On a budget but looking for local, organic, farm fresh food without having to drive to the grocery store? Farmigo is a great option that comes straight to campus. Knowing I wanted to cook at my place for a change instead of eating at Oliver Hall, I decided to try what fifteen other students have been doing – I ordered my groceries for delivery.
Here’s how I did it from start to finish:
- I went to the Farmigo website.
- Typed in my zipcode (94556 for campus)
- Selected St. Mary’s College as my community for delivery
- I was asked “How are you connected to the college?” and typed “Student” then clicked, “shop!”
- I was welcomed to the community with this message: “So glad you decided to join our Farmigo community! If you have any questions, feel free to email”
- So I clicked “Start Shopping!”
- Now here is where the fun started. I immediately noticed the categories atop the page and the next pickup date and time. It even showed how many days left to order for that pickup date #convenient
Photo by Grace Hunt
After browsing, I decided to order some fresh carrots and broccoli, because they’re easy to add to a dish, steam in the microwave, or even eat raw. I added to my cart some protein: jalapeño and cilantro hummus, an 8-ounce package of beef jerky – a quick protein snack – and firm tofu. To top off my order, I bought some refreshing lavender ginger mint tea to sip on during those breaks between papers. I spent a total of $36.00 at which point I created an account and decided to download the app onto my iPhone. Then I patiently waited for my order to arrive three days later.
Fast forward to pickup day
#SpoonTip: Grocery pickup is located at Dryden Hall.
Since Community Time happens that same time on Wednesdays, you (probably) won’t have to worry about being in class when your groceries are being delivered.
Photo by Grace Hunt
When I met our Saint Mary’s Farmigo Coordinator, Brandon, in person, he was organizing all the orders for pickup. I also met Zoe, a fellow Polynesian Club member, and other students that are part of the Sustainability Club. They shared with me that as a result of the club, they were able to launch a pickup sight in April 2015 here on campus and a portion of the proceeds for all orders then go to their club’s efforts to educate students about ways to recycle and reuse.
Photo by Grace Hunt
What was clutch is that 60% of the payment from Farmigo groceries goes directly to the local farmers, according to Brandon, unlike the typical 20% at local grocery stores. He also said that right now, they are averaging about 15 orders/week and hope to get another five more to reach their threshold for getting another portion of the sales for their club.
Photo by Grace Hunt
So, after bringing my goods back to my place, I ate the crunchy, sweet carrots and broccoli within the first three days. They were fresh and flavor-filled. The tea did not disappoint, but the beef jerky was expensive at $6.99 for 1.5 ounces, although it is local from San Mateo, grass-fed without hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives. So I suppose you get what you pay for. The jalapeño and cilantro hummus was good but it was not as spicy as I had hoped it to be. I have yet to try the tofu, but I think I’ll save it for my next order of fresh vegetables so I can make an Asian stir-fry dish with it.
Now that I’m familiar with the fresh fare through Farmigo, I’m ready for my next order and hope you’ll join me. #morethanjustanorder #multipliedeffects #easygroceries