This comes thru food+tech.
DC/Va/Richmond area: RelayFoods.com a new online food buying model connecting good local farm food (and distant farm food) to people yet keeping the people to people connections. Food delivery has failed in the suburbs but here is a model which works in the burbs.
My happy observation is that in this model, unlike other online food buying, one can look forward to the interaction of picking up the food. This allows for the opportunity to saying “hi” to the delivery staff, ask questions about the purchase maybe get ideas on cooking it. Relay will be building their brand loyalty as a by-product of their service. This model offers an opportunity to connect with each other. Talk to ppl about their purchases and share excitement about food and why not share preparation methods and eventually trade contact info.
Acquiring food is a social activity (sharing stories, new ideas, friends and more). The Relay system provides an online shopping service that offers fresh awesome local smaller farm foods, a convenient pick up location — no more wondering long endless grocery store isles for the fresh bread.
This is great for those people who don’t have a CSA option in their neighborhood or a large local market.
Relay’s online food local food shopping is a good alternative for the current cold, anonymous grocery behemoth model. In NYC the lines are long, it takes forever, chances to run into someone is small, food is nothing I can’t find at the market on MTWFSS. So many ppl with long office hours saving time is important. Shop while at work during a down moment.
Now add to the online experience to a lovely pick up location where like-minded ppl gather for amazing food that people are excited about!
For the full story and all the business details go to this comprehensive article by Danielle Gould at FOOD + Tech.
