FreshDirect, a leading online retailer of fresh foods and grocery items, officially launched in Philadelphia on Oct. 1.
Serving the New York Metro area for the past decade, FreshDirect’s 10th birthday marks the expansion of the company’s service footprint into the City of Brotherly Love. According to a company news release, Philadelphians now can enjoy FreshDirect’s signature farm-fresh produce, custom-cut meat, seafood and deli items, bakery-fresh pastries and breads, local foods, all-natural and organic foods, coffee and freshly made meals. FreshDirect’s catering products also are available for parties and events located in the delivery area.
“We’re excited to start delivering FreshDirect’s exceptional quality fresh food and groceries to Philadelphia residents,” said Jason Ackerman, FreshDirect’s co-founder and CEO. “With increased desire for healthy eating combined with busy schedules and demanding social lives, our customers find value in purchasing the highest quality fresh, organic and locally farmed foods online with delivery directly to their homes—on their time. Philadelphia is an ideal city to expand our service due to the cultural pride, movement toward healthier eating and a growing community of young professionals and families living in the city.”
Late last month, FreshDirect’s online store front opened, allowing Philadelphia customers to register online, shop and schedule deliveries beginning Oct. 1.
“FreshDirect brings a unique connection between online grocery shopping and our local farmers in the Greater Philadelphia area,” said Alan Greenberger, deputy mayor for economic development and director of commerce. “The company not only provides convenience of eating fresh, healthy and local foods, but also access for more Philadelphia city residents to purchase and consume local produce. We are honored to welcome FreshDirect to Philadelphia and look forward to being ongoing community partners.”
FreshDirect has initially launched in eight center-city Philadelphia zip codes, with plans to expand throughout the Greater Philadelphia region in 2013. The eight zip codes include the following neighborhoods: Rittenhouse, Logan Square, Washington Square, Old City, Society Hill, Bella Vista, Queen’s Village, Graduate Hospital, Grey’s Ferry, Fairmount, Art Museum, Spring Garden and Northern Liberties.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome FreshDirect to Philadelphia and welcome them as a new partner in the fight against hunger in the Delaware Valley,” said Bill Clark, president and executive director of Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization. “More people than ever before are in need of food assistance and we truly look forward to working with FreshDirect to help us drive hunger from our communities.”
“We are excited to partner with FreshDirect so that residents of Philadelphia—even the most vulnerable—have access to high quality, nutritious food,” said Sister Mary Scullion, executive director and co-founder of Project H.O.M.E.
FreshDirect is a premium online fresh food and grocery retailer with no brick and mortar store. Fresh food is directly sourced from a range of organic, sustainable, grass fed, cage free and fair trade farmers and organizations across the United States, with many located within a 300-mile radius of the company’s service area. Local meats, produce and dairy come straight from the farmers to FreshDirect’s climate-controlled center, the news release says. These items are then packed, loaded into refrigerator/freezer trucks and sent directly to customers’ homes. All fruits and vegetables are issued quality ratings daily, so that shoppers can know what’s good. Similarly, sustainable seafood ratings help customers make informed decisions.
“The winning combination of best-in-market food quality and innovative customer convenience has established a happy and healthy customer base in the New York Metro area during our first ten years in business,” said Ackerman. “Customers will try us for the convenience, but stay with us for our commitment to outstanding service and great quality fresh foods.”
FreshDirect requires a $30 minimum order and a $6.99-$8.99 delivery fee. New customers can purchase for one penny unlimited free deliveries for 60 days with DeliveryPass when they sign up for this service.
