10 Items or Less: Never Looked Back

The Instacart community is as diverse as the items in the grocery store — every day, tens of thousands of individuals shop, deliver, and become an extension of people’s households. We want to share this community’s stories, highlighting Instacart shoppers, shift leads, and site managers all across North America. 10 Items or Less is a series featuring just some of the amazing members of the Instacart community, sharing their unique experiences and secret sauce with the world.

1. What’s your name, and where are you from? I’m Janine, from Staten Island, New York.
2. When and why did you decide to start shopping with Instacart? I was searching for a job 4 years ago and I was intrigued when I saw the posting for Instacart. It said we could set our schedule and work the hours that were best for us. As a mom of three girls I knew this could work. I started 4 years ago and never looked back. 
3. What’s your favorite thing about shopping with Instacart? I love that I work the days and hours that are best for me and my family. I don’t have to miss a school performance or activity with the kids. When I had a 9-5 job I missed a lot. 
4. What 3 items are always in your personal shopping cart? Some sort of chocolate, something salty and a box of cookies. 
5. What’s a fun fact that would surprise us about you? I own a chicken, a bearded dragon, and a fish. 
6. What’s a shopping tip that a lot of people might not know (your “secret sauce”)? Always communicate with your customer. Check for expired items, and check produce carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask a customer how they like their bananas (green, more yellow, or a combo of both). You want to make each shop pleasant for the customer. Don’t rush just to get it done. 
7. Do you have any relationships you’ve made while shopping with Instacart? Absolutely. A lot of customers have known me since I started in 2018, and get very happy when they find out I will be their shopper. 
8. What’s your most-used Instacart emoji? 😊
9. What’s your “side dish” — a hobby, a hidden talent, another job you do on the side? I am a fifth grade religion teacher which I absolutely love doing. I also used to sell houses before I started Instacart. 
10. What’s one piece of guidance or encouragement you would give to the shopper community? Take your time and communicate with your customer. Don’t rush the shop without checking for expired items or damaged produce. Always suggest a replacement. I had customers that put no replacement but once I sent them options they changed their mind. Handle their groceries with care. Always be kind to the customer. You never know what kind of day they are having.

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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.