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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Groveland, FL

Home Care Groveland, FL

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Groveland's Downtown Festival Park in Groveland, FL gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Groveland, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Groveland, FL

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Groveland, FL?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Groveland, FL

Types of Elderly Care in Groveland, FL

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Groveland, FL
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Groveland, FL
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lake David Park in Groveland, FL with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Groveland, FL
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chatham's Place Restaurant or visit EL Puryear Building, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Groveland, FL

Benefits of Home Care in Groveland, FL

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Groveland, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Groveland, FL

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your FL's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Groveland, FL

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Groveland, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Groveland, FL

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Groveland, FL

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Trilogy Orlando
  • Magnolia House at Cascades of Groveland HOA
  • Woodlands at Church Lake
  • Joe Blair Cares
  • Madison at Clermont
  • Hunt Trace Senior Living
Home Care Groveland, FL

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Groveland, FL

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Groveland, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Groveland, FL

Latest News in Groveland, FL

Kroger distribution center in Central Florida closing; over 1,000 employees out of a job

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —The Kroger Co. announced updates that will result in a new, simpler customer experience in addition to profitability improvements on Tuesday morning.As a part of the plans, Kroger Co. said in a news release that it would be closing three delivery fulfillment facilities.The closure of the Central Florida distribution center is a part of these plans, putting over 1,000 employees out of a job.There is no specific date yet, according to Kroger Co., but the closure is expected ...

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —

The Kroger Co. announced updates that will result in a new, simpler customer experience in addition to profitability improvements on Tuesday morning.

As a part of the plans, Kroger Co. said in a news release that it would be closing three delivery fulfillment facilities.

The closure of the Central Florida distribution center is a part of these plans, putting over 1,000 employees out of a job.

There is no specific date yet, according to Kroger Co., but the closure is expected sometime in January 2026.

Tricia, whose husband is a driver at Kroger, expressed concern about the future, saying, "It's scary not knowing what the future is going to hold for us."

Her husband plans to work until the last possible day to receive a $2,500 severance.

"Kroger pays really well, and I am in fear that my husband is not going to be able to find a job that pays at least what he's making at Kroger right now," Tricia said.

She also noted the loss of medical insurance, stating, "I'm covered under this insurance, so now we'll have no medical insurance come February 1st."

Amanda, another affected family member, shared that employees at the Groveland facility were unaware of the impending closure.

"Literally, no one who works at the Groveland facility knew what was going on," Amanda said.

Amanda's husband also works at the facility, and she expressed concern about their son's insurance, saying, "We have an 8-year-old son who's on Kroger insurance and now we might not even have that come February."

How this impacts Central Florida

In Lake County, the Groveland location is shutting down.

Jennifer McIntire, a Kroger shopper and Leesburg resident, highlighted the impact on her family, saying, "It's very hard to shop for a big family."

She explained that delivery and cost savings compared to other chains helped her feed her family of 10.

"Now, I'm worried about what that means I'm going to have to give up. Are we going to have to buy less of what to make my budget stay the same, because with what we have, we can't," McIntire said.

One county commissioner says in many ways, today's news feels like a "profit driven betrayal," especially after the location opened just a few years ago.

Kroger had earned approximately $1.3 million in performance grants from the county, paid annually after the company paid its property taxes, as part of a 10-year agreement.

As a result, between 1,000 and 1,400 people will no longer be employed locally by Kroger after the shutdown.

The facility is the county's seventh-largest employer.

A news release from city of Groveland officials said:

"This is an especially difficult time for employees to hear this news and our hearts go out to those affected. There are approximately 1,400 Kroger employees at the facility, many of whom are Groveland residents. We've already been in contact with Lake County and will work with CareerSource Central Florida to support their employment strategy."

Officials say this news blindsided them.

Kroger Co.'s plans

According to a news release put out by the company, Kroger's plans include an initiative to evolve e-commerce offerings to improve the customer experience and drive profitable sales growth.

Ways they plan to do this and the outcome of the initiative, according to the news release:

About Kroger

The Kroger Co. consists of 400,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through an e-commerce shopping experience in addition to retail food stores.

There are more than 2,700 stores in 35 states.

Kroger was founded in 1883, when a man named Barney Kroger invested $372 into opening a single grocery store in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1901, Kroger became the first grocer in the country to establish bakeries, followed by the integration of a meat department, according to their official site.

One hundred years after the company’s founding, in 1983, Kroger merged with Dillon Companies Inc.

Several other mergers took place over the next few decades, the most recent one in 2018 when it merged with Home Chef.

Is Kroger Delivery ending in Orlando? Kroger closing Lake County fulfillment center

Is Kroger Delivery ending its grocery delivery services in Orlando?Users reported receiving notices on Tuesday that Kroger Delivery service was suspended in Orlando. It coincides with an announcement that Kroger would close three of its delivery fulfillment centers, including a large one in Groveland, Florida.Kroger closing some of its fulfillment centersWhat we know:In a news release, Kroger confirmed that it was closing three of its fulfillment centers across the nation:All three are ...

