19 Amazing Places to Shop When Your Supermarket Is Low in Stock

You never know what you're going to find at the grocery store these days. It can be frustrating to plan your meals for the week just to find half the ingredients you wanted to use are sold out. Plus, going to the grocery store multiple times a week in hopes of finding what you need puts you, other shoppers and grocery store employees at higher risk for getting coronavirus.

Here are 19 ways to actually get the groceries you need for the week without having to brave the supermarket:

Local Shops

Think outside the box when it comes to sourcing your groceries. Reach out to your favorite local bakery, wine shop, ethnic grocery or restaurant and see what their options are. Some restaurants are offering groceries and meal kits for pickup or delivery to help make ends meet right now. We always encourage shopping local when possible, and especially now!

Online-Only Grocers

These stores are going to be your best bet if you need kitchen staples and a wide variety of items. Whether you're vegan, paleo or are just looking for something to make for dinner this week, these online grocers are great options.

Boxed

Boxed is essentially an online-only Costco. This wholesale retailer delivers all your household needs in bulk within two business days. The best part? No membership fees!

Freshdirect

Freshdirect is a great option for stocking up on household items if you live in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, the greater New York City and Philadelphia areas or Washington, D.C. Freshdirect uses a short supply chain to bring you fresh, local food and booze (even liquor!). Try its DeliveryPass to get unlimited free deliveries with time slot reservations, among other perks.

Thrive Market

Those with special diets will especially enjoy Thrive Market's selection of healthy snacks, staples and skincare. You can shop by diet and lifestyle or browse the site's recommendations to find great deals on everything from baking essentials to grass-fed beef. You can even stock up on natural pet food. Don't miss out on Thrive Market's wine selection either.

Join today starting at $5 per month with free shipping on all orders over $25. Teachers, students, veterans and low-income families can apply for a free Thrive Gives membership with special discounts.

Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh is perfect for those who already have Amazon Prime, as it is an included perk of being a member. Similar to Whole Foods delivery, Amazon Fresh delivers groceries to your doorstep within a two-hour window at no extra cost. However, it's only offered in select cities, so be sure to check to see if it's available in your area.

Hungryroot

Ordering your groceries from Hungryroot is a delicious and easy way to eat more plant-based.

You can order basic ingredients, like Brussels sprouts, or delicious ready-made meals and snacks. You can shop yourself or get help from an assistant and get easy 10-minute recipes to ensure you use up everything for the week—no matter your schedule. Just sign up for a free account to get started.

Meal Kits

Meal kits are perfect for those who are new to cooking or if you're trying to spend more time in the kitchen with your kids. They give you all the satisfaction of cooking a delicious meal without having to pay for ingredients you may only use once or twice.

GreenChef

GreenChef is a meal kit subscription service that ships everything you need to make sustainably sourced, chef-crafted dinners in 30 minutes or less. Choose from four different plans depending on your diet and household size and a flexible subscription plan that delivers every week, two weeks or month. Check out the menu to get started.

HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a personalized meal delivery service that allows you to choose 2-4 dinners per week, depending on your needs. (If you live in a household of one or three, you'll have leftovers for the next day). The menus are easily customizable for whatever you're craving and your subscription is flexible. All of the 19 weekly recipes are ready in 30 minutes or less.

Home Chef

Similar to the previous two, Home Chef offers customizable meals with a flexible subscription schedule. The main difference is that you can select meals based on your skill level, with five-minute salads or hour-long masterpieces for whatever you need that week.

Purple Carrot

Purple Carrot is a vegan meal delivery service that functions like the aforementioned meal kits. You can get plant-based breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners on your schedule, with options for high-protein, gluten-free, quick and easy and chef's choice recipes. Meatless Monday has never been easier.

Prepared Meals

Meal kits are great if you're sick of cooking and realize you really don't have the time to. It can also be a good way to cut back on food waste.

Daily Harvest

If you're looking for plant-based meals but don't feel like cooking, Daily Harvest is your best bet. The company offers tasty smoothies, soups, grain bowls, bites and more—all of which are made with wholesome ingredients. Choose from 9, 12 or 24 items a week—or 24 items a month—from a wide selection of veggie-forward, one-step dishes. You can skip your delivery, try new foods or switch your box size at any time.

Freshly

Freshly offers healthy, chef-cooked meals that can be heated and ready to eat in three minutes. You can pick from a weekly menu of 30+ dishes to match your dietary preferences or whatever you're craving. Choose from 4, 6, 9 or 12 meals each week—and you can cancel or change your subscription for the week any time before the weekly deadline.

Snap Kitchen

Snap Kitchen functions the same as Freshly, except that you can choose meal plans curated by dietitians based on your health goals. Choose from six or 12 meals per week, plus components like roasted sweet potatoes and grilled chicken to help make meal prep easier. You can also find Snap Kitchen meals at your local Whole Foods.

Produce and Meat Delivery Boxes

CSA boxes

CSA boxes are a great way to support local farmers during this time. It may be too late to join a CSA, but many farmers have set up their own weekly produce boxes for pick up or delivery. It's worth reaching out to your local farmers market—or a favorite farmer—to learn more about your options for sourcing local produce and other goods.

Misfits Market

One of our editors swears by Misfits Market for getting incredible organic produce delivered to her door for an even more incredible price. Some items may be a little unfortunate looking, but that's because Misfits Market sources produce that was going to become food waste. (Don't worry—it's still amazing quality and lasts several days!) Choose from two boxes based on the size of your household.

Omaha Steaks

Whether you just want some high-quality fillets or want all the comforting sides to go with it, Omaha Steaks is a top source for meats, seafood, sides, wines and more. Omaha Steaks is a great place to shop for making dinnertime feel a little more special, whether it's someone's birthday or just another Monday. They even have meal kits, slow-cooker meals and one-step meals to help make getting dinner on the table easy.

Online Specialty Grocers

Checking out online specialty grocers will help ensure you can get those hard-to-find ingredients for your favorite recipes—especially if your local ethnic grocery store is closed.

AsianFoodGrocer

AsianFoodGrocer.com is your one-stop shop for Asian food, beverages, beauty and even housewares. Whether you're looking for an ingredient that your local supermarket doesn't keep in stock or just need more Pocky in your life (if you haven't tried Pocky, there's never been a better time!), AsianFoodGrocer has you covered. The site offers $5 flat rate shipping on orders over $30.

iShopIndian

From authentic spices to clay pots and herbal supplements, iShopIndian has everything you need to make dals, curries, dosa and more. You'll qualify for free shipping once you spend $109.

MexGrocer

MexGrocer has everything you need to bring flavor and vibrance to your kitchen right now. You can source items like tortillas, cheese, spices and more from this amazing site. You can even find special cooking utensils and beautiful earthenware to make your home look a little more cheery.