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Company goes for Go-ceries

Some people enjoy grocery shopping — but many don’t.
Web-goceries
Jonathan Strome of Go-ceries in Red Deer collects an order for a customer at the south side Sobeys food store on Thursday.

Some people enjoy grocery shopping — but many don’t.

Or, they find it difficult or even impossible to stock up on food and other provisions on a regular basis.

Therein lies a business opportunity, believe Jonathan Strome and Bryce Kander. They recently started Go-ceries, a service that buys and delivers groceries for customers.

Strome, who is 20, said he and Kander, 21, struck upon the idea while contemplating potential businesses.

“I know with my family, one of the least-favourite tasks of the week was grocery shopping,” said Strome.

Since no similar service existed in Red Deer, the two men — both of whom grew up here — decided the idea had potential.

They set to work on logistics and other details.

“We brainstormed the idea and what it would look like, and over the last 4 1/2 months developed the idea and launched.”

Go-ceries has a website at www.go-ceries.ca, where customers can request deliveries and learn more about the service. ]Orders can also be placed by phone at 1-800-608-5373.

“You can be as detailed as you want, with the brands, the type of products, the ripeness of the fruit,” said Strome, adding that groceries are delivered right to customers’ kitchens.

Go-ceries’ fees start at $20 for orders up to $149, increasing to $30 for groceries valued up to $249, and $40 for orders up to $375. A dollar from every order is donated to the Red Deer Food Bank.

Among the prospective users of Go-ceries are people with disabilities, those lacking access to affordable transportation, and individuals or families with busy lifestyles, said Strome.

Seniors represent another promising demographic, since difficulty buying groceries is a big reason many relocate to care facilities, he added.

“They could be living on their own, providing for themselves and making their own meals but they don’t, and they go to a home just because they can’t get to a grocery store.”

Strome and Kander are now busily spreading the word about Go-ceries, with flyers, door-hangers, a Facebook page, Google ads and membership in the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. They only commenced operations on Tuesday but are already contemplating franchising their grocery-shopping concept.

“We’ve actually been in contact with people who are interested in buying franchises,” said Strome.

hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com