For probably over a year I've had it in my noggin to start a delivery route. We know how hard it is for people to make the time to make the sometimes long drive to us, and while I'd love nothing more than to have you visit, in terms of gas consumption it has to be said that it's more efficient for us to deliver to a number of customers on one route than it is for each one to make separate trips to us. So we're starting to get our delivery ducks in a row.
We're hoping the response will be enough that we can make the run every other week. If enough folks order - and for these purposes 'enough' isn't a big number - then the individual order minimum could be quite low and we could avoid having to tack on a percentage for gas.
The goal is to have an online database that you could order from - ideally, it would allow you to know exactly what we have in stock more or less in real time, with prices, to take the guesswork out of ordering. Eventually this should allow for online payment as well if that's the most workable for you. (At present we can process your card over the phone; checks are preferred when possible but it's your call.) In the meantime, the ordering process (by e-mail or phone) would be a little more awkward but hopefully that condition won't last too long.
A delivery route also means that if you're a local producer, we can probably arrange to pick up as long as we're in your area.
So, every other Friday, God willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll be delivering to Margaretville and Andes, and the alternate Friday to Roscoe and the surrounding area. A few days before the run, I'll send an e-mail heads-up containing a list of available produce, cheeses, and seafood, along with some highlights from the goodies that have come in to us that week. If you'd like to receive that e-mail, just write us at pnf.pepactonnaturalfoods (at) gmail.com.
Anything we carry can be included in your delivery. And we carry a quite amazing array of stuff, from foods to health & beauty to household and paper products to vitamin & herb supplements.
Please also let us know if you have any ideas that would make this service work well for you. And please tell your friends and neighbors.
Many thanks!
Laurie