Is Kroger Delivery ending its grocery delivery services in Orlando?

Users reported receiving notices on Tuesday that Kroger Delivery service was suspended in Orlando. It coincides with an announcement that Kroger would close three of its delivery fulfillment centers, including a large one in Groveland, Florida.

Kroger closing some of its fulfillment centers

What we know:

In a news release, Kroger confirmed that it was closing three of its fulfillment centers across the nation:

All three are expected to close in January 2026, though a specific date was not revealed, Kroger said, adding that the three centers were not meeting its financial expectations.

In a letter sent to Kroger customers, Kroger said delivery will be ending on Feb. 1 and delivery orders can still be received through Jan. 31.

"The company expects to incur impairment and related charges in the third fiscal quarter of 2025 of approximately $2.6 billion," the company said in a Nov. 18 press release. The automated fulfillment network is not meeting financial expectations, Kroger said.

The closure of these fulfillment centers comes after Kroger announced closing 60 stores nationwide in 18 months. In areas where Kroger sees a "higher density of demand," automated customer fulfillment will continue, the company said.

FOX 35 reached out to Kroger for clarification on the closures and the impact to Central Florida, but did not receive a response to those specific questions.

However, the City of Groveland said in its own release that roughly 1,400 people worked at the fulfillment center there.

City of Groveland: 1,400 jobs lost due to Kroger closure

The city of Groveland said they haven't heard when, in 2026, the facility will close.

"This is an especially difficult time for employees to hear this news and our hearts go out to those affected. There are approximately 1,400 Kroger employees at the facility, many of whom are Groveland residents," the city said in a statement.

Groveland is working with CareerSource Central Florida to support its employment strategy, the city said.

What we don't know:

It's not known how the closing of Groveland's Kroger fulfillment center will impact the delivery of Kroger groceries to Central Florida residents.

Kroger touted its new partnerships with InstaCart and DoorDash. However, Kroger does not have any physical grocery stores in Florida, so it's unclear how that program would work.

FOX 35 reached out for clarification.

Expanding partnership with Instacart, Doordash, more

Kroger will now use Instacart for its primary delivery across Kroger.com and the Kroger app, the company said Nov. 18.

The grocer announced its expanded partnership with Instacart in Nov. 2025, saying it's one of the first retailers to use Instacart's AI Assistant - Cart Assistant – an AI assistant that helps customers find meal inspiration, build carts faster with favorite items, and plan meals more easily.

Additionally, "to reach more customers and fulfill more shopping trips," Kroger said its customers will also have on-demand access to food and grocery essentials through DoorDash Marketplace.

The backstory:

Kroger's Customer Fulfillment Center in Groveland opened in 2021. The center is an automated warehouse facility with digital and robotic capabilities, also known as a "shed."

The Groveland CFC is located at U.S. Highway 27 and American Way and occupies 375,000 square feet.

Kroger CFCs are in partnership with the Ocado Group. Kroger currently has eight CFCs, with two new sites in Charlotte and Phoenix to start in 2026, the Ocado Group said. The company plans to build 20 CFCs nationwide.

Additionally, Kroger's spoke facilities extend the grocer's reach from fulfillment centers to other areas. As of 2022, Kroger delivers groceries to Atlanta, Cincinnati and Dallas, Austin, Birmingham, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Orlando, San Antonio, South Florida, and the Northeast.

What is Kroger's eCommerce?

Kroger looks to multiple third-party delivery services to increase its e-commerce sales growth, projecting an operating profit of approximately $400 million in 2026.

"eCommerce remains a core part of serving customers who want better value, wide selection and flexible ways to shop," said Ron Sargent, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "We are building on a strong foundation with five consecutive quarters of double-digit eCommerce sales growth and increased profitability improvements. We are taking decisive action to make shopping easier, offer faster delivery times, provide more options to our customers, and we expect to deliver profitable sales growth as a result."

The grocer's launched its eCommerce business unit in March.

Kroger's senior vice president and chief information officer, Yael Cosset, serves as the executive vice president and chief digital officer of the eCommerce business unit.

"Every customer is different, and they expect more options to access fresh, affordable food, without compromising on the value or convenience," Yael Cosset said of the opportunity to increase customer traffic and trips through these third-party providers. "Our differentiated approach, combining the proximity of our stores with high-capacity automation, the wide assortment of the fresh food they love, allows us to fulfill more trips for the families we serve. Being able to deliver food and groceries to tens of millions of families who shop with us every year, in as little as 30 minutes is a winning model for Kroger and our customers."

Uber Eats Marketplace + Kroger coming in early 2026

In early 2026, Kroger said it plans to launch a customer experience with Uber Eats Marketplace – adding Kroger to the list of participating grocers – including Costco, Sprouts and Target – associated with Uber Eats Marketplace.

Where are Kroger Customer Fulfillment Center locations?

