Guide to Grocery Stores with Free Curbside Pickup

If you want to save time, using curbside pickup for your groceries is a great option. Instead of walking through the aisles, you can order your food using a store’s website or smartphone app and have it brought out to your car.

It is important to know that most stores do not take orders over the phone; you must use their digital tools. Here is a guide to which stores offer free pickup and what you need to know before you order.
 

Stores Where Pickup is Always Free

A few major retailers offer free pickup without many strings attached:
 

• Target: Their “Drive Up” service is free for all orders. You must use the Target app to place the order. Note that not all Target locations offer this service, so check your local store first.
• Sam’s Club: This service is free for members. You can order through their website or app.
• Whole Foods: Pickup is usually free when you shop through Amazon or the Whole Foods app. However, it isn’t available everywhere, and some locations may still charge a small service fee.

 

Stores With a $35 Minimum

Many national chains offer free curbside pickup, but only if you spend at least $35. If your total is less than that, you will be charged a fee.
 

• Walmart: If your order is under $35, you will pay a "below order minimum fee." This applies even if you have a Walmart+ membership.
• Sprouts: There is a $3.99 fee for orders under $35.
• Kroger: There is a $4.95 fee for orders under $35.
• Meijer: There is a $4.95 fee for orders under $35.

 

Using Apps Like Instacart

Some stores, like Aldi and Costco, partner with Instacart for their pickup services. Fees for these stores can change depending on the store and how quickly you want your groceries.

If you use SNAP/EBT:
 

1. Instacart offers a discounted "Instacart+" membership for $4.99 a month for the first year if you have used your EBT card on the app recently.
2. Instacart+ gives you $0 delivery and pickup fees on grocery orders over $35.

Important: Even if your food is covered by SNAP, service fees and pickup fees are not. You will need to provide a credit or debit card to pay for those extra costs.
 

Things to Keep in Mind

While curbside pickup is convenient, there are a few downsides to watch out for:
 

• Higher Prices: Items often cost more online than they do inside the store. Third-party apps like Instacart frequently add a markup to the price of each item.
• No Hand-Picking: Since a store employee is shopping for you, you can’t personally pick the freshest fruit or the best cut of meat.
• Replacements: If an item you want is out of stock, the store might choose a different brand for you. You should check your app settings to see if you can approve or decline these replacements before they are finalized.

If your favorite local store isn't on this list, check their website or visit the customer service desk to see if they have started their own pickup program.

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