Rapidly increasing COVID-19 numbers and the new round of countywide safer-at-home restrictions that limit the number of people allowed into essential retail businesses like grocery stores is increasing the demand for delivery and curbside pickup. Many stores were swamped by demand during the first round of restrictions in April. Delivery and curbside pickup still has hitches but is generally smoother and more widely available than it was earlier this year.
We’ve updated TNT’s original grocery list to reflect those changes, and added some resources that weren’t originally available in the Topanga area, like Amazon Fresh. It’s important to allow extra time for delivery—don’t wait until the cupboard is bare to place an order.
Many grocery stores rely on Instacart for delivery, and drivers are frequently stretched thin, meaning delays are possible. Instacart has expanded its service area but still doesn’t deliver to all parts of the Santa Monica Mountains. Curbside pickup is a more reliable and expeditious option.
Farm boxes and farmers markets continue to be a viable alternative to grocery stores for a variety of supplies. Many have adapted to provide a wider range of necessities. Supporting local farmers helps put much needed money back into the local economy and keeps local farms in business.
Topanga residents who are elderly or at high risk due to medical issues and who need help getting groceries should contact the volunteers at the Topanga Community Center: https://topangacommunitycenter.org
Delivery and Curbside Pickup
The Abundant Table in Oxnard, offers drop-off points for their beautiful vegetable boxes in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village—still a drive, but closer to home. theabundanttable.org
Farm Fresh to You is a family-owned CSA—Community Supported Agriculture—service that operates out of the Capay Valley near Sacramento. They ship weekly or biweekly farm boxes, with a choice of fruits, vegetables, or a mix of both. Extra options like eggs and dairy are available. www.farmfreshtoyou.com
Fig Tree Ranch. This Malibu farm stand offers a selection of organic fruits and vegetables curated by Kerry Clasby, aka the Intuitive Forager (www.intuitiveforager.com). Pick up daily at the farm stand, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 29127 Pacific Coast Highway (opposite Heathercliff Drive), or order in advance for curbside pick up. www.facebook.com/IntuitiveForager/
Röckenwagner Market, famed for its bread, has farm boxes with produce and staples in addition to a selection of bread and pastries. Also available are prepared meals, a selection of wine, and Dear John’s TV dinners—a gourmet take on the old frozen-dinners-in-a-metal-tray from the 1960s. Orders can be picked up in town at the Washington Blvd. bakery location, or shipped: Röckenwagner Market, 12835 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, rockenwagnermarket.com
Underwood Family Farms. Weekly farm boxes that can be delivered or picked up curbside. All FedEx orders received after 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday will be shipped out on the following Monday. Underwood also has two well-stocked farm stand locations in Moorpark, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, and Somis: 5696 E. Los Angeles Ave. underwoodfamilyfarms.com
Earth Matterz. A Topanga-based farm box company, created by Kali Star, that offers delivery and pickup in Topanga and all throughout the Los Angeles area. Website: www.earthmatterz.com, or go to earthmatterz.csaware.com/store/ for the online store.
Edible Gardens L.A. Founder Lauri Kranz is an advocate for planting and growing edible gardens, and the author of A Garden Can Be Anywhere. Her company offers farm boxes with produce sourced from her own L.A. farm, as well as other local growers and producers. Sign up for delivery emails for information about how to order. www.ediblegardensla.com
Imperfect Foods. The mission of this San Francisco-based company is getting perfectly good but cosmetically imperfect produce to customers and keeping it out of landfills. In addition to produce, Imperfect Food boxes can be customized with dry goods like coffee and quinoa. Dairy products and eggs are also available. Unlike many farm box offerings, subscribers can select what they wish to receive based on what is available—the selection changes frequently. They ship anywhere in the U.S., and they’re currently offering a “Holiday Gift Box” for you to surprise a loved one with. www.imperfectfoods.com
Gelson’s has many locations throughout the valley and the LA area. You can order online and have it delivered to your door via Instacart, or ready for pickup at your nearest location. Gelson’s is also offering special Hanukkah dinners for the holidays, available for pickup only. gelsons.com
Whole Foods offers delivery and pickup through Amazon Prime. They are offering complete holiday meals, available to order and pickup starting on December 1. wholefoodsmarket.com
Amazon Fresh offers same day delivery through Amazon Prime with a minimum purchase (varies by area) and fast pickup at Amazon Stores. Regular grocery store items and seasonal fresh produce from local growers. amazon.com/fresh
Erewhon has a wide variety of gourmet foods, luscious produce, and unique, healthy snacks for every occasion. Erewhon is available to order online for free pickup. erewhonmarket.com
Von’s states that they are offering pickup and delivery via Instacart (depending on your exact location) on their website. Curbside pickup is also available. Call on arrival. vons.com
Santa Monica Co-Opportunity offers curbside pickup as well as delivery for produce, bulk products, wellness items and more. Check the website for a promotional code to get free delivery on your first order! cooportunity.com
Farmers Markets
Social distancing measures at farmers markets include wide spacing, hand-washing stations, and traffic cones and tape to guide patrons where to stand. Customers indicate what they wish to purchase, and vendors package it for them. The only point of direct contact is during payment. Masks are required, and all participants—vendors and customers—are requested to observe the six-foot-social distancing requirement at all times.
Calabasas Farmers Market Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 23504 Calabasas Rd. www.facebook.com/CalabasasFM/
Santa Monica Farmers Market Saturdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., and Wednesday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Both markets continue offering CalFresh/EBT. Patrons are asked to enter the market on 2nd Street, or from Arizona Avenue at 3rd Street. Closed on November 28th. tinyurl.com/y6qglr5j
Westlake Village Farmers Market Sundays, 10 a.m.-2p.m., 2797 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, California 91361, www.facebook.com/WestlakeVillageFM/
Palisades Farmers Market is on Swarthmore Ave, and continues down Antioch, past Sunset. Market Hours: 8:00-2:00 pm. Every Sunday through December 27th. For Topanga residents who would like to enjoy farmers market produce without the hassle of actually going to one, Canyon Gourmet owner Peter Kagan visits the Santa Monica Farmers Market twice weekly, selecting a carefully curated variety of produce, and he also has a network of small local farms that sell directly to him. Canyon Gourmet is located at 120 S Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 90290. They also offer delivery to folks in the canyon and beyond! (310) 455-4200, www.canyongourmet.com
