FreshDirect.com Groceries Arrive at Philadelphia's Door Step, October 1, 2012

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FreshDirect, a leading online retailer of fresh foods and grocery items, announced today that the company will officially launch in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 1.   Serving the New York Metro area for the past decade, FreshDirect's 10^th birthday marks the expansion of the company's service footprint into the City of Brotherly Love.  Beginning October 1,  Philadelphians can enjoy FreshDirect's signature farm-fresh produce, custom-cut meat, seafood and deli items, bakery-fresh pastries and breads, local foods, all-natural and organic foods, coffee, and freshly made meals. FreshDirect's catering products will also be available for parties and events located in the delivery area.

"We're excited to start delivering FreshDirect's exceptional quality fresh food and groceries to Philadelphia residents," said Jason Ackerman, FreshDirect's Co-Founder and CEO. "With increased desire for healthy eating combined with busy schedules and demanding social lives, our customers find value in purchasing the highest quality fresh, organic and locally farmed foods online with delivery directly to their homes -- on their time. Philadelphia is an ideal city to expand our service due to the cultural pride, movement toward healthier eating and a growing community of young professionals and families living in the city."

On September 25, FreshDirect's online store front will open, allowing Philadelphia customers to register online, shop and schedule deliveries beginning October 1. The September 25 registration provides an opportunity for potential customers to become acquainted with the company's offerings and the website's functionality, and be among the first Philadelphians to enjoy the FreshDirect experience.  

"FreshDirect brings a unique connection between online grocery shopping and our local farmers in the Greater Philadelphia area," said Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce. "The company not only provides convenience of eating fresh, healthy and local foods, but also access for more Philadelphia city residents to purchase and consume local produce. We are honored to welcome FreshDirect to Philadelphia and look forward to being ongoing community partners."

FreshDirect will initially launch in eight center-city Philadelphia zip codes, with plans to expand throughout the Greater Philadelphia region in 2013. The eight zip codes include the following neighborhoods: Rittenhouse, Logan Square, Washington Square, Old City, Society Hill, Bella Vista, Queen's Village, Graduate Hospital, Grey's Ferry, Fairmount, Art Museum, Spring Garden, and Northern Liberties.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome FreshDirect to Philadelphia and welcome them as a new partner in the fight against hunger in the Delaware Valley," said Bill Clark, president and executive director of Philabundance, the region's largest hunger relief organization. "More people than ever before are in need of food assistance and we truly look forward to working with FreshDirect to help us drive hunger from our communities."

"We are excited to partner with FreshDirect so that residents of Philadelphia – even the most vulnerable - have access to high quality, nutritious food," said Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Project H.O.M.E..

FreshDirect is a premium online fresh food and grocery retailer with no brick and mortar store. Fresh food is directly sourced from a range of organic, sustainable, grass fed, cage free and fair trade farmers and organizations across the United States, with many located within a 300-mile radius of our service area. Our local meats, produce, and dairy come straight from the farmers to FreshDirect's climate-controlled center.  These items are then carefully packed, loaded into refrigerator/freezer trucks and sent directly to customers' homes. All fruits and vegetables are issued quality ratings daily, so that shoppers can know what's good. Similarly, sustainable seafood ratings help customers make informed decisions. The FreshDirect Freshness Guarantee takes the guesswork out of shopping so you can make good choices that help you plan your meals, avoid waste and save money.

Highlights of FreshDirect's offering Include:

• Produce quality ratings from one to five stars, take the guesswork out of shopping, allowing customers to make informed decisions about food.
• Guaranteed freshness dates enable customers to better plan meals, avoid waste, and save money.
• Steaks, deli meats and cheeses are cut fresh to order, just the way you want (thickness, quantity) so these items are as fresh as going to a specialty store and don't spend time on shelves.
• Shopping apps for smartphones. Quick-Shop shopping lists that make ordering your weekly basics fast, easy and forget-proof.
• One-Click Recipes with ingredients that load automatically into your virtual shopping cart.
• Low-maintenance meals such as "Sides in a Snap," "4-Minute Meal" entrees, or "Heat & Eat" for busy shoppers on the go.
• "Green Delivery," which allows shoppers to see when deliveries are being made to their area and opt for a compatible delivery time.
• DeliveryPass feature, which enables unlimited deliveries within a 6-month or 1-year period for a flat fee.
• Search features based on lifestyle and dietary needs, including organic, local, gluten-free and kosher products.

"The winning combination of best in market food quality and innovative customer convenience has established a happy and healthy customer base in the New York Metro area during our first ten years in business," said Ackerman. "Customers will try us for the convenience, but stay with us for our commitment to outstanding service and great quality fresh foods."

FreshDirect requires a $30 minimum order and a $6.99-$8.99 delivery fee. But new customers can purchase for one penny unlimited free deliveries for 60 days with DeliveryPass when they sign up for this service.  Customers can register and find promotional materials by logging on the company's website, www.freshdirect.com.  During the week of October 1, there will be a variety of FreshDirect events and activities as FreshDirect officially launches in Philadelphia.

About FreshDirect

FreshDirect is a leading online grocer in the U.S., delivering premium quality fresh-from-the-farm foods and brand-name groceries to customers in the greater New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a 2,000-member workforce that is still growing, FreshDirect places an emphasis on nutritious, delicious meals and convenient services that allow customers more time to live healthy lives. FreshDirect aspires to be a valued corporate partner in all communities in which it serves. 

For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com. Follow FreshDirect on Twitter: @freshdirect and on Facebook: facebook.com/FreshDirect

Contact: Sarah Lindsay
Phone: 215-564-3200x118
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE FreshDirect