Hy-Vee, Piggly Wiggly Offer Seniors Free DoorDash Delivery

Beginning March 27, more than 2,000 grocery store locations nationwide will be waiving delivery fees on orders fulfilled by DoorDash for those 60 years of age and older. Grocers such as Hy-Vee, Woodman’s, Kowalski’s Markets and hundreds of independents such as Piggly Wiggly, LifeThyme Natural Market, Le District and Matherne’s are participating in the initiative, which runs through May 1 or May 7, depending on the grocer. 

Led by on-demand local logistics platform DoorDash, alongside e-commerce grocery solutions Mercato, Rosie, GrocerKey and Freshop, the effort aims to make grocery delivery more accessible for the country’s most vulnerable age group during the coronavirus crisis. To minimize contact between the customer and deliverer, or Dasher, customers have the option to request no-contact delivery at checkout and can note in the checkout page where their order should be left.

“In our continued emphasis on safety and health throughout this crisis, we want to make sure that those who are most at risk are able to shop for their daily grocery needs online and access affordable and safe on-demand grocery options without ever having to leave their homes,” said Casey North, VP of Drive at San Francisco-based DoorDash, in a statement. “We are proud to team up with our partners in the grocery industry to make this a reality across stores nationally.” 

Grocery partners and stores have on-demand access to the DoorDash Dasher fleet to fulfill deliveries. With participating stores in almost every major city in the U.S., eligible customers can shop from local specialty markets, independent grocers and major regional chains, receiving free delivery on items such as meat, fish, produce, bakery goods, prepared foods and pantry staples.  

Starting March 31, Hy-Vee of West Des Moines, Iowa, will offer free delivery to individuals who are 60 and older, as well as expectant mothers and those who are considered high risk for illness in communities where Hy-Vee Aisles Online delivery orders are fulfilled by DoorDash. These customers will be able to use a designated promo code at checkout when they place their order through hy-vee.com/grocery. The promotion with Hy-Vee will cover up to 20,000 deliveries. 

In partnership with DoorDash, Kowalski’s and Woodman’s, GrocerKey is extending free delivery to customers throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois through May 1. Working with grocers throughout the U.S. and Canada, Madison, Wis.-based GrocerKey provides a retailer-branded e-commerce platform built for independent and regional grocery chains. GrocerKey also provides full-service solutions, including in-store labor to pick and pack orders for fulfillment.

Mercato of San Diego provides online ordering and same-day delivery from independent grocery and specialty food stores across the country. To receive unlimited free delivery from any one of Mercato’s more than 900 participating stores through May 7, shoppers can use the promo code OVER60. Shoppers will be prompted to enter their date of birth. When the delivery arrives, customers need to show ID verification to the delivery driver. 

“The current health crisis has made food procurement a challenge for everyone, but for those over 60 years of age, long lines and crowded stores pose an elevated risk,” said Bobby Brannigan, Mercato founder and CEO, in a release. “At the same time, independent grocers are showing their true character and that’s a deep-rooted desire to provide their communities with quality, and in many cases, local food items. By waiving our delivery fees, we hope to connect these two groups and help foster the type of connections that make our local communities across the nation so special.”

Rosie of Ithaca, N.Y., is an e-commerce partner to independent retailers such as Rosauers Supermarkets, Super 1 Foods, Macey’s, Gourmet A’Fare and many others. To sign up for free delivery through May 7, shoppers can visit www.rosieapp.com and use promo code DDFREE at checkout for nearly 200 participating retailers.

“Now more than ever, Americans across the country need a safe and reliable way to get groceries for their households. Our partnership with DoorDash has enabled independent grocers across the nation to serve more members of their communities with a no-contact delivery option,” said Nick Nickitas, founder and CEO of Rosie, in a release. “This free-delivery campaign from DoorDash is an amazing benefit for those who need it the most.”

Freshop builds e-commerce platforms for more than 2,000 of the nation’s leading grocers and specialty retailers, including Foodtown, Fisher’s Foods, Brookhaven and Hays. Currently, it is adding more than 300 stores a week in support of COVID-19 efforts.