of $12.95 every month, or for a grand total of $98 a year, you can have an unlimited amount of Walmart Grocery Delivery orders.
Delivery will cost a flat $9.95 with no other service or delivery fees. There is a $30 order minimum. Consumers can only schedule for same-day or next-day delivery and can't see delivery availability until after the cart is filled.
LOCAL
H-E-B
The Lone State State retailer is offering free next day Curbside pickup at all stores that currently offer the service as well as $5 Home Delivery fee.
Customers who shop online at heb.com or in the My H-E-B App can schedule pick up at their closest H-E-B store or choose to have their products delivered to their home.
The retailer, in partnership with Favor Delivery, has launched a simple, low-cost solution that gives seniors access to their very own personal shopper by phone during the coronavirus pandemic.
Target
There is generally a $35 minimum purchase, and the delivery fee is $9.99. You can also sign up for a free four-week of Shipt, Target’s same-day grocery service, and get unlimited deliveries for free. After the free trial, Shipt costs $99 per year.
Sam’s Club
During special shopping hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., seniors and those with disabilities or a compromised immune system can shop Sam’s Club without ever leaving their car. From a designated parking location, members in need can place their order from their car, and a Sam’s Club associate will grab the items on the list.
In addition to these retailers, San Antonio and Austin restaurants are offering grocery options, curbside pickup and delivery.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
While people rush to these stores, or online, shortages continue to face many communities.
Two Texas students have created the instok.org website to track what’s available in your area.
In addition, consumers are recommended to shop outside of peak hours and order from one store.