Fresh Direct in JH and idling

[pipman]

Lately I noticed a lot more Fresh Direct trucks delivering in Jackson Heights. Not sure why...maybe as the hood continues to change, or Fresh Direct has been more aggressive promoting to the neighborhood.  Always thought of trying, but I like to go to the market and choose my food. 

Also, been annoyed by their business model...blocking streets and especially idling their trucks with their noisy refrigeration motors.  This morning a truck sat outside my window for 15 minutes at 8 am.  The NYC law is not to idle for more than 3 minutes. 

I get dinners delivered at times, but are people that lazy that they can't go to the supermarket themselves?

[C11106]

Maybe the refrigeration in the trucks only stays on if the truck is running?  I can certainly understand why they're not driving around the block 10 times and nearest available legal parking spot is likely very far away.

I used to get FreshDirect when I lived in Astoria.  I didn't have a car at the time, and my landlord told me not to drink the water from the tap.  Gallons of water were too heavy to carry home (more than 1 at a time), so I would have several delivered, along with my groceries from the week.  Groceries are heavy, and especially in JH, the supermarkets are far from most of the residential areas.  If someone is older, has children with them, or injured or disabled, it can be difficult to carry what they need home without making several trips over the course of a week.

FreshDirect has been sending me promotions lately... 15% off my entire purchase to come back, and the emails come once or twice a week.  I consider it, but I hate that you have to pick a "window" of time for delivery and then wait around for them.  If I didn't have a car, I certainly would, though.

[FoxyWiles]

If you can't carry groceries for whatever reason, there are granny carts and free delivery from The Met

When I lived in JH, I would get Fresh Direct because the selection was better. I was able to get grass fed beef, antibiotic free lamb and pork and organic fruit / vegetables. It's usually cheaper (like the hormone free milk), but some of their stuff is more expensive than The Met or Trade Fair (like Goya beans or lemons). They also have a local foods section and a decent seafood selection. Plus I felt grocery shopping in JH was more of a hassle than in other neighborhoods (tight aisles, slow lines, superflous baggers that double bag everything). FD's customer service is amazing. If you have any problems, you email them and they credit your account no questions asked. So it's not that I'm lazy, I'm just a food snob who wants better quality groceries.

C11106, have you ever thought about Brita or Pur?

[Mary Poppins]

If you can't carry groceries for whatever reason, there are granny carts and free delivery from The Met

When I lived in JH, I would get Fresh Direct because the selection was better. I was able to get grass fed beef, antibiotic free lamb and pork and organic fruit / vegetables. It's usually cheaper (like the hormone free milk), but some of their stuff is more expensive than The Met or Trade Fair (like Goya beans or lemons). They also have a local foods section and a decent seafood selection. Plus I felt grocery shopping in JH was more of a hassle than in other neighborhoods (tight aisles, slow lines, superflous baggers that double bag everything). FD's customer service is amazing. If you have any problems, you email them and they credit your account no questions asked. So it's not that I'm lazy, I'm just a food snob who wants better quality groceries.

Yeah, that ^^^        FD has great meat selections

I've yet to see someone within 10 years of my age with one but I do so love my granny cart  LOL I hate grocery shopping without it

[FoxyWiles]

Yeah, that ^^^        FD has great meat selections

I've yet to see someone within 10 years of my age with one but I do so love my granny cart  LOL I hate grocery shopping without it

Srsly! I bought one when I moved to JH and I'm kicking myself for not have gotten one sooner! Especially for laundry!

[Beech Court]

If you get a cart with a liner and can make space in a closet for it, set up and opened, then you have an out of sight clothes hamper. Just pull it out, sort the clothes and you're set to go.
Been doing it for years.

[dssjh]

that's a great idea beech!

i cannot imagine life without the granny cart

that said, i've used fresh direct now and again, when their emails get too tempting. not for meat or produce, which i cannot imagine buying sight unseen, but for local goods, and occasionally those 'four minute meals.'

idling annoys me to no end, since i have a first floor, avenue facing apartment. but fresh direct doesn't seem to do it as much as some businesses (or buses on layovers).

[Lilybell]

Very interesting to read about the idling FD trucks.  NY 1 just did a piece on this a few days ago - it was the segment where they will help a New Yorker that is having a problem getting an issue solved (I think most news shows have similar segments). 

A person was losing her mind because a FD truck was idling outside her building all day, every day.  She works from home and she was having trouble hearing clients on the phone because it was so loud.  They had a video and it was ridiculously loud - I am pretty noise-tolerant and this was really bad.  She and her neighbors complained several times to FD and they didn't do anything - they just told her they weren't breaking any rules.  NY 1 sent DEP to do a noise meter test and the decibels were way over the limit.  FD removed the truck later that day after the news called them. They are probably just one block over now hoping their new "neighbors" don't complain.  I was disappointed in FD - they didn't do anything about the complaints until the news hounded them about it. 

This was in Manhattan somewhere - and I assume they just want to keep the truck idling for refrigeration reasons - they probably have the food for multiple delivery windows in the truck and just want to keep it in the neighborhood for ease of delivery.  Too bad, that's not our problem. 

I wonder how they are doing financially.  I've noticed they've really stepped up their advertising lately and I'm also getting mulptiple "come back" emails (daily). 

[ECG]

Fresh Direct truck and Mr. Softee truck. Same problem?

[francis]

Except Fresh Direct doesn't have that obnoxious whining jingle playing over and over again... even after ten at night!

[FoxyWiles]

I like when the ice cream truck outside the post office plays Xmas tunes in the Summer.

[ECG]

I liked that too, but it was Faux Frostee, not the real Mr. F. An even more grating electronic sound.

For a very amusing and totally obscure movie on the topic of ice cream vendors, try to find Comfort & Joy by Bill Forsyth.

Hmmm. A bit off topic, sorry.

[FoxyWiles]

Here's a solution:

Idling Fresh Direct trucks should have an open window like ice cream trucks do. But instead of sugar treats, they sell granola and yogurt and trail mix and salads.

I would probably be their only customer, though.

[pipman]

Old topic, but Fresh Direct seems to be doing a robust business in Jackson Heights and have seen Peapod as well.  I still have not tried the delivery service, although have been tempted since quality meats and fish are difficult to find in Jackson Heights outside of the Greenmarket/Farmer's market.  Only if they could invest in quieter trucks, the noise from the refrigerated trucks as they idle in front of building is extremely annoying.

[deja]

I like fresh direct, been ordering from them for years.  The quality of the meat and produce has generally been better than most places in the nabe and the ratings have been spot on.  Not having to drag the groceries up four flights of stairs is priceless.  That said, the trucks should not be idling in place for longer than it takes to make their deliveries.  All day is not okay.