While these days, people are avoiding the grocery stores for different reasons, many of us try to avoid them regularly. Shopping for groceries is a huge time commitment and, especially when not planned out well, can easily lead to you spending beyond your budget. So, what can you do instead? We gathered a few alternatives to the grocery store that will keep you and your family fed and happy, and you might even find it benefits your wallet!
- Grocery Pickup/Delivery - Many stores now offer some form of ordering online with the option of picking up your order and having it delivered. Yes, pickup requires you to go TO the store, you won't have to go inside, so really, that's a huge win. Ordering online is fast and straightforward, you also won't get tempted by the extras you see while shopping, you will probably save money, as well as time.
- Instacart - If your grocery store does not have a delivery or pickup option, you may be able to use Instacart. Instacart is a third party company that shops for you and delivers your food, typically the same day.
- What A Crock Meals to Go - What A Crock offers multiple meal service options. You choose how many meals you need and how many people you want to serve, and you receive those meals shipped to you, fully prepared and frozen. There are plenty of meal kits out there, but those still take time and prep work. With What a Crock, you place a meal in your slow cooker in the morning, and you'll have a delicious dinner by evening, talk about an easy dinner! As a bonus, most customers find our serving sizes generous enough that there's enough leftover for lunch the next day.
- Misfits Market - Misfits Market delivers ugly, but otherwise perfectly edible fruits and vegetables right to your door. It's organic, you can choose the size and frequencies of your shipments, and it saves you money from grocery store prices. It seems like a win to us!
- Local Take Out - As a small business ourselves, we always like to support other small businesses in our communities when we can. Utilizing take out options at local restaurants and cafes will benefit your community and give you a break from cooking.
- Farmers Markets - Many stand-alone farmers' markets offer a lot of different options. Some offer more than your standard fruits and vegetables. You will be supporting a small business and local farmer while providing your family with delicious fresh food.
- Prime Pantry - Amazon Prime offers Prime Pantry in many areas. This service allows you to buy staple grocery items for delivery to your home. You can have them delivered on a set schedule so that you're never without your favorites.
Think outside of the box, plan, and use resources that are available to you, and you can avoid the grocery store altogether! Friends and family could work together to pick up and deliver groceries, that could save some trips to the store as well. Supporting local and small businesses is a benefit to your community and often helps you find solutions to problems you didn't know you had. Don't forget, with What A Crock, you not only avoid the store, you also avoid meal prep and clean up!