Azure Standard: Breaking the Mold in Food Delivery
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Meta Description (150–160 characters) Azure Standard delivers organic groceries nationwide through a unique, community-based drop system. Learn how it works and get our honest review.
Nearly four decades ago, Oregon farmers David and Kimberley Stelzer made the bold decision to transition their conventional farm to organic for the sake of their and their customers' health. But with national organic food distribution dominated by giant multinationals, getting their products to customers proved more difficult. “I just came up against roadblock after roadblock,” says David Stelzer. Undeterred, the couple created a six-page product catalog on an old word processor and began selling directly to local customers. That grassroots effort grew into Azure Standard, a nationwide distributor that now delivers natural and organic products to more than 2,600 community drop points across all 50 states, each one organized by a local volunteer.
Rethinking Delivery to Lower Costs Azure’s unique drop-point delivery system allows customers to bypass the “last mile” of typical home delivery—the most expensive part of e-commerce fulfillment. “By cutting that out, we’re able to offer a more affordable option for families and people who really care about what they eat,” says Stelzer. Azure now farms more than 4,000 acres of organic produce and partners with vetted small and mid-size producers to source additional items.
How It Works The Azure online store features over 12,000 products—including flours, grains, legumes, heirloom seeds, natural cleaning supplies, and more. All items must meet Azure’s strict standards: no preservatives, artificial food colorings, refined sugars, pesticides, or GMOs. To get started: 1. Create a free account at AzureStandard.com. 2. Go to your account page and click “Add a new drop.” Enter your ZIP code to view drop locations near you. (If there isn’t one, you can start your own.) 3. Read the drop notes, which will let you know how pickups work and whether items can be held if you’re delayed. 4. Shop and place your order. Orders over $50 ship free to your drop point. 5. When you place your order you will be given an estimate of the delivery time. 6. A few days before delivery, you’ll receive an email with your scheduled pickup time. You must check this email, as pickup times can change due to weather, traffic, or the delivery size, though typically they are fairly consistent. 7. Show up at the drop location—often a parking lot or someone’s driveway—and collect your items, which are sorted alphabetically. Those who can help unload the truck. ### Prefer home delivery? Azure also ships directly to your door for an added freight cost.
Why I Like It Full disclosure: I’ve been using Azure Standard off and on for two years for my family, and I love it. It’s easy to get started, and true to Azure’s mission, items are competitively priced—organic items are often cheaper than non-organic options elsewhere. My sack of organic buckwheat groats comes in at $1.89 per pound!
But you don’t have to buy bulk to get good prices. Kim Newhouse, my local drop coordinator, says, “I like that I can get [bulk goods], but I can also get the small things. So, I can just get one jar of jam, one jar of peanut butter, or a 1-pound bag of something, and it’s reasonably priced.”
Beyond produce and pantry staples, Azure Standard carries many hard-to-find items not typically stocked in conventional stores—like unifine-milled flours, rolled organic barley flakes, and bulk quinoa flakes. They also offer a wide variety of non-food items, such as heirloom seeds and other gardening supplies, cleaning items, and health and beauty products that run the gamut from aromatherapy to skin care.
Azure sends reminder emails to help ensure you remember to place your order.
The packaging is recyclable or compostable (think cardboard boxes, paper bags, and compostable packing peanuts), which makes the experience feel even more aligned with my values. And I love that my purchase supports small- to medium-size businesses. It was easy to find a drop—there were two close to where I live—but if I moved to an area where there wasn’t one, I’d look into setting up my own. What to Know Before You Order The biggest drawback to using Azure Standard is that the drop system requires you to pick up your items at the scheduled drop time. While some coordinators may be able to hold items temporarily, this isn’t guaranteed and can add logistical complexity for those with unpredictable schedules. Because Azure deliveries are made via monthly routes, it’s not a replacement for regular grocery runs. Delicate fresh produce like lettuce may lose some crispness if your drop is at the end of the delivery route. So if you’re ordering fresh produce, you may want to start small so you can see how the items arrive, or reach out to Azure for recommendations based on your position in the delivery cycle. Additionally, Azure no longer carries tofu, so you’ll need to source that elsewhere. The Bottom Line If you’re looking for high-quality whole-food, plant-based ingredients at an affordable price point, Azure is a great option, and the service is especially useful if there are limited grocery options where you live. There is also a feel-good factor that comes from supporting smaller businesses and meeting up with health-minded neighbors once a month.