With the need to stay at home as much as possible, feeding the family, or even just yourself, has become a greater challenge. Supermarkets have been overwhelmed and Coles and Woolworths have had to temporarily cease online deliveries.

The good news is that many food providers and producers – including restaurants, cafes, bakeries and butchers – have introduced new home delivery services to satisfy their customers’ needs while staying in business. Needless to say, it’s a great time to support these smaller businesses and producers so that they’re with us for the long haul.

Vic's Meats

Vic’s Meats is renowned amongst chefs and supplies the majority of Australia’s top restaurants. Vic’s Meats’ Sydney clients include Bennelong, Quay, Merivale’s restaurants, and Mat Moran’s eateries; not to mention, Qantas. When the COVID-19 shut-down hit restaurants it also hit Vic’s – hard, leaving it with a glut of top-quality meat. The meat supplier has rapidly and effectively switched to contactless home deliveries, meaning home cooks now have access to some restaurant-quality meat right when they’re cooking much more at home. You can splash out on premium wagyu beef from our best farmers, as well as affordable quality poultry, sausages, pork, lamb and cured meats. Delivery is free throughout April for orders over $125 (otherwise the delivery fee Sydney-wise is $15).

Fratelli Fresh

Fratelli Fresh is making lemonade with its new home grocery delivery services. Treat yourself to some comfort food goodies, including chocolate, pasta and sauces, DIY meal kits, and homemade meals including large lasagnes and soups. There’s a generous alcohol range encompassing wine, spirits, craft beer, cider and even cocktail making kits. You can also buy fresh fruit and veg boxes and an ‘essentials’ range includes Sonoma bread, peanut butter and Vegemite and, yes, even loo roll. Consider donating a meal to a healthcare worker who is fighting at the frontlines of our COVID-19 battle. Minimum order is $50 and there’s a $10 delivery fee.

Sonoma Bakery

If you live within 4km of selected Sonoma Bakery outlets across Sydney you’re in luck, as you can have its beautiful range of renowned sourdough breads delivered fresh to your door (for orders over $20). Other goodies available include Sonoma Granola, Pepe Sayer butter, free-range eggs, milk, top-quality baker’s flour (if you, like so many, are staying busy baking at home), and coffee beans. The range of lovely pastries, tarts, cookies, croissants, and cakes helps you replicate the café experience at home.

Brickfields Bakery

If you haven’t experienced the sensational baked goods of Brickfields Bakery now is as good a time as any to get acquainted. Order online for a contactless delivery. Besides their delicious range of breads, cakes, pastries and freshly made sandwiches, Brickfields’ staples include specialty baker’s flours, eggs, sugar, soy and macadamia milks and even avocado – so Sydney!

The Grounds

If you don’t like to cook or are just sick of the constant meal making, let The Grounds do the work for you. Their large range of home delivery meals includes great family-friendly options as well as portions suitable for singles and couples. Choose from options such as Braised Lamb Shoulder, Fish and Potato Pie or Sri Lankan Fish Curry. The menu includes mains, sides and desserts, with vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

SaltPepperNutmeg

One of our personal favourites, Roseville restaurant SaltPepperNutmeg are now offering not only takeaway but also free delivery of their comforting European-style meals, with specials such as Beef Cheeks and Homemade Gnocchi or Lamb Shank Tagine.

Hillview Farms

Hillview Farms offers fresh fruit and veg and a select range of groceries, such as fresh eggs, milk and Brickfields Bakery products, delivered across Sydney. Their pre-selected produce boxes are great value for the quantity and quality. What they don’t grow themselves they source from other family growers – all with a strong focus on sustainable farming, which means no synthetic chemicals or artificial gas ripening. Support Australian famers directly by putting more money in their pocket. We also love that Hillview Farms lets you donate 10% of your order’s cost to a charity or other non-profit organisation of your choice from a list of around a dozen very worthwhile organisations.

Jimmy Brings

Long day at the home office while home schooling? If you’re dying for a vino but have run out of supplies, Jimmy Brings promises to deliver an icy cold bottle to your door in under 30-minute from its range of craft beer, cider, wine, spirits and mixers. This isn’t a new service but it’s one we suspect might be coming into its own right now.

Delivery meals

More people are turning to delivery services that offer DIY meal kits or home-cooked meals ready to heat and eat. Hello Fresh, Marley Spoon and Pepper Leaf are among those that take the pain out of meal planning by delivering kits including everything you need to make complete meals from simple recipes. Or, let someone else do all the work with home-cooked meals from The Dinner Ladies or Gourmet Dinner Service. Vouchers for such services make excellent gifts for friends or loved ones who are quarantining at home or need extra support at this time.

If you could use some financial advice during these challenging times we are always here to help. Call us anytime on (02) 8268 2900 for an obligation-free talk.