My daughter 3 years ago with her shopping cart.

The novel coronavirus has created a new normal, hopefully this is all temporary, but part of my new normal is completely avoiding the grocery store at all costs. Luckily for us, the internet and food delivery companies have made this easier than ever. No, I’m not talking Instacart or Amazon Fresh. I’m talking about companies that I have loved for a long time, and I am leaning on more than ever.

It feels very weird to lose a part of our weekly routine; I get so much inspiration from walking around the grocery store! These circumstances have inspired me to be more creative and work harder to find the things that I want and be even more diligent about reducing waste at home. All bones and scraps become stock, every last leftover can be a hash the next day, and the last ditch effort before the garbage can is letting my dog nibble on little treats he would normally never get.

Some amazing innovation has come out of this, including so many restaurants transforming their curbside pick-up to include pantry items. Our community has really banded together to make foodstuffs and household necessities safely available. I implore you to look and see what your favorite restaurants are offering in an effort to support them during this time. At my family’s restaurant, EJ’s Place, we are offering a weekends-only Curbside menu. Many, many, many other restaurants are offering even more and all week long. I have ordered milk and flour from Bodega Biscay, the re-imagination of a West Town restaurant I love Bar Biscay. My cousins at Gene & Georgetti are offering pantry staples as well as a pick-up and delivery menu.

Mick Klug Farm: now offering home delivery the MI-based farm is delivering to the Chicagoland area. They are offering frozen fruits and CSA boxes. Some of the best restaurants in Chicago use Mick Klug as a wholesaler, this new delivery is an awesome service!
Local Foods: my favorite grocer in Chicago is offering delivery through Mercato! Check out Local Foods to support local food growers like Mighty Vine Tomato, Mick Klug, and many more including their in-house butcher Butcher & the Larder. Local Foods is a great place for interesting cuts of meat, wonderful sausages, and many IL-based products.
Paulina Meat Market: one of my favorite butchers in Chicago is offering curbside pick-up and deliver of groceries. This is a great resource for those of you in Chicago hoping to get fresh meats. Paulina’s selection is expansive and wonderful. It is also a local small business that I am happy to support.
Rustic Tart Ready to Roll Dough: a Chicago-grown and woman-owned company, Ready to Roll makes both sweet and savory doughs for everything from apple pie to chicken pot pie. While not available for online delivery Rustic Tart is available from Paulina Meat Market, and the Mick Klug Farm CSA boxes when you upgrade to “Chicago Favorites”, but really if you have to venture out—buy this dough!
Porter Road: one of my personal favorites, I love Porter Road meat delivery and have posted about them many times before. They have a wide selection of pasture raised and heritage quality meats. Beef vs Bacon, and Dry Aged Ground Beef are bargain buys that you can stock up on. Make sure you have the freezer space!
Cappello’s: freshly-made gluten free pastas, GF pizza, and GF cookie dough… need I say more? This is NOT your average gluten free foodstuffs, this brand is AWESOME! For people with food allergies or sensitivities, I cannot imagine the added pressure of trying to shop right now with the limited availability of many products.
Imperfect Produce: food waste is alarming right now. Major food distributors are losing millions of pounds of waste a week. Imperfect Produce is fighting this waste; it’s not the prettiest produce but it tastes the same, the imperfections are sometimes just oddly shaped potatoes, and they deliver weekly straight to your door!
Dorothy’s Creamery: this Illinois-based cheesemaker has an online shop with FREE 2-day delivery for orders over $25! These soft-ripened ooey-gooey melting cheeses are great for grilled cheese sandwiches, quiche (with Rustic Tart savory dough!), or just spread on crackers. Cheese is so comforting, this is a can’t miss.
Grove Collaborative: this is my favorite site for online shipping of natural household cleaners, supplies, and beauty products. They have been so generous with all sorts of freebies. Log on now and you get free Mrs. Meyers cleaning products! They also have a great subscription program. Here is my referral code.

Remember when we took fully stocked shelves for granted?

I hope these resources help make things easier for you as you shelter in place. I know this is just a small snapshot of what is available, but it has truly helped me and I hope I have truly helped you. Stay safe and well!

xo,

Gabbie

Gabbie's List of Food Delivery