The complete guide to grocery delivery in Indianapolis
Let's talk kids. Let's talk grocery shopping. Let's talk about how sometimes the equation of kids + grocery shopping = the seventh circle of Hell. WE HEAR YOU PARENTS. And we get it. So we asked writer Laurel to deep-dive into what grocery delivery options are available to us in Indianapolis. And boy did she deliver {ha!}. Also: Because we want to be upfront with you, this post is sponsored by our friends at Market Wagon of Indianapolis. Now read on, reader...
Americans love to shop online. The ease of ‘search, click, and purchase’ makes mundane errands quick and simple, and our desire for ease has expanded into the realm of grocery shopping. Today only 3% of grocery shopping takes place online, but retailers expect the trend to take off soon. What’s holding shoppers back from jumping on the bandwagon? Customers have two primary concerns:
Understanding the cost of delivery and,
Having no quality control over food selected.
What if we told you there was an online retailer in Indy that sourced all their items from local farms and artisans and delivered for a flat $5.95 fee {or free if you pick up}? It might sound too good to be true, but Market Wagon is the brainchild of Nick Carter, who found a way to combine his love of farming and experience with tech startups to create what could be described as an online farmer’s market. “I grew up on a small family farm,” Carter explained. “Industrial farming was not friendly to family farms like ours, and when I was ready to start a career, there was no opportunity for me to remain a farmer. But, by giving farmers access to consumers through local markets, like ours, we are enabling farmers to thrive again.” Carter was excited to see not only his family farm find new opportunities through Market Wagon, but has witnessed a new generation of farmers taking over as they find new business opportunities through online suppliers for their small farms.
Market Wagon customers select the products they want, and the farms or artisans they want to buy from.
“Local food is about so much more than just geography,” said Carter. “It’s reconnecting ‘agri’ with ‘culture’. There are relationships and respect for the land when the consumers have an idea of who grew it and where it came from.” Each farm lists their products, describes its growing practices, and can even respond on the site directly to shoppers’ questions about its products. “We hear constantly from our customers how much they appreciate that they aren’t just buying eggs or a head of lettuce from ‘Market Wagon’, but they are buying it from Dan and Dion and Lory and Lavonne. They know their farmers now, converse with them on our website, and have a loyalty to them, not only to us.” No minimum orders or subscriptions are required to shop, so customers have no obligation to purchase and there are no hidden fees. Market Wagon customers can shop for everything from produce, meats, dairy products, and bakery items to, desserts, pet treats, soaps, cosmetics, and more. Orders must be placed on Tuesdays for Thursday delivery or pickup, so shoppers need to plan ahead.Best part? Pickup locations - aka Market Hosts - are available all around the city, ensuring you're not hauling your busy family to one warehouse location but rather can make a stop convenient to home. {Example spots: The Agrarian, Jockamo Pizza, Moody Meats and more.}
If you need more last-minute grocery options, there are several delivery services in Indianapolis that may suit your needs.
Instacart
Details: Based out of San Francisco, Instacart hires local shopper to visit Whole Foods, Costco, Kroger, Meijer, Aldi, and Fresh Thyme, and delivers items to your home in two hours. Delivery starts at $3.99 or join InstaCart Express for $99 for the year and get free delivery on all orders over $35.
Shipt
Details: Shipt uses an Uber-like model, where shoppers {like you!} fill and delivery your groceries. Currently they shop in Target and Meijer in our area and can deliver within an hour of your order. Delivery is free for orders greater than $35, but there is an annual membership fee of $99.
Green Bean Delivery
Details: Green Bean is based here in Indy, and offers organic produce and natural groceries sourced locally, whenever possible. You choose regular or subscription orders. You’ll select a delivery day based on your location, allowing Green Bean to reduce their carbon footprint by keeping deliveries grouped by location. Delivery is free for orders over $65.
OTHER GREAT FOOD OPTIONS? This full list of where Kids Eat Free in Indianapolis is definitely worth bookmarking!
Peapod
Details: Peapod delivers from their own inventory instead of shopping other grocery stores. They carry national brands as well as their own store brand, and offer natural and organic selections, local items, and prepared dishes. Delivery can be as soon as the following day, and fees start at $7; the minimum order is $60. Peapod also accepts manufacturer coupons.
Amazon Prime Now
Details: As if we didn't already love the speed of Amazon on all other things, they also offer grocery delivery in select markets including Indianapolis. Options include household items, groceries, electronics, gifts, seasonal items, and more. If you don't feel comfortable having groceries delivered, Amazon can also drop them to a local locker such as at Whole Foods. Amazon coupons occasionally available on the items you shop a well. We’d be remiss if we didn’t honor all those area grocery stores for letting busy moms grab our groceries at the curb from the way home from work or soccer practice. Also, many area grocery stores already offer - or are launching! - grocery delivery services as well.
Kroger Pickup (formerly Clicklist) $4.95 per order, but your first 3 orders are free
Market District Curbside Express service is free, $35 minimum order
Meijer Curbside $4.95 per order
Sam’s Club Club Pickup service is free with Sam’s Club membership
Walmart Grocery Pickup (select locations) service is free, $30 minimum order
