How To Get Groceries Delivered to Your Dorm (Quickly and Cheaply)

As a college student, the last thing you want to do is go to the grocery store between studying, attending classes and having fun with friends. Going off-campus is a hassle and long lines at the grocery store are a major buzzkill.

Thankfully, Instacart and other online grocery stores are available to make your life easier. Let’s go over everything you need to know about getting groceries delivered to your dorm.

Can I get groceries delivered to my dorm?

You can get groceries delivered to your dorm with the help of Instacart. We make it easy to add grocery list items to your digital cart and have them delivered to your dorm. 

Keep in mind that some schools have restrictions on who can come into your dorm, but, you can always add instructions for your delivery driver.

What items can I get delivered to my dorm? 

You can place an online grocery order for all your dorm room essentials. Here are a few items you can get delivered to your dorm.

Food items:

• Baked goods
• Dairy products
• Deli 
• Fresh fruit and vegetables  
• Frozen food
• Fresh meat
• Ready-to-cook meals
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Granola bars
• Nuts
• Canned goods
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, sauces)

Beverages:

• Coffee
• Energy drinks
• Juices
• Kombucha
• Probiotic drinks
• Soda
• Sports drinks
• Tea
• Water
• Water enhancers

Grab it now on Instacart:

Peanut butter

Frozen pizza

Cereal

Bread

Coffee

Energy drinks

Water

Deli meat

Chips

Granola bars

Household essentials:

• Air fresheners
• Cleaning supplies
• Disposable drinkware
• Disposable plates
• Food storage containers
• Household appliances
• Laundry supplies
• Paper towels and napkins
• Pest control supplies
• Trash cans and bags
• Water filters

Personal care:

• Beauty products
• Body care
• Eye care
• Ear care
• Deodorant
• Feminine products
• Hair care
• Oral care
• Shaving tools

Health care:

• Cold and flu medicine
• First-aid products
• Muscle and joint products
• Protein supplements
• Sexual wellness products
• Stomach pain relief
• Vitamins and supplements
• Weight management products

School supplies:

• Backpacks
• Glue
• Markers
• Notepads
• Paper
• Pencils
• Pens
• Scissors 
• Tape 

Grab it now on Instacart:

Shampoo

Face wash

Deodorant

First aid kit

Immune support

Air freshener

Damage-free hooks

Pens

Backpack

Electronics:

• Calculators
• Camera film
• Chargers and cords
• Fans
• Headphones
• Ink
• Polaroid and disposable cameras
• Printers
• Video games and consoles
• Weight scales

Sports and outdoor equipment:

• Air mattresses
• Basketballs
• Flashlights
• Footballs
• Hand weights 
• Jump ropes 
• Lanterns
• Resistance cords
• Soccer balls
• Tennis balls

Party and gift supplies:

• Balloons
• Banners 
• Cards 
• Confetti
• Costumes
• Face paint
• Gift bags

Books:

• Crossword puzzles
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Novels

Games:

• Playing cards
• Board games
• Puzzles

How does grocery delivery to my dorm work?

While getting your groceries delivered to your dorm may sound too good to be true, it’s actually available to many students. Let’s go through the steps you’ll need to take to receive your groceries right to your door.

1. Browse the mobile app or desktop site 

The first step to getting groceries delivered to your dorm is to browse the mobile app or desktop site. Use the online grocery store to find all the items you need or want to try.

2. Add items to your cart 

Once you find a product you want, hit the “add to cart” button and your items will move to your digital cart. Maybe it’s strawberry season and you’re looking for berries to snack on between classes. Or perhaps you want to try a new type of coffee to help you stay awake and study for finals.

3. Input your delivery details 

After you fill up your grocery cart, it’s time to proceed to the delivery details. You’ll want to include your building when inputting your delivery address — be as specific as possible so your delivery driver arrives at the correct location. Make sure to include your contact information, parking information and building entry instructions for a smooth handoff.

4. Inform your RA or front desk attendant  

Certain residence halls have restrictions for outside guests, including deliveries. Make sure to inform your resident advisor (RA) or front desk attendant of any upcoming deliveries. If your residence does have restrictions, you can always meet your delivery driver in the lobby or outside.

5. Receive your groceries 

After you complete these steps, you should receive your grocery order with ease. You should be able to track when your delivery driver is on their way and close by. Your groceries will be delivered to your dorm according to your instructions or you can meet the driver outside the building. Don’t forget to put your frozen and cold items away before returning to the fun on campus!

Dorm-friendly recipes

Living in a dorm can make cooking challenging, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition. With limited kitchen space and equipment, these simple and delicious dorm-friendly recipes are perfect for students looking to whip up something tasty without a full kitchen setup:

• Microwave mug mini pepperoni and mozzarella pizza
• Sesame ginger ramen noodles
• Overnight oats
• Mug brownie
• Fruit and yogurt parfait with granola
• Egg salad sandwich
• Protein balls with almonds
• Guacamole

Get groceries delivered to your dorm now

You can get groceries delivered to your dorm right now. Not only are you able to skip the long lines and avoid leaving campus, but you’re able to spend your extra time making the most of your college days. Receive all of your essentials with the click of a button — some orders even qualify for same-day delivery.

Not sure how to cook in your dorm? Check out our resource to take your skills to the next level.

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.