Last updated April 1
Notes: For those interested in helping local business and local medical workers, Downtown Framingham Inc. has a Meals for Medics Go Fund Me where you can donate to purchase meals from local restaurants - and those meals will be sent to workers at MetroWest Medical Center.
Also: Some Instacart workers went on strike Monday over what they say is a lack of proper protections and hazard pay. While the company says this hasn’t affected their ability to fill deliveries, it’s something you may want to consider before using the service.
Choose Framingham has a list of local restaurants and whether they offer delivery, pickup, and gift cards (for those who want to help restaurants now and use the cards in the future).
Many local and national businesses are modifying their services to help customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s a roundup of grocery, pharmacy, and restaurants in and around District 2. Note that many stores are warning of limited inventories and delivery delays due to higher demand.
Pharmacies
Walgreens says it’s teamed up with Postmate to start offering delivery of items including non-prescription medication. There is a delivery fee and you need to download the mobile app.
For prescriptions, they have a drive-through pharmacy at their Saxonville (School Street) store, as well as the Rte. 9 and Waverly Street locations in Framingham. Or, Walgreens Express offers next-day delivery for some prescriptions.
In addition, Walgreens is offering free shipping with no minimum order for conventional online orders. And, Tuesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. is reserved for shoppers 55 and over.
CVS says they’re offering free delivery of medications “and everyday essentials” when you’re filling a prescription. Without a prescription, you can get orders delivered the same day using the paid Instacart service or free shipping on orders of $35 or more. However, recently the Water Street location said same-day free delivery wasn’t available. Delivery by mail appears to still be an option.
Groceries
Whole Foods has free 2-hour delivery for Amazon Prime members, but delivery slots are very difficult to find – and you need to go through your entire ordering process before checking if delivery is available. They’re also allowing shoppers age 60 and over to shop in the store every day in the hour before new, regular store openings. That’s 7 to 8 a.m. in Framingham and 8 to 9 a.m. in Sudbury.
Roche Brothers Sudbury (a.k.a. Sudbury Farms on Rte 20) is offering curbside pickup service, although slots are extremely tough to find. In theory, you can order online at https://Shopping.RocheBros.com and then drive to the designated pickup area. They were offering one free curbside pickup with the promo code CURBSIDE. Plan ahead, since it may be several days before a time slot is available if at all. Stores are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; seniors / those with disabilities can shop daily from 7 to 8 before regular opening.
Stop & Shop continues to offer its Peapod next-day delivery service. Minimum order is $30 and delivery fees range from $2.95 to $9.95. Curbside pickup has been suspended. Shoppers age 60+ and those with compromised immune systems can shop in store every day during special hours 6 to 7:30 a.m.
Wegmans offers curbside pickup or home delivery. Prices are higher for items ordered online for curbside pickup than they are for in-store shopping, although there’s no extra curbside pickup fee (and they say not to tip). Time slots are limited for both curbside pickup and delivery, so plan ahead. Delivery is via the pay-extra Instacart service.
Shaws on Rte. 20 in Sudbury has set aside Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. as “Golden Hours,” which they describe as reserved for “senior citizens and other at-risk members of our community such as pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.” They’re also advertising grocery delivery and pickup via Instacart.
Retailers with Grocery Sections
Target offers same-day delivery that appears to include some perishable items, but it warns that many orders may be unavailable or delayed. I didn’t see price information without actually ordering. First hour each Wednesday is reserved for shoppers 65+, pregnant women, and those with health conditions making them at higher risk. You can choose curbside pickup from the Target app. Framingham store confirmed last week via phone that curbside is available there.
Walmart has suspended next-day delivery (although the Web site says it’s coming back soon). Conventional online orders are still available for shipping. Neither appears to include perishables. People 60+ can shop Tuesday mornings during the hour before regular store openings, which appears to be 6 to 7 a.m. Regular hours are now 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
BJs BJs in Framingham has same-day delivery including groceries - including some perishables - as well as free same-day pickup, although pickup has to be done in the store at the Membership Services Desk. They are offering one free grocery delivery of $35 or more through April 15 with the code BJS20SPRING through Instacart. BJs membership required.
Restaurants
In addition to the Choose Framingham list of local restaurants and whether they offer delivery, pickup, and gift cards, USA Today has a list with some Framingham restaurants that offer gift cards.
Downtown Framingham Inc. is maintaining a list of downtown restaurants takeout and delivery, some of which deliver in District 2. Doordash is offering free first delivery for some local restaurants including Bertuccis, Da Vinci Bistro in Sudbury, and Uno; while GrubHub delivers from a large number of local restaurants.
Among the latest updates: Saxonville Cafe & Roastery remains open for takeout. They have an app available, and they say delivery is coming soon via DoorDash and Uber Eats. Zheng Garden says they’re closed starting March 30 for 2 weeks.
See other coronavirus-related resources at Senate President Karen Spilka’s website.
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