Online Grocery Shopping

Online grocery shopping is on the rise, and the options are plentiful — from having a shopper deliver goods at your door to curbside pickup and more. But even the most experienced grocery shoppers may need to learn new tricks when ordering food online.

1Find the delivery method that suits your needs
Need lots of fresh produce delivered right away? Look for a service that gives your list to a personal shopper to take through a local store and deliver at your doorstep. If you’re looking to stock up on pantry staples, a service that ships from a warehouse is a great way to get what you need without having to step foot inside a store. Many stores also offer curbside pickup, where you pick out your items online, check out and drive to the store to have your order placed directly into your trunk.

2Consider eco-friendly packaging
Food packaging is designed to protect its contents — keeping the food safe and flavorful while preserving its nutrients. Look for packaging that protects the planet once it has served its purpose.

Many types of food and beverage packages can be recycled and turned into new materials. For example, cartons can be turned into paper products, such as tissues and paper towels, and even sustainable building materials.

Packages that weigh less will translate to reduced carbon emissions during shipping. For example, carton packages are about 60% lighter than cans, and they are made mainly from renewable materials. Even pet food can be found in cartons.

Keep in mind that many of your chilled favorites, such as milk or plant-based dairy alternatives, may also be available in shelf-stable cartons. This means the product doesn’t need to be chilled during shipping, eliminating the need to pack items on ice. No matter how long shipping takes, or how long the box remains on the doorstep, your items will arrive safe to eat and with the quality you expect.

3Plan ahead
Take advantage of the ability to assemble your grocery cart at home by assessing any long-term needs for staple items, like pasta, broths and beans. If you’re short on food storage space, look for foods packaged in square shapes. Stackable, shelf-stable cartons help make the most of every inch. Many canned goods now come in carton packages too.

4Give specific instructions to your shopper
Sometimes your favorite items will be out of stock. If you’re using a personal shopping service, make sure to include notes for preferred replacement items, especially if there’s another brand or flavor you’d like if your first choice is unavailable. You can also note how green you’d like your bananas or how ripe your ideal avocado may be.

Online grocery shopping might require you to approach shopping a bit differently, but with a little bit of practice, you can have the food and other supplies you and your family need delivered directly to your doorstep.