The school assignment called for me to interview an older member of my family about what has changed since they were children. I was in 4th grade and I had to make a presentation in class about the person I interviewed. I recorded the interview on my cassette tape recorder that I used to carry around and secretly tape my family. I still have many of these recordings and once in a while I’ll listen again.
My Grandma Kimberly spoke about missing the fresh milk her mother had delivered to their home. The delivery service came by a horse-drawn cart. She explained the delivery man would pick up the empty bottles and leaves ones filled with fresh milk. She shared that there was also a service that delivered fresh eggs. That seemed fascinating to me since I grew up in a supermarket world with bargain bins and blue light specials.
Grocers are now trying to create a more open market style that tries to emanate a positive organic shopping experience. While these new enhancements, I believe, make shopping a little less hectic and sterile, I still have to make a trip to the store.
Milk, eggs, and bread. What everyone flocks to the store to buy when bad weather is approaching and what families are frequently finding their low on stock.
“Hey, there’s a snow storm approaching! I better get my milk, eggs, and bread lest my family starve for the day it takes to get the roads clear.”
“Oh no, a possible tornado! I better get my milk, eggs, and bread in case we have to cook over a candle when the power goes out.”
“It’s been a few days since I went to the store. Let’s see what do I need. Oh yes, milk, eggs, and bread.”
This is when I think of Grandma and her delivery service. I envision a drone or driverless car pulling up to my home with my groceries in tow, which my refrigerator automatically ordered for me when it noticed I was running low. The refrigerator will also keep track of what my family eats and can make suggestions based on the contents stored inside. The service could even put my groceries away.
The refrigerator is hooked up to my grocery account and the payment is automatically deducted from my bank account. The purchase is then transferred to my digital checkbook that notes the purchase and classifies the objects bought. The program will then give me monthly reports on my purchases.
While some of this technology is still in the works, there are smart refrigerators on the market that tell you when you’re running out of items you need. That’s connected to an ap that tells you you’re out. There are groceries that deliver and there are stand-alone shopping/delivery businesses. Some will even put your groceries away for you. These services are becoming more affordable, but can still be pricey.
This doesn’t quite reach my future shopping fantasy but it’s getting close. So for now I’m stuck heading out to get some milk, eggs, and bread on my own. One day I hope my grandchild will ask me how things have changed and I can tell the tale of how I used to drive to the grocery for purchases instead of having them delivered.