Food retailers and delivery firms are stepping their efforts to get vital food supplies to people self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak.
Morrisons has launched a new next-day delivery scheme for essential items. The chain’s standard online shopping service has been overrun with orders, leading to long delays for deliveries.
However, the new Morrisons Food Boxes service promises to get supplies out to those in need as quickly as possible. Rather than choosing what products they want, people select either a meat-eater or vegetarian box option.
The boxes include a selection of suitable food, plus essential household items. A typical box may include canned foods, pasta, dairy products, bread, and fresh produce.
Each box costs £30 and will come the next day for a fee of £5. Courier firm DPD is handling the deliveries. Elderly or vulnerable customers will be prioritised.
Meanwhile, Deliveroo has teamed up with BP petrol stations and Marks & Spencer to offer food deliveries for people stuck at home.
The firm’s partnership with BP enables customers to order from a selection of 60 products available at 120 M&S franchised convenience stores on forecourts for delivery within 30 minutes via its app.
The company, best known for its takeaway delivery service, is also rolling out an ‘Essentials by Deliveroo’ service to offer key items to people at home, especially the elderly and vulnerable. Products available include cereal, pasta, sweets and biscuits, soft drinks, and tinned goods.
It has already gone live in Cambridge and will be rolled out in Reading, Brighton, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and London over the next two weeks. There will be no delivery fees.
Will Shu, founder and Chief Executive of Deliveroo, said: “At Deliveroo, we want to do everything possible to help people get the food they want and need during this worrying period.
“We hope we can play a role in supporting people who have to isolate to get the food they need, whether that’s household items or restaurant food.”
The moves come after the government last night plunged the UK into a coronavirus lockdown that could last months – ordering the immediate closure of all shops selling non-essential goods.
