What is Amazon Fresh? (Everything you need to know!)
Many stores now offer grocery shopping and delivery services to their customers. With options from curbside pickup to home delivery, spending hours at the grocery store is a thing of the past.
Amazon Fresh is one of the newer services that offers this convenience. But what exactly is Amazon Fresh and how do you get started?
What is Amazon Fresh?
Amazon Fresh is a grocery service that offers delivery and pickup in multiple U.S. cities. Amazon Prime members and some invited customers can use Amazon Fresh to buy groceries, household items, and groceries.
To learn everything about how Amazon Fresh works, from the specifics to how to get started with the service, key differences between Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods, and more, read on….
What brands does Amazon Fresh offer?
Amazon Fresh mostly stocks their own basic products and brands, but they do offer some favorites you might recognize, such as:
Beverage brand:
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters
- American Heart Association
- Pepsi
- Cola
- Starbucks
- Aquafina
- Nestle
- Dasani
- Arizona
- Zevia
- Vita Coco
- Bulli
- pure leaf
- TAZO
Dairy and Egg Brands:
- fresh
- happy belly
- 365 Whole Foods
Snack brand:
- rich
- Annie’s
- pot
- Boom Chicka Pop
- smart food
- layout
- Doritos
- Mott’s
- Dole
- Philadelphia
- toast
Production farms and brands:
- Taylor Farm
- Gotham Greens
- Leafy Farm
- organic girl
- grounded farm
- ocean spray
- Fifes
- wonderful halo
- Dan Ru
- Zespri
Household products brands:
- zipper
- glade
- Fly Blazer
- bounty
- call
- Kleenex
- wave
- Betty Crocker
These brands can vary by city, as not all Amazon Fresh stores are the same.
If you enter your zip code on the Amazon Fresh website, you’ll get a better idea of what brands are and aren’t available in your area.
Is Amazon Fresh its own grocery store?
Yes, Amazon Fresh is a series of independent brick-and-mortar store locations. You can choose to go in person and buy your favorite items in person.
That being said, most people opt for the delivery and pickup service offered because it’s more convenient for Prime members.
Where is Amazon Fresh available?
Amazon Fresh is growing rapidly and has many stores. They are currently available in the following US cities:
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Boston
- chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- houston
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Minneapolis
- New York
- Phoenix
- Philadelphia
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Washington DC
Anyone who lives in or near these cities can get started with Amazon Fresh delivery.
To see if you qualify for Amazon Fresh, simply enter your zip code on the Amazon Fresh website and see if they offer delivery/or pickup in your area.
If Amazon Fresh isn’t already available in your area, be sure to check back in a few months as they are growing fast!
Where does Amazon Fresh get its groceries?
Amazon uses a variety of brands to stock its stores. Like major retailers like Walmart and Target, you can find brands like Philadelphia and Motts. This enables Amazon Fresh to compete with major grocery stores and become a one-stop shop for its customers.
However, Amazon Fresh is increasingly focused on stocking its own product lines, such as 365 Whole Foods, Fresh and Happy Belly.
Can I buy alcohol from Amazon Fresh?
Yes, Amazon fresh does offer wine, beer, and other alcohol. They work with numerous restaurants and local liquor stores, which allows them to offer their customers a variety of options.
In order to receive alcohol, customers must present valid ID at home at the time of delivery. Anyone under the legal drinking age or simply not home at the time of delivery will not receive their shipment and return it to the store.
Customers who live near Whole Foods can choose from a wider selection of alcohol through the Amazon Fresh website.
Is Amazon Fresh exclusive to Prime members?
This service is currently only available to Prime members (or members who have been invited to shop by Amazon Fresh).
You can test the service with a free Prime trial. Any and all Prime members, from regular Prime to Amazon Prime students, are eligible to shop at Amazon Fresh.
One caveat is that Prime Video members (without regular Prime membership) cannot use Prime Fresh.
Invited guests and Prime family members can also shop at Prime Fresh.
How do I shop at Amazon Fresh without a Prime membership?
If you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you can still use the service in a number of ways.
On the Amazon Fresh website, you can request an invitation to shop at a store near you. If accepted, you can shop at the Amazon Fresh store assigned to you without an Amazon Prime membership.
Additionally, customers using an EBT card can shop at their Amazon Fresh store and pay a valid purchase fee.
