A Guide to Helping Small, Independent Food Stores

Want groceries delivered or ready-to-go for convenient pickup? Across Vancouver, independent convenience stores and grocers are making the most out of social distancing to stay afloat. Here’s where you can help.

There’s nothing convenient about a pandemic or quarantine. It disrupts lives; it’s hard on personal relationships and the community. It’s precisely why during this particularly difficult situation we are all dealing with that we need to help each other in small and big ways—in whatever ways we can. As individuals, we can all do our part to help small, independent businesses survive by shopping with them. Here’s a list of places that are offering provisions, specialty food and assembled grocery bags.

SPECIALTY DELIVERY

GRANVILLE ISLAND FOODIE DELIVERY : Michelle Ng has turned her Vancouver Foodie Tours company into a Foodie Pack delivery service in partnership with the vendors she features in her Granville Island Market tour. She offers a Starter Pack ($49), Sharing Pack for two ($99) and a Family pack ($249). Shoppers can also build their own packs. Offerings include Oyama Truffle Salami, Benton Brothers 5 Year Old Cheddar from Village Cheese Co., A Bread Affair Skinny Dipper Focaccia, Fraser Valley Gourmet Almond Butter Crunch Milk chocolate and Granville Island Tea Company teas. DETAILS

LEGENDS HAUL : This store offers pre-cooked meals you can heat and eat as well as store in your freezer dishes from local favourite restaurants, including Chambar (Moroccan meatballs), Kissa Tanto (chicken cacciatore), Cafe Medina. Produce, beer, wine and smoothie ingredients are also available. Orders placed before noon will receive next day delivery Monday to Saturday.  DETAILS

ORGANIC OCEAN : Home delivery seafood packages at wholesale pricing. Bonus: simple tips on how to cook seafood at home via videos from Chef Robert Clark, Chef Pino, Chef Belcham, Chef Barnaby, Chef Ned Bell. DETAILS

SEAFOOD CITY : Fresh local seafood delivery. DETAILS

CONTACTLESS PICK-UP

CAFE MEDINA :  Mediterranean inspired homemade sauces, dips and syrups, along with brunch staples – like free-range eggs, bacon, sausages, coffee and granola – and Cafe Medina’s legendary Liège Style Waffles with Dark Chocolate are now all available for next day delivery or curb-side pick-up. DETAILS

CAFFE LA TANA :  Meats, sauces, wine, Italian provisions to make a great meal at home. DETAILS

FEDERAL STORE : Baked goods and pantry essentials like flour and oat milk (it’s essential for us!). Also must-haves including fresh produce, frozen organic fruits, kitchen and bath products. DETAILS

FISH COUNTER :  Fresh, local seafood and provisions like canned tuna, Panko, lemons (for that fish & chips) and more. DETAILS

FLOURIST :  Fresh flour, dry goods, bread, sourdough starter, prepared foods and rotating fresh items. Pre-order online for next day free delivery within Vancouver or contactless pick-up onsite. DETAILS

HARVEST : Pre-order by Tuesday 3pm a weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box of fresh local produce as well as frozen broths, dumplings, and organic pantry staples. Your grocery bag is ready for pick up on Friday. DETAILS

LES AMIS DU FROMAGE :  Prepared frozen meals frozen, pantry provisions, seafood, frozen and cured meats, fresh eggs and cheese. DETAILS

TWO RIVERS SPECIALTY MEATS : Grab & Go prepared meals to heat and serve at home. DETAILS

UBUNTU CANTEEN :  Take-out meals, wine and pantry provisions, plus baking supplies, a butcher shop selection. “Care Packages” include everything you need to feed yourself nourishing food through the week—think grass-fed milk and butter, sourdough bread, organic vegetables, hand-rolled pasta, pasture raised eggs, buratta, olives and more. Delivery within 5km radius. Order Care Package by Monday at 3pm for Wednesday pick up. DETAILS

PLANT-BASED

ACORN MARKET :  Vegetarian + Vegan. Your one-stop for organic farm-direct ingredients and prepared plant-based meals. Pre-order meals, produce, eggs, cheese, sauces and B.C. wine and beer for contact-less pick up or delivery. DETAILS

TO DIE FOR :  Plant-based baked goods from Erin Ireland via It’s To Die For Fine Food. Home delivery available.  DETAILS