Food delivery systems: Are they worth the hype?

As the senior in your life ages, routine tasks such as cleaning or grocery shopping may become more difficult.

Luckily, there are many services that are available to assist the loved one in your life with daily tasks that they are no longer able to do. One of the modern conveniences available are food delivery systems; the companies allow you to place your grocery order online or via telephone and they deliver the groceries straight to your loved one’s door. Before you sign up for a delivery plan, here are some things to keep in mind.

The Pros

Convenience

Convenience is one of the major reasons people order groceries through a delivery system. There are many options to choose from such as Grocery Gateway, Walmart and InstaBuggy. You sign up online, choose the items, pay online and the company delivers the groceries to the address of your choice. There are also companies such as Chefs Plate who can take the guesswork out of meal planning for your loved one. Chefs Plate will send kits which include everything needed to make a meal: the recipe, ingredients, spices and sauce.

Time

Instead of going to the grocery store, you can save a lot of time and energy by having the groceries delivered right to your loved one’s door.

No commitment

Most of the food delivery services do not require a commitment from you. You do not have to sign a contract to use their delivery service. You can try out a delivery system to see if it works for you. Depending on the company that you are using, you may be able to skip a delivery or cancel the service all together.

The Cons

Cost

You are paying a premium for convenience. The company will pick out the items, pack it and deliver it right to you or your loved one’s doorstep. The cost of delivery depends on the company. Grocery Gateway charges $9.99 delivery fee (plus HST), Walmart charges a $9.97 delivery fee and InstaBuggy charges anywhere from free delivery to $9.99 delivery depending on the amount of groceries ordered. Many companies will offer delivery free of charge on your first order.

Time constraints

You have to place the order in advance to get the delivery time that you would like. You can schedule a delivery two weeks to a day in advance depending on which company you order from. The delivery window is usually 90 minutes to 2 hours. Keep in mind that the recipient of the order will have to be available during the delivery otherwise a cancellation charge will apply.

Food delivery systems work for many people but they are not for everyone. The great thing about having groceries delivered is that the senior in your life can remain independent while you have peace of mind knowing they are receiving the groceries and meals they need. Try out different companies and see which one works for you. Share with us your favourite food delivery systems on Twitter @Srs_for_Srs