Local restaurant launches self-directed pickup and delivery service
In response to the way things are right now, restaurants across the city are navigating new territory in order to stay afloat and continue serving the community.
One downtown joint, Farm’r, has opted for a self-directed pickup and delivery service that aims to do just that.
Dubbed Farm’r at Home, the program focuses on prepared meals that are made from scratch with local ingredients, and there is no third-party delivery service involved.
Instead, the team runs deliveries themselves.
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The joint is prepping restaurant-quality meals that are meant to be heated and enjoyed at home; all of the food is cooked, but arrives refrigerated, and in oven-safe containers, for easy storage.
Orders for the spot’s offerings, which range from mains and proteins to sides and salads, as well as baked goods and wine, can be placed online.
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“It was devastating for us at first. We tried to stay open, but takeout and delivery orders dried up. After talking to everyone we could and experimenting with different ideas, we developed a whole new menu in bigger portions that can be heated at home or frozen for later,” Kyle Webster, Farm’r co-founder and head chef, said in a release.
“As a restaurant we have access to some great products you never see at a traditional grocery store, and they’re even hard to find at a specialty store. We want to get to the point where we can offer some of those amazing raw products directly to customers while supporting local businesses.”
The Farm’r at Home menu is designed for one or two people to enjoy with leftovers, or to feed a family with a meal or two during the week.
In addition to prepared meals, the spot is also offering pantry goods like Pilot Coffee beans, chocolate bars from Toronto-based ChocoSol, and Ontario grown quinoa.
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Farm’r opted to navigate delivery and pickup offerings independently in order to reduce the number of people coming into contact with both staff and food. Plus, the process means the team knows how food is being handled at all times.
For now, the spot is delivering within an 8 km radius of their St. Lawrence Market location, but the team hopes to expand that distance down the line. They also hope to add more days to their delivery schedule, which right now is only set for Wednesdays and Fridays.
Orders must be placed two days in advance for pickup or delivery at a set time, which you can select online.
Farm’r at Home
Address: 140A The Esplanade
Phone: 416-901-8676