Press Release | September 27, 2020
After starting as a test in April, the Delridge Grocery Co-op is proud to announce that its DGC Essentials produce box program is here to stay. Prices will remain the same — $20 for pickup and $25 for delivery — and we’ll continue to add new features such as our recent subscription options and a new weekly add-on product option starting on October 3.
The DGC Essentials Box program has been a great example of our grocery’s co-operative mission, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped move it forward — the customers who order boxes every week, everyone who has provided donations so we can help neighbors in need with healthy food, the producers and farms we work with to source the best produce each week, and our Kale Army of dedicated volunteers who pack and deliver the boxes.
The Concept: Weekly Fresh Produce for All
Started as a way to get fresh, healthy produce to customers in the midst of our spring COVID lockdown, the DGC Essentials Box (DGCEB) has been providing a weekly “surprise” box of at least 9 fruits and vegetables to over 380 customers since the end of May. We’ve also provided over 70 donated boxes to households in need (thanks to the kind donations of our customers), and we accept vouchers from the Seattle Fresh Bucks program.
Each week’s contents are a little different, but boxes mix “Essentials” like apples, carrots, bananas, and potatoes with surprises like fennel, leeks, pluots, and Romano beans. We focus on organic produce from area produce distributors, and we’ve been sourcing more and more items from local area farms like Wright Brothers and Pink Moon farms.
Customers pick up their boxes on Saturday mornings at the DGC storefront, located in DESC’s Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW), and we also offer a limited delivery service to our West Seattle “island.”
DGC member-owner Ann Ott has long awaited the opening of our grocery co-op in the Delridge neighborhood, where access to healthy food has long been an issue. “We couldn’t be happier with the results,” says Ott. “The produce is excellent, mostly organic, often local, and the value is tremendous – ten pounds of really good produce for $20? Outstanding!”
Longtime DGC member-owner Elizabeth Heath has been getting a box nearly every week. “Each Saturday I eagerly await the delivery of my Essentials box from the Delridge Grocery. Why?” she asks. “Because the produce is fresh and includes items new to me that send me scurrying for ways to prepare them.”
Danny Meulbroek (DGC member-owner #7) has been a regular customer since we started.” I have had other produce boxes delivered and nothing can compare,” he says. “The Delridge box is far superior. I grade this on (the) quality and quantity of the products in the box.”
Moving Forward
As we move out of our testing phase, we will not be raising the price of DGC Essentials Boxes — they’ll stay at $20 for pickup and $25 for delivery!
We recently added subscriptions for both pickup and delivery orders, making it easy to get our produce box every week after ordering just once. We also plan on offering weekly donation subscriptions to help keep our gifted box program going.
For our October 3 box, we are introducing weekly add-on products that you can choose to purchase along with your produce box. Our first add-on will be Mama’s Everything Sauce from Kent-based Naija Buka.
Developed by owner Lilian Ryland, this versatile stew and simmer sauce brings authentic Nigerian flavors to meat, eggs, vegetables, beans, and more. We’ll be offering a 12-ounce jar of Mama’s Everything Sauce for $8.99 along with DGC Essentials Box orders.
Every week we’ll offer a different add-on, so check back to see what’s on offer.
Next Steps
It’s never easy to start a new grocery store, but our challenging COVID and economic landscape isn’t helping. Construction at the Delridge Grocery Co-op storefront is 98% finished, but we’re not open for full grocery shopping yet. The DGCEB program is what we can handle financially at this time, and it currently covers our expenses — but not much beyond that.
To be able to open the Delridge Grocery Co-op storefront, we need additional funding for more refrigeration units, inventory, a part-time general manager, and more. We’re in the process of applying for grants, researching other funding avenues, and looking at fundraising opportunities in the coming months.
Here’s how you can help:
- Purchase a DGC Essentials Box for yourself or others. Our weekly produce box is our focus for the near future, and it’s a great way to keep you and your family full of healthy vittles. You can also purchase a box for friends and neighbors to introduce them to the DGC, and we’re always looking for donated boxes to distribute to families and households in need. Visit delridgegrocery.coop/dgc-essentials-box to start shopping.
- Become a Delridge Grocery Co-op owner. A full household ownership share costs $100, but you can pay in installments starting at $5. Ownership gives you a voice in making Co-op decisions and you’re investing in your West Seattle community. And don’t forget to encourage others to join you! Visit delridgegrocery.coop for more information.
- Volunteer with the DGC. Come help us pack produce boxes on Saturday mornings — it’s a great way to be a part of our store (and there is the promise of donuts!). We’ll also be needing more volunteer help as we ramp up to the opening, and can always use help with fundraising, database work, outreach, board membership, and more. Visit delridgegrocery.coop for more information, or send an email to delridgegroceryvolunteer@gmail.com.
- Donations of Equipment. We were recently given some refrigeration units from the fine folks at Cafe Osita on 35th, who wanted to ensure some older equipment they were getting rid of found a good home. If you have commercial equipment that you’d like to donate, please contact us at info@delridgegrocery.coop.
About the Delridge Grocery Co-op
Delridge Grocery Co-op’s mission is to grow community by providing whole foods at affordable prices to the residents of the Delridge area in West Seattle. While the DGC’s storefront is not fully open yet, we are providing a weekly produce box for pickup and delivery on Saturdays while we continue to source additional funding. Our community-minded, volunteer-driven co-operative relies on our member-owners, who help provide investment in our store and receive a voice in making Co-op decisions. A full household ownership share costs $100, but you can pay in installments starting at $5. Visit https://delridgegrocery.coop/ for more information, or contact info@delridgegrocery.coop.