Access to grocery delivery in Toronto should be the last think someone is worrying about. With COVID-19 on everyone’s mind these days, and the much needed enforcement of self isolation for travellers arriving from abroad (like snowbirds) and anyone who has tested positive for or been exposed to the virus, the last thing we want to worry about is not having access to necessities.
Luckily, there is a growing availability of online platforms for ordering groceries, or even phone orders, for delivery to your home or pick-up location (like Canada Post or Penguin Pickup location). So we set out to find all the available options to people in Toronto.
And so, we’ve got the rundown for you on some of the city’s best grocery delivery services.
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Online Third-party Grocery Delivery Options Available:
Instacart
The third-party delivery app can be used to shop from various stores including Walmart, Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws and more. The delivery fee varies depending on the order size and time of delivery. Frequent customers also subscribe to Instacart Express, which helps to save delivery fees.
Inabuggy
This online grocery and alcohol delivery service allows you to shop from Costco, FreshCo, LCBO, Rexall, Walmart and many more. You can shop from multiple stores at once and have it all delivered to your doorstep at the same time. It costs $19.98 for the first store and $9.99 for each additional store.
Cornershop
You can shop from different stores depending on your area of residence. Both small, local businesses and big chains like Longo’s and Metro, and local shops like Organic Garage, are all available on this app. The delivery fee ranges from $7.8 to $9.9 depending on the order size.
Uber, Foodora, Skip the Dishes and Doordash
Get fresh produce and high-quality ingredients from places like Rabba Fine Foods, local convenience stores or even some of your local restaurants. Even restaurants like JOEY restaurants are now offering grocery, pantry and dry goods via their food delivery apps. Probably not the most economical option of them all, but if it’s off hours and you are desperate for eggs, milk, or any other household basics, this is definitely an option.
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Grocery Gateway
This service is operated by Longo’s and you can add in LCBO purchases along with it as well. The standard delivery fee for residential customers is $9.99, with same day delivery options. The ‘Cart Starters’ option is great for those who are shopping for the first time and needs specific ingredient lists.
PC Express
This service is clearly operated by President’s Choice, owned by Loblaw. Offering groceries from a variety of their brands including Loblaws, Fortino’s, Real Canadian Superstore, Independent City Markets, Valu-mart, No Frills and Wholesale club. Then just choose to pickup your groceries from either the store, or a local transit, self-serve, or neighbourhood pickup location. During the pandemic, prices will remain the same in-store and online through PC Express pickup, and they are eliminating pick-up fees for all PC Express online grocery pickup orders, as well as bringing the price of home-delivered items down.
Virtual Farmers Market
A whole new way of delivering food put together by Kendal Hills Farm for small farmers & producers. People are taking notice and they’re starting to receive support from government (help finding a larger space), companies (on the technology side) and people to make it smoother for everyone. In the meantime, they are asking for your understanding as they set some boundaries to make things manageable. Outside of the Market’s hours it is ‘closed’ and password protected while vendors make and prepare food. You do NOT need a password for the market when it opens at noon (only on off hours it will ask for one). They have four delivery days, and each day, their team is capable of making 130 deliveries. Once that limit is hit, you won’t be able to order (even if it looks like it’s not sold out).
Grow, Gather & Co.
If you’re looking to support local, or just having trouble curating your own shopping list for delivery, Grow, Gather and Co. is offering highly curated baskets that offer a variety of necessities. With prebuilt baskets ranging from $100-280, or the option to build your own basket. Including things like dairy, bread, pasta, fish, poultry, meat, truffles and mushrooms.
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In-House Online or Phone Grocery Delivery Options in Toronto:
Walmart.ca Grocery
Available for online orders for free pickup from stores, delivery to your home (depending on your area), or local Penguin pickup locations. Although also undergoing extreme increase in sales, a representative did confirm that the service is still available. They recently also announced the option to keep your cart items and wait until a future time when a delivery slot options up for you (when booked solid).
McEwan Fine Foods
Unlike the larger grocery stores backed by large corporations, McEwan Foods, a boutique higher-end grocery store, is still going the extra mile to help their customers. Offering earlier opening hours for seniors as well as 10% off, as well as free delivery in the downtown core. Orders can be placed through Inabuggy, but you can also call the store to place your order. So if you or someone know who isn’t the most tech-savy, this may be the best solution for them! Just call them at 416.975.0808 to place your order.
Fresh City Farms
Organic, sustainable and seasonal fresh food, just like at your local Farmers Market. Exclusive products, with competitive pricing. Available online for home delivery. The have an extensive list of organic, small-batch, artisanal or local suppliers that have been curated by their team. There’s a $27 minimum order, plus a delivery fee of $3 to $3.50 that’s waived for orders of $75 and up. Delivery days vary by neighbourhood. Orders arrive between noon and 9 p.m., but you don’t need to be home to receive it.
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T&T Supermarket
Who knew your local Asian grocery store delivered? Well, they are actually part of the Loblaw group and its seems as if their delivery platform runs off the same format as PC Express. Although they are still delivering, there has been a warning that there are delays due to recent volumes.
Known for the office delivery service, Mr. Case also delivers to for your home and home office needs too. Offering contactless next day delivery of over 10,000 grocery items (including fresh produce), over 15,000 office items, and some even offered in bulk. If you’re just looking for bread, bananas, or even a new desk chair, Mr. Case can help. But if you’re looking to re-stock your eggs, poultry or any other raw meats, they they might not be able to help.
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Easypeasy is a brother-sister team helping people and families in GTA west have easy access to healthy food essentials, at no additional delivery cost. Unlike many other delivery services, Easypeasy curates the selection of necessary essentials at one flat rate. Recently advising that they are doing what they can to price their Fresh Essentials Kits as low as possible, while still being able to operate the service, and “still feed their families.” Each kit contains over 35 lbs. of fresh food, priced at $70, and includes things like a selection of fruits and vegetables, dry pasta, pasta sauce, eggs, white bread and white rice. Gluten free kits are available at times too.
Grocery delivery options by Toronto neighbourhoods is available here on BlogTO.
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