Same-day grocery delivery is game changer
As I was baking pies the day before Thanksgiving, someone else was doing my grocery shopping. And, no, it wasn’t my husband or one of my kids! It was my own personal grocery shopper, Kristi.
Panic! That’s what I felt on that morning when I looked in the fridge and realized I was missing a few items for my Thanksgiving cooking. I had also forgotten to pick up something to make for supper that night. I had a full day of cooking planned and, as much as I love grocery shopping, I avoid supermarkets on the day before a holiday at all costs.
Instead of braving the long lines and full parking lot at the grocery store, I turned to my computer.
It was my first time to use a grocery delivery service, and now I have to admit, I may be hooked.
The experience
I used the Kroger delivery service, which is free the first time you try it. Afterward, it’s $11.95 per delivery, with free delivery with the purchase of select promotional items.
The website was easy to navigate. It has photos of products and can be searched by both item and brand name. It also gave me options for substitutions if my product was not available.
About 45 minutes after placing my order, I got a text from Kristi saying she was my personal shopper. I have to tell you, I felt like the rich and famous.
Kristi texted as she shopped, confirming items and asking me if I would be OK with a substitution because my first pick wasn’t in the store. She also asked if I needed anything else, so I decided to give the service a test and asked for a bottle of cranberry juice. She said, “Sure!”
Once the shopping was complete, I then got a text letting me know that Kristi was on the way, with an estimated time of arrival. My groceries were in my kitchen just under two hours after I placed the order.
I love to grocery shop, but this was
about the most convenient thing I have done.
Memphis delivery options
Several same-day delivery options debuted in Memphis earlier this fall.
Kroger has partnered with Instacart for its delivery service, which is available at all Memphis-area stores. On a non-rush time, Kroger says delivery can happen within an hour. At peak hours, it can take longer, as in my experience. You can also schedule when you want your groceries delivered if ordering in advance.
Whole Foods also has delivery service. Its program is run through Amazon or Instacart, you choose. Amazon Prime members get free delivery for orders over $35 if using Amazon delivery.
Shipt is another option. Shipt requires an annual or monthly membership, which ranges from $8.25 per month to $14 per month depending on the plan. They also offer same-day delivery, often as soon as an hour, and free delivery on orders over $35. The one nice thing about Shipt is that it can deliver from a variety of stores, including Kroger and Target. I have a friend who used her membership while on vacation in Florida to order from Publix.
Each service also gives you the option to tip your personal shopper. The Kroger default tip was pretty low, so I changed the amount to tip 20 percent. I felt Kristi earned every cent.
As I shop at various stores, I’ll be trying
Scan, Bag, Go
And one more tip: If shopping instore at Kroger, try its new “Scan, Bag, Go” program. I found this was a big time-saver when it came to the checkout lines. Super simple, you scan and bag your items as you shop. When finished, simply scan your scanner bar code on the self-checkout register, pay and be on your way.
Memphis in May barbecue team registration underway
Calling all pitmasters! Team registration is officially open for the 42nd annual Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Contest. This coming year, the world-renowned barbecue competition will be May 15-18.
Applications are available at memphisinmay.org/wcbcc-teams, and the submission deadline is Feb. 15.
Festival organizers typically accept approximately 235 top-tier barbecue teams in the competition. Each year the team spaces fill quickly, so don’t delay if you want to compete.
Venice Kitchen opens
After an extensive renovation of the dining room, bar and the menu, an East Memphis neighborhood favorite is back. On Nov. 19, Old Venice Pizza Company re-opened as Venice Kitchen.
“We have new decor, a new cocktail menu and we upped our wine list,” said James Branch, Venice Kitchen general manger. “We kept favorites like the crawfish rolls, but added dishes like grilled salmon, shrimp and grits, and a filet.”
Venice Kitchen is located at 368 Perkins Extd. and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Memphis Farmers Market Holiday Market reopens Dec. 8
The Memphis Farmers Market’s annual Holiday Market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 8.
The market reopens for this one Saturday every winter for holiday shopping, featuring locally made foods, produce and gifts for the season. Hot chocolate and coffee will be served at this festive “shop local” market.
The annual holiday market will be held at the Memphis Farmers Market pavilion at G.E. Patterson and South Front Street.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining Reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal .com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.