Curbside and Delivery Groceries Reviews & Tips
Before the pandemic, these services were a game changer for saving time, money, and now despite everything going on right now, I am excited my local markets are joining in this…
A few things to mention. I know some households may not be able to do this. Below I have listed Global and Local Food Bank links and resources, that I also encourage you to donate to. I want to also provide other local resources to support businesses locally. These reviews and tips are based on my experience and hope to highlight local businesses, but also how I have utilized delivery and curbside pickups.
If you would like a full list of the Portland area of local restaurants, markets and specialty shops that are open and available for Curbside & Delivery Takeout, please visit this page too:
Portland Food Map Takeout - Curbside - Delivery Options
I also want to thank all the essential workers, and healthcare workers who are on the front lines every day of the Coronavirus Pandemic. You are our heroes, thank you & stay well.
Also, if you have the opportunity to donate to a Global or Local Food Bank, even a $1 can go a long way, some employers may even match the donation.
Global and Local Food Bank Links (based on where a lot of my followers are located):
National Celiac Association Food Bank
The Trussell Trust - Stop UK Hunger
Full Plates, Full Potential - End Childhood Hunger Portland, Maine
Good Shepard Foodbank of Maine
Also, don’t forget out fur friends:
Bangor Humane Society Pet Food Pantry
Grocery Shopping Tips:
1. Create Master list for Freezer food, Pantry food, and Meal planning for 2 weeks if you can. If the meals, you make can also be meals that will create 4-6 servings for leftovers. Also, we just experienced a storm here in Maine so trying to keep canned/pantry items that will not spoil. Examples: American Chop Suey, Soups, Rice & Beans with Frozen veggies, Shepard’s Pie, Casserole type dishes, PB & J sandwiches, Eggs & Spam …. just to name a few .
2. Hand write your list. You may need to make notes of where you can and can’t order the item(s) from. I typically try to organize my list by sections of the grocery store (if I had to go into one) and also have a section of household items (dish soap, trash bags, etc).
3. Curbside, Pick- Up, and Delivery. (Personally, right now I am only doing Delivery & Curbside pick up. I have not stepped foot in to a large market since March 13.) Honestly, I feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to go to a grocery store right now, waiting in line, wearing a mask…I am trying to do my part shopping locally while I can. I cannot give advice about going into stores shopping, but for me when I order curbside/ or on an app I tend to spend less money on my grocery bill, and was doing this leading up to this pandemic. I know some may not have this option.
Local Markets open that I have personally shopped at over the past 3 weeks:
Again supporting a bunch of different local vendors and businesses. I got a few things in the freezer section and bread for the kiddos. My favortie protein bars are here too- Bizy Bars !
Lots of great gluten free items, eggs, bacon, a few things of produce, and if you are in the mood for pizza (have Allergeena GF Crust) or sandwiches ( I sometimes get the sandwich made into a salad obviously sans bread for gluten free) so good! Clean, organized… Also have 2dinein.com available to order off menu.
Local Markets that provide Curbside pickup & Home Delivery:
Please read for further detail on ordering/pickup/delivery process. I will mention my experiences below the links, which are the names of the places.
Lois Natural Curbside - Scarborough & Portland No Minimum for pickup.
Hours are shorter, but ordered and picked up next day.The email and phone call process is a bit back and forth, I think 2 emails, 2 phone calls… but I think it’s important to verify what is ordered, and I realized I had additional items I could not get elsewhere. Customer Service is wonderful here. They also post on their Instagram almost daily, different items, which is how I saw their Easter goods, and was able to get things for my kids baskets this weekend. The pre-made food is also delicious- I ordered Gluten Free Chicken Parm and Wine 😊 both were great! Prices are a little more than large markets, but had specialty items (Gluten Free) that I need! And again remember you are supporting local when ordering in places like this!
Rosemont Market Curbside & Delivery - All Locations - Pick up Minimum $35… Delivery $10 -waived if over $150. Ordered same day AM – Pickup PM.
Ordered mostly produce, were out of a few items I had wanted, but this was on a Monday.
Scallops and their homemade hummus were amazing. Again, prices are a bit higher than your typical grocery market, BUT again supporting local, items are fresh, and at the bottom of my bill listed that 60% of my purchases were all local businesses. I did the Falmouth location which is a newer location, and it was easy to drive up, open my trunk and be on my way.