Is Amazon Fresh free for Prime members?
Amazon Prime members are eligible for free shipping as long as your order meets the minimum requirements.
The minimum amount varies by location, but is usually between $35 and $50 before tax.
If your groceries don’t meet the minimum threshold, you’ll have to pay for shipping, depending on how fast you want your groceries. Usually between $5-8.
How does Amazon Fresh Market work?
Amazon Fresh has created a simple and intuitive system for buying groceries and everyday essentials online.
To get started all you have to do is:
- Create or log in to your Amazon Prime account
- Click the buy now button
- Browse the catalog and fill your cart with groceries
- When ready, select the delivery or pick up in store option
Grocery delivery must be scheduled within two hours and is free when you meet the minimum threshold ($35-50) for select Amazon Fresh stores.
You can also choose to automatically add regular groceries to your cart for later purchases.
As long as an Amazon server hasn’t started packing your order, customers can easily cancel or add items at no additional cost.
You also have the option to change your tip within 24 hours of the item being delivered.
If you have Alexa, you can also use it to easily populate your Amazon Fresh shopping cart. Just say “Alexa, add eggs to my Amazon Fresh cart.”
If there is any problem with your order, you can always contact Amazon customer service to solve the problem.
What is the minimum order quantity for Amazon Fresh to qualify for free shipping?
Amazon Fresh requires a certain number of orders to qualify for free shipping.
This minimum value varies by store location. The minimum fee is $35 in most locations and $50 in some major cities.
You can check the minimum threshold for your location on the Amazon Fresh website.
Can you use Amazon’s key for fresh delivery?
In select cities, you can use Key by Amazon for fresh delivery.
Key By Amazon is a service that allows Amazon delivery drivers to enter customers’ homes, garages and even cars to leave packages and prevent theft.
Go to Amazon’s ZIP Code Eligibility page to check if you’re eligible for this service. You can ask your local Amazon Fresh store or contact Amazon Customer Service for more information about the program.
Is there a difference between Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods?
Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods are completely separate entities. Both allow Amazon Prime members to use their account to make purchases, but they do so differently.
Amazon Fresh offers a variety of brands, similar to major retailers like Walmart and Target.
Whole Foods sells organic food, usually at a higher price.
While Amazon Fresh was made for everyday groceries, Whole Foods has always targeted healthy and eco-friendly consumers.
How much should I tip Amazon Fresh delivery drivers?
Hints are completely optional. Any and all tips are sent directly to the courier and you can edit them within 24 hours of delivery.
For those who do choose to leave a tip, the standard tip on delivery is 10%.
Is Amazon Fresh global or only available in the US?
Amazon Fresh is growing rapidly globally.
Currently, you can find Amazon Fresh in most major U.S. cities, as well as international cities like Berlin, London, Hamburg, Rome, Tokyo, Singapore, Milan, and India.
Amazon Fresh is not yet available in Mexico or Canada.
When is Amazon Fresh Restocking?
The exact timing of restocking varies by location, but they typically restock within 30 days of a product being out of stock or out of stock.
You can check your local Amazon Fresh stock on their website using your zip code.
Do I have to return the Amazon Fresh Shipping Bag?
No, you can keep and reuse the Amazon Fresh delivery bags as you see fit.
Amazon does not require or expect customers to return the green tote bags they use to ship groceries.
What about Amazon Fresh bags?
The green tote bag, a staple of Amazon Fresh’s delivery, is reusable and recyclable. You can use these bags on your next trip to the grocery store and save on plastic.
If you don’t want to use your totes and don’t want to throw them away, Amazon does offer a tote pickup service. Leave the bags outside for your next delivery and the courier will take them away when you deliver your new groceries.
Sometimes Amazon Fresh uses kraft paper bags and cardboard dividers. These are also recyclable.
If any of your bags arrive damaged, Amazon urges its customers to contact customer support to report the problem.
If any item is damaged due to improper packaging and preparation, Amazon may return the damaged item.
In summary…
Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery and pickup service that delivers your groceries and everyday items directly to your home. Amazon Prime members can start shopping on Amazon Fresh immediately if there is a store in their area.
You can check if Amazon Fresh is available in your city by entering your zip code on the Amazon Fresh website.
Want to learn more about Amazon?Check out these related posts to find out when Amazon charges you and how long Amazon’s delivery is delayed
