Sprankle's Saxonburg store now offering free grocery delivery

There’s a new free grocery delivery option in the Saxonburg area.

Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg said Monday it is offering the service to customers living within 10 miles of the store, which opened in July.

Sprankle’s stores in Leechburg and Kittanning have offered free grocery delivery for decades.

“Covid-19 has pushed a lot of customers to remote shopping and delivery and we wanted to continue to offer free delivery as a service to the community,” said owner Doug Sprankle.

Between the three store locations, Sprankle said the grocery store chain delivers to about 200 customers a week.

Sprankle said the majority of customers are senior citizens, people recovering from surgery or accidents, and new mothers.

Online sales surged early on in the pandemic, according to the Food Industry Association. The association reported that online shopping represented 10.5% of all grocery spending in 2019, but that increased to 14.5% in February 2020 and 28% last March and April.

“Home delivery orders at the Leechburg location have doubled due to the pandemic,” Sprankle said. “A lot of people live with high-risk for covid and they want to avoid shopping in stores.”

Customers looking to order groceries from the Saxonburg store should call employee Pam Isenberg at 724-524-1940 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Mondays. Deliveries are made between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Sprankle’s employees act as “shoppers” for items, choosing a store brand unless a name brand item is specified. Orders are packed in bags for delivery.

Customers must be home during the scheduled delivery time, but delivery drivers do not go into customers’ homes.

“A lot of companies have gone to digital ordering, but we like the fact that you will have a connection with a person taking your order. Pam has done a great job in her role,” Sprankle said.

Payments can be made over the phone when orders are placed or by cash when groceries are delivered. EBT cards are accepted.