Native Maine - Westbrook - Curbside Pickup Minimum $75 or Free Delivery over $150. Monday-Saturday
I ordered on a Monday, and was delivered on a Thursday at 8 AM – they say between 8-4. Lots of bulk items like Bacon, Peanut Butter, and great produce.
Leavitt & Sons Deli - Curbside Pickup
This was a great Deli Meat Hack and also no minimum noted…. I was sitting across the street at Rosemont picking up my Curbside order and realized, genius – I will go across the street, call and order deli meat. Not to mention its Boar’s Head (Gluten Free) and tasty. They also have Take Home dishes too from Shepard’s Pie to Chicken Pot Pies.
The Cheese Shop of Portland Curbside Pickup
Charcuterie to Go – AMAZING … Mary & Will are awesome. Maine Crisp Crackers- My Favorite are located here, also running special right now through April here: Maine Crisp. Lots of wine and other pantry items, and NEW prepared foods menu now available. Easy to order and pay ahead, and pickup parking right on the side of the building!
Beverages
Coffee By Design - Diamond St. Location Curbside or Free Shipping over $30
Maine Craft Distilling Curbside or Delivery $5 Fee *Online Delivery Orders Only. Orders made after 6PM delivered at noon next day. I ordered online and did curbside pickup same day. Also note: Picture of Sanitizer not for consumption, but the Distillery is also creating this right now, you can also purchase online for pickup. Another cool fact - Oakhurst Dairy provided the containers!
Bow Street Beverage - Portland Curbside pickup or CarHop Alcohol Delivery Great selections of Spirits, Wine, Beer and Cider.
Friendly Discount Portland $50 Minimum delivery with $5 delivery fee. $200 free delivery. Great selection of wine and beer
Gluten Free Bakeries Curbside
100& GF-Lots of Dairy Free & Vegan options too. I called and ordered Vegan Lasagna, Whoopie PIes, and Cinnamon Buns (for Easter) 2 weeks ago and froze the items. Also if you have custom orders, I believe they are still accepting those too!
Wildflours Gluten Free Bakery - Brunswick
100 % GF -Call ahead and place order by phone and pay by phone, they have fresh and frozen items. Once you arrive, they have a table outdoors to pick up your order and the process. Saturdays tend to be the busiest, and I went really early last weekend. The muffins blueberry muffins and Cinnamon Rolls, and loaf of bread are some GF Favorites, and freeze well!
Large Supermarkets:
Download the apps. Or can use website online.
To book a time this past week has been near impossible. I ended up driving 30 min out of my way to a different Walmart because it was the only spot I could get last week.
No fee for pickup, minimum $35. Delivery is either $7.95 or $9.95, depending on the time. Delivery times typically start an hour later than pick up times. For example, if the soonest pickup slot was 7:00 a.m., the soonest delivery would 8:00-9:00 a.m.
The app is easy to use. You can also choose different locations based on your zip code. For me I have about 3 I could go to. This would be a great option if you are ordering for someone who is not tech savvy or can choose to deliver for your parents, grandparents, etc.
With the way things have been the past 2 weeks I have not been able to get a time slot. They have recently opened more days, so for example Friday I was able to place an order for Tuesday next week. I have a cart ready to purchase, and hope the items still remain in stock. The app has a nice feature that if something is not available you can choose the button for other options. Also, before you arrive you do get a list of the items not in stock, and if you choose to substitute it lists what they chose.
I have also shipped some pantry items, free shipping on certain amount, and quicker than Amazon.
Shipping, Pickup Options Drive Up, Pick up- No fee, I prefer Drive Up- if you have to do pick up you do not have to go to store they have Team Members outside who scan your bar code and go in to retrieve it. Shipt Delivery – have heard good things, personally have not tried it. Regular Delivery – pantry items, personal items, or household items I have shipped from here.I have found this quicker than Amazon, I do not have a Prime account.
Some changes- Limited times available, pickup service fee will be waived on orders of $125 or more, Reduced inventory -Substitutions will not be reviewed with you, All sales are final.I was using this the past 2 years since it became available after having the twins. It seemed that Friday evenings at 5PM pick up worked great for us because I could meal prep over the weekend to set up the week ahead. However, these days I hear is very difficult to get a time slot. Some waiting up until 12 AM to try to book. You can easily use your Hannaford rewards, pricing is up to date, and shows you the weekly deals.
Photos & Images are all taken by me, with an XR iPhone or Samsung Galaxy 7 phone.