Coronavirus: Company Offers Free Delivery For Most Vulnerable

NORTHBROOK, IL — The Fresh Plan, a Northbrook-based meal delivery service, is offering free delivery for clients that may be vulnerable to the coronavirus. The company also is using donations from its client base to fund food drop-offs to Northwestern Medicine, the pediatric emergency department of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Advocate Condell Medical Center and Lurie's Children's Hospital and will be doing a drop-off NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital.

Co-owners Scott and Betsy Epton said they started Fresh Plan four years ago after being dissatisfied with the customer service and quality of the distributor they had been working for. The company now has six locations that serve the Chicago metropolitan area. All food is cooked in a commercial kitchen in Chicago without artificial flavors or preservatives and is delivery fully prepared to clients.

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 14: 794 Deaths

When the coronavirus pandemic escalated, Betsy Epton said she heard from many clients and customers who are elderly and experiencing health problems about whether they'd be able to have food delivered. The decision then was made to offer free delivery for seniors, people with illnesses, health workers and people who may have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus. Of the roughly 100 customers Fresh Plan assists each week, Epton said about 20 are being delivered to for free.

"People really needed us and we needed to help them so that's really how this whole COVID-19 thing started," Epton said.

Epton said her company tries to maintain a family-owned, local identity so when deliveries are made to the elderly, she makes sure the clients' children are notified.

"Whatever we can do for the senior community, we're always willing to do it," Epton said.

To keep on top of the latest coronavirus news, subscribe to Patch news alerts and newsletters. The latest updates on the coronavirus situation can be found on this page.