Fresh food delivery options becoming increasingly popular among urban residents

As more residents repopulate Cincinnati's urban core, the demand for fresh food grows. However, fresh food options can often be hard to come by as many urban neighborhoods have no grocery store or are severely under-served.

Residents of Cincinnati's greater downtown area have the benefit of being located within a relatively short distance of Findlay Market which is open year-round.  However, some patrons note that the hours are not convenient, nor the product offerings diverse enough for Findlay Market to fully replace the need for a full service grocery.  As a result, many residents are looking to a new business model that delivers fresh food options directly to the customer's home.

"They [food delivery options] provide a convenience factor that I can't get yet from places like Findlay by delivering a variety of groceries to my door," said Kate Cook.  "They offer a bit more selection produce-wise, especially during the winter months.  But one of the biggest pluses is the variety of groceries they carry.  I can get yogurt, milk, cheeses, eggs, breads, and more from Farm Fresh Delivery in one quick order."

Cook went on to say that merchants like Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market are doing a good job at leveling the playing field by offering delivery and call-ahead ordering options, but that many merchants are not doing the same thing.  Additionally, Cook states that the unpredictability of certain products like eggs or milk, while part of a farmers market's charm, also make it slightly less convenient on those busy weeks where one might not have the time to put towards a search. The convenience of going to a large chain, or a new delivery service, are what now seem to be troubling local farmers markets as urban dwellers are increasingly looking for quick and easy access to healthy food.

At the same time, local farmers have the potential to benefit from both services if they appropriately diversify their sales.  Carriage House Farm, which sells to local farmers markets, restaurants and Farm Fresh Delivery is one example.  And as long as food delivery services are transparent about where they are getting their products, shoppers like Cook are satisfied.

"I personally would love it if Findlay could serve all of my shopping needs, but the bottom line is that I like to use Farm Fresh and Findlay together for my grocery needs," Cook said.  "I don't see Farm Fresh as taking away from farmers markets.  I see it as taking away from big grocery retailers."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
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