By Beth Peralta
Delivery services have come a long way from the traditional pizza and sandwiches, and there are lots of options now for even more items you can get delivered for your own convenience. Some of these are subscription services; others are on demand. Check out some of the options in C-U below.
Groceries:
Schnucks’ Express Connection delivers to multiple zip codes in our area, according to their website. If you live outside of their delivery area, you can select a pick-up. Items that are featured in the store’s weekly ad are also available at the same price online. They do recommend leaving an hour or more for the first shopping experience, and you can save “favorites” to help streamline future virtual visits. To use this service, shop on the Schnucks Express Connection webpage to get started.
Many of us are familiar with the cream-colored frozen food delivery truck traveling throughout our neighborhoods. Schwan’s has over 350 frozen foods available for ordering over the phone, online, with a sales representative, or using a mobile application for your smart phone. Additional features include freezer bags to keep items cold and a rewards program.
Milk, ice cream, breakfast foods, and other items are available using weekly standing order deliveries using Oberweis Dairy’s Home Delivery. Standing orders should be updated for that week before 10 p.m. the day prior to your delivery date. An insulated dairy box is provided for a one-time fee at your first order to protect products from sunlight and temperature problems.
Prescriptions:
My first job was at a family-owned pharmacy in the Chicago suburbs that provided home delivery service, which was utilized by many in our community that had difficulty traveling to the pharmacy to routinely pick-up their prescriptions. I did not think I would come across a similar service after that experience, but I was wrong! CompleteCare Pharmacy in downtown Champaign provides a free prescription delivery service to homes or offices in Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy city limits. For more information, they can be reached at 217-355-6607.
Country Market’s Health Mart started offering free delivery for prescriptions in 2014. This service is offered by the Pharmacy at the store at Kirby/Duncan. Call 217-351-3108.
Restaurant Services:
There are several different options for C-U residents in online ordering from multiple restaurants using one service. Typically these are restaurants that may not usually provide delivery service.
Mr. Delivery delivers to a variety of Champaign-Urbana area restaurants, such as Orange Leaf (FROYO anyone?), Oishi, and Minneci’s Ristorante. And McDonald’s! When you arrive to the website, you see the expected delivery time before you even get started, which is usually 45-60 minutes for orders less than $75.
CiEats serves other Central Illinois communities in addition to Champaign-Urbana. In our area, 16 restaurants are included, such as Old Orchard Lanes & Links, El Toro Mexican Restaurant, and My Thai. The minimum food order for delivery varies by restaurant.
GrubHub has come to Champaign-Urbana, and as of this writing services restaurants including Manolo’s, Rainbow Garden, and Weinerschnitzel. Note that some restaurants only offer online ordering for pickup, not delivery.
Prepared Food Delivery:
Get a subscription to the Organic Food Nanny, which delivers two fresh homemade meals weekly to your doorstep. Great idea for a gift for new parents, especially from out of towners.
Have you used any of these services in the past? Let us know what you think, or if there are any unique delivery services we have missed, in the comments section below.
Beth Peralta has lived in Champaign-Urbana since 1998, minus a few summers and 9 months in grad school. She is a mother of two, wife to Andrew, a registered dietitian, and an active community volunteer with the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana.