METUCHEN – With the success of the Metuchen Farmers Virtual Market comes a partnership with Boxcar.
Boxcar, an integrated commuting company based in Chatham, has partnered with local produce providers to make boxes of grocery staples available for purchase and currently is offering contact-free, drive-through pickup for communities.
Metuchen joins a number of communities that have partnered with Boxcar including Bernardsville, Bridgewater, Cranford, Madison, Millburn, Peapack, Ramsey and West Windsor in New Jersey and Newton and South Boston in Massachusetts.
Councilman Jason Delia discussed the partnership at a Borough Council meeting on April 27.
Residents can purchase a box of groceries for $58 through the Boxcar app. And similar to the Metuchen Farmers Virtual Market, which launched on March 31, residents can pick up the box of groceries from noon to 3 p.m. in the Halsey Street parking lot. The Boxcar pickup will be on Thursdays.
Delia said a box, which can feed a family of four for one week, may contain five pounds of potatoes, a gallon of milk, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit.
“The idea [to partner with Boxcar] was appealing because it provides another way for our residents to get what they need in groceries,” he said.
The Metuchen Farmers Virtual Market went live with Chickadee Creek Farm, Cherry Grove Farm, Pickles Olives Etc. and Stonybrook Meadows Farm. Since then Von Thun’s Country Farm has been added to the list and Countrystand Farm will be added to the list shortly.
The virtual market allows shoppers to purchase produce directly with the farmer vendors and pick up their groceries on Saturday morning in the Halsey Street parking lot. Following social distancing guidelines, the vendor will place the groceries in the shopper’s backseat or trunk.
Stonybrook Meadows Farm does not participate in the Saturday morning pickup; produce is delivered to the shopper’s address.
Delia said Boxcar is looking to partner with local businesses and the business has agreed to donate boxes of food for the local food pantry.
“It’s a win-win all around,” he said.
For more information, visit metuchenvirtualmarket.com. For more information about Boxcar visit www.boxcarapp.com/grocery.