FreshDirect.com

Fresh direct is an online supermarket that delivers groceries to your door. I’ve been gleefully using them for about a year, and I now consider non-virtual shopping completely barbaric. No more forcing shopping carts through crowded Manhattan grocery stores, no more buying only what I can carry 10 blocks home.

Now, I simply sit on my duff at my computer, and go to Freshdirect.com. I quickly skim through categories like, “organic,” “dairy,” “grocery,” and “frozen,” and click on the items I want. After I have finished virtually shopping, they present me with a list of everything I have in my cart, and show me a price total that will be charged to my credit card. All that’s left is choosing a date and time for delivery.

It might not seem like the most inexpensive way to grocery-shop, but my savings in time and energy is notable. A lot of their prices are actually competitive with Manhattan’s already high prices. It’s mainly their organic fruits and veggies that I’ve found to be a bit steep, but when I receive organic apples which have been packaged in plastic containers that keep them so well protected they don’t have a single scratch or bruise, I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth. Plus, they offer items like bottled water and paper towels in bulk, so there is some savings there.

My only complaint is that they don’t have a very large selection of organic food, and very few organic sundries, so trips to Whole Foods are still necessary for me on occasion. Also, I have never ordered any of their meat, seafood, or poultry, so I can’t personally vouch for any of that.

One of their best features is “quick shop,” which allows you to look back at past orders and re-order with one click. This is great for me, because I buy practically the same staples every two weeks.

If you live in a city, I say give it a try with some of your staple grocery items to begin with; delivery is free. I bet you’ll become a fresh direct addict like me in no time.

- Jen

16 comments August 29th, 2006