I'd concentrate on specific stores. Costco, Trader Joe's, the dominant grocery in the area. For example, I'd ask for dog food and Peet's coffee if someone is going to Costco.

He should be cooking, no? Just my first thought.

When I cook for my parents I make a big master stock late in the week, a few weeks before a visit, just before a weekend. On a Saturday I braise 18 boneless/skinless chicken thighs, (Costco organic). Start a mixed grain and a pot of beans, blanch a big pot of greens. Mini meatballs and ham. Diced veg. In an afternoon I make around 50 meals for 2. And a dozen for us. We are set for meals for that weekend. All goes in the freezer. Travel in coolers, then cook when I'm visiting. For more freezer meals.

In that one day I make 5-7 different very rich brothy soups. Somewhat stew-like. Just pulled one out of our freezer labeled Moroccan beef soup.

He could be 'that soup guy'.

I punched the numbers once and a meal cost me about one dollar. Freezer meals are safe because they must be re-heated. Everybody loves a nice rich soup right now.

I put the greens, mixed grain, beans, par-cooked noodles in 1/2 pint containers as add-ins. (in broth).

I doubt he could find a chest cooler though.

I order from the webstaurantstore about once a year for various containers.

That could be a delivery service and safe. And profitable.

I'd focus on seniors and pregnant/new mothers who live alone. They most need to stay home, not even go out for pickups, and often have no one who can do for them. I think the idea of stocking up from a distributor is a good idea, but if it's possible, supplementing that with specific things would be a great. People might pay a premium for someone who can bring them that one thing they most want.

Another idea would be to focus on Trader Joe's. There are a few delivery services that include TJ's in some locations, but they're overwhelmed, and TJ's doesn't have their own service.

With anything, they can talk to the store managers and see if they can get special access.

I'd do specific stores. Aldi's, Trader Joe's. If there's a Mom & Pop shop with a decent selection. (Frankly, the latter is the only one I am shopping at nowadays).

I'd also let people wanting milk to specify WHOLE or whatever percentage they prefer, although not the brand. (I'd not pay a penny for 1% dirty water. Don't need milk that badly...) but then you are talking to someone with a two gallon a year habit...

Focus on the elderly and high risk folk although you may not always know which are which. Prescriptions may need a broader swath of places to pick meds up from . Some people are reluctant to switch drug store providers. But this is doubly essential to have these prescriptions for them.

Disinfectant wipes and masks are important. I don't use gloves, they get contaminated just as fast as hands and provide a false sense of security.

Not me doing this, and my friend has a small personal services biz so she’s presumably up on the practicalities.

Wouldnt they would be putting themselves at considerable risk?....aren't we supposed to be minimising ANY contact? Shopping for us alone is traumatic enough..I can't imagine shopping every day then delivering to unknown homes.

John, there are a number of similar services popping up in SoCal, but they're all volunteer based. Lots of younger, healthy volunteers are doing the shopping and bringing it to the elderly, infirm and isolated/quarantined.

Maybe, rather than focusing on generic basics, your friend would be better off doing premium shopping for specific desires. People better off financially might want to pay her fee for the specific items they want. She could have an add-on premium sourcing fee for anything she can't easily find. I'm guessing, but don't know for sure, that higher end stores and specialty stores may be better stocked, especially of more outré items, and are probably a lot less crowded. Older, richer, pickier folks are also isolated at home, and just as grateful to have someone do for them.

I wouldn’t do it, but they have no income now . . .

The restaurant supply place is uncrowded and you can get in and out quickly. I don’t perceive much risk going there, appropriately masked up of course.

Agreed. But if volunteers are also doing it where you are, will your friend be able to charge for doing the same thing?

Getting this economic engine running again is going to take some out-of-the-box thinking. Kudos to those looking for a niche. This "temporary gig" may turn into something if they are innovative enough.

I'd look to the basic needs, and then add "specialty foods" like frozen cooked meals, taking into account skills you have.

Grub hub II.

ETA

Grub Grabbers

Don't forget there is a self-employment tax.

plllog, not sure about that.

Why I instacart....I see photos of items to add to my list.

I am contacted when the shopping begins.

I am contacted if I need to OK a substitution.

I know when items are found and placed in cart - “18 of 22 items have been shopped”

(contact is done through the app )

All for a fee of 3.99 per delivery. Approx added on tip (through the app) for $100.00 purchase is about $5.00 —— we always leave a nice cash tip when order arrives.

An independent shopper would need to do the same for me to consider changing.