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July 8, 2022
Grocery delivery can be helpful for older adults who frequently stay home, have mobility issues, or simply want greater convenience. In most cases, these services come at an extra fee, but our favorite grocery delivery services make the process affordable and fast.
Did You Know: Grocery delivery isn’t the only way to get fresh food. To learn more, check out our favorite meal delivery services for seniors.
When evaluating over a dozen grocery delivery services, below is what we looked for.
Delivery fee: $3.99 and up
Locations served: U.S. and Canada
Membership: Not required
With Instacart, customers have the option to get their groceries delivered straight to their door or pick them up in person at one of many participating grocery retailers. Instacart partners with major retailers like ADLI and Albertsons, providing quality items with a designated delivery window or customizable pickup time that’s most convenient for you.
We chose Instacart as one of the best grocery delivery services for seniors because of their ease of use and convenience in offering either pick-up or delivery. Many other grocery delivery services don’t have the option of pickup, so Instacart might be worth considering if you like flexibility when shopping.
You don’t need to be a member to shop with Instacart. However, if you want to save on delivery fees, you might want to consider the Instacart+ membership which helps you save up to $7 on each order, along with free shipping on orders of $35 or more.
Delivery fee: Varies for one-hour delivery; frequently free two-hour delivery
Locations: 23 Amazon Fresh stores in the U.S.
Membership: Not required
Operating as both a physical store and online grocery marketplace, Amazon Fresh offers the best overall value for seniors. Customers don’t need to be an Amazon Prime member in order to shop for groceries at Amazon Fresh. However, if you do happen to be an Amazon Prime member, you can qualify for free same-day delivery and pickup in certain locations, along with other member perks.
To shop at Amazon Fresh using their online grocery marketplace, use the Amazon app and link your credit card. From there, you can add grocery items to your online checkout. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can qualify for free two-hour delivery on orders over $35.
If you prefer picking up your groceries instead of having them delivered, you can choose Store Pickup on your Amazon.com account and find a location nearest you. After you’ve done that, you will need to show a government-issued photo ID to pick up your order at the location you selected. Customers will have five days to pick up their order.
Amazon Fresh is a fairly new concept with limited physical store availability in the U.S. Amazon Fresh pickups are free to Amazon Prime members in select cities. Delivery order fees may vary depending on which option you select. For example, the two-hour delivery option is free to Amazon Fresh customers on orders over $35 in eligible regions.
FYI: Amazon has its own version of a medical alert system. To learn more, read our review of Alexa Together.
Delivery fee: Based on personal shopper’s preferences
Locations: 2,000 “personal shoppers” throughout the U.S.
Membership: Not required
If you’re an older adult who wants groceries delivered straight to your door, Dumpling will help you find a “personal shopper” near you. Simply enter your ZIP code and get matched with an expert shopper that often shops at the places you frequently shop.
With a customized in-app experience, you can chat directly with your personal shopper and inform them of any dietary restrictions or substitutions. The best part is that your personal shopper can get groceries from the places you enjoy shopping from, and they can do multiple trips to different stores.
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of Dumpling is that each “personal shopper” can set their own delivery and estimated gratuity fees. These fees can fluctuate depending on experience. However, this grocery delivery service does a great job of helping seniors feel less isolated with more personalized choices about their shopping. Be aware that the shopping and delivery fees can be on the expensive side compared to other grocery delivery service options. Additionally, while Dumpling is available in all 50 states – not all cities and ZIP codes are serviced.
Delivery fee: $0-$5.99
Locations: Throughout the U.S.
Membership: $98 a year
Joining Walmart+ gives you access to perks like free shipping and same-day delivery. Priced at $98 per year, this membership gives customers access to a quality online grocery service. Additionally, customers don’t have to deal with order minimums and can get exclusive member benefits like six months of free Spotify Premium.
For seniors who are looking for a convenient online grocery delivery service, opting for a Walmart+ membership might be a smart idea. It’s estimated that members can save up to $500 per year with free shipping on hundreds of eligible products. In addition to saving time from grocery shopping in-store, Walmart+ membership gives customers the option to save on fuel prices at over 14,000 fuel stations.
FYI: To learn more about Walmart discounts, read our guide to Walmart senior discounts.
Delivery fee: $5.99-$15.99
Locations: East Coast
Membership: $39-$79 for midweek, six months, or one-year membership
With 20 years in the business, FreshDirect is the online grocery delivery marketplace of choice for many seniors living on the East Coast. In addition to a 100% Freshness Guarantee, FreshDirect offers quality, fresh foods from popular brands at affordable prices.
Delivery fees vary depending on your location and customers can choose to opt for a DeliveryPass membership ranging from $39 to $79 each for a midweek, six-month, or yearly membership. If you sign up for their membership, you’ll have unlimited deliveries Tuesday through Thursdays with no delivery fees. Along with an impressive variety of produce, beverages, and wine and spirits, customers have the option to opt for prepared foods and meal kits for more convenience.
Delivery fee: Free on orders over $35; $7 for other orders
Locations: 48 states
Membership: $10.99 per month or $99 a year
Shipt offers affordable membership options and a one-time delivery option with no order minimum. With availability in 48 states, Shipt provides reliable and flexible membership plans with unlimited delivery on orders over $35. You can order groceries online or via the Shipt app. After choosing a payment option, you can select the delivery time and place your order. You can also check your app for up-to-date information on your order. Pricing varies depending on whether you opt for a membership.
For example, a Shipt membership costs $10.99 per month or $99 per year. With this membership, you get unlimited delivery on orders over $35. For seniors who prefer a membership-based online grocery delivery service, Shipt may be a great option to consider. With affordable prices, same-day delivery options, and flexible membership options, you’ll enjoy the convenience of online grocery shopping.
Grocery delivery services offer convenience and peace of mind to seniors who may not be able to pick up their groceries in-store. More importantly, online grocery delivery service companies help older adults save time and money without having to make multiple trips to the grocery store. With so many grocery delivery service options to choose from, we hope this guide has helped you find the one that offers the best value and quality for your grocery shopping needs.
Walmart+ provides affordable, same-day grocery delivery options as well as curbside pickup. Another option is Shipt, which offers some of the most affordable membership options for seniors.
Yes, there are many grocery delivery services that offer discounts and extra support to seniors. For example, Instacart has a dedicated senior support service center that can help older adults with orders.
Yes, several grocery delivery services may offer senior discounts.