Kroger, in partnership with the Ocado Group, has eight customer fulfillment centers. Here's where they are:

The Source: Information in this story was sourced from a Kroger Co. Nov. 18 press release.

Kroger closing Groveland automated facility, impacting nearly 1,400 workers

National grocery retailer Kroger Co. announced plans this week to close its eCommerce fulfillment center in Groveland, a move that will lead to the loss of about 1,400 Florida jobs as the company modifies its approach to delivering groceries.The closing will impact about 935 employees at that facility and nearly 500 others, many of them delivery drivers, stationed in Jacksonville, Rockledge and Tampa, according to notices the company filed with the Florida Department of Commerce.“This is an especially difficult time for e...

National grocery retailer Kroger Co. announced plans this week to close its eCommerce fulfillment center in Groveland, a move that will lead to the loss of about 1,400 Florida jobs as the company modifies its approach to delivering groceries.

The closing will impact about 935 employees at that facility and nearly 500 others, many of them delivery drivers, stationed in Jacksonville, Rockledge and Tampa, according to notices the company filed with the Florida Department of Commerce.

“This is an especially difficult time for employees to hear this news, and our hearts go out to those affected,” the City of Groveland wrote in a statement.

The facility is expected to close sometime in January 2026, according to the city. The company’s notices said the workers’ employment will end on Feb. 1.

The Groveland facility, similar to other Kroger fulfillment centers across the country, uses more than 1,000 product retrieval robots that allow customers to order on Kroger.com, or the Kroger app, and have groceries delivered in temperature-controlled vans.

In its announcement, Kroger said it expects the closure of the Groveland facility and two others outside of Florida to have “a positive effect” on its projected eCommerce operating profit of approximately $400 million in 2026. The moves were made in an effort to “drive profitable sales growth,” the company said.

Kroger has strengthened its partnership with online grocery and food delivery firms such as Instacart, DoorDash and UberEats, Reuters reported, reducing the need for its own fulfillment centers.

“The pandemic bump didn’t hold, and shoppers moved back to stores quickly, so the economics of running dedicated ecommerce facilities may no longer make sense,” eMarketer analyst Suzy Davidkhanian told the news agency, adding that Kroger’s partnerships with the online platforms provide it more reach among consumers.

Kroger’s move is the second major Central Florida plant closure announced this month. Frito-Lay announced two weeks ago that it was shuttering two Orlando facilities, eliminating about 500 jobs.

With the closures likely impacting thousands of county residents, Lake County said it will support affected employees by ensuring they “have access to the resources and opportunities they need in the months ahead”.

“The County is prepared to connect affected employees with our partners who provide job-placement services, training programs, and career guidance,” a Lake County spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We remain committed to helping our residents through this transition and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.”

Groveland and Lake County officials were able to lure Kroger to the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Center by offering financial incentives potentially worth more than $3 million in an agreement approved back in 2019.

At the time of its initial foray into Lake County, Kroger was expected to receive about $1.1 million in an incentive package offered by Groveland.

The city offered to pay $431,000 in impact fees, $213,750 in building permit fees — for plan reviews and inspections during construction — and up to $500,000 in job growth incentives.

“The City is still gathering information regarding this matter” and has no “comments at this time,” a Groveland spokesperson said in an email Wednesday when asked about the six-year-old deal. “We will provide updates as more details become available.”

Lake County commissioners also approved a property tax rebate with an anticipated value of about $2 million over 10 years if all stated requirements were met. The rebate came from an estimated $4 million in property tax revenue the center was projected to generate across 10 years, cut short by Tuesday’s announcement.

Kroger agreed to invest $51 million in the fulfillment center and British online grocery company Ocado was set to pitch in $70 million for “robotics and other technology”, bringing the total cost of the facility to $121 million.

Kroger broke ground on the fulfillment center in July 2019 and shipped its first groceries from the facility in 2021. When the center opened, it was projected to operate at full capacity with 400 employees, but the staffing level had more than tripled since then.

Kroger operated stores in the state in the 1980s that were called Florida Choice supermarkets. It also owned part of Lucky’s Market, but divested from that chain before Lucky’s closed all of its Florida stores back in 2020.

Kroger is also closing eCommerce facilities in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin and Frederick, Maryland.

Earlier this year, Kroger and Ocada announced plans to open two more fulfillment centers — one in Charlotte, North Carolina and one in Phoenix, Arizona — in fiscal year 2026.

Kroger facility in Groveland closing; city says 1,400 workers will be impacted

Kroger is pulling out of Central Florida in the new year, representing a loss of hundreds of jobs, mostly in Groveland where one of the soon-to-be-shuttered facilities is located.The city of Groveland was chosen as the site for Kroger’s new Customer Fulfillment Center in March of 2019. It began delivering groceries to customers in June of 2021.But, now, slightly more than four years later, Kroger is closing three of its automated facilities nationwide, including the one in Groveland.The city says the 1,400 employee...

Kroger is pulling out of Central Florida in the new year, representing a loss of hundreds of jobs, mostly in Groveland where one of the soon-to-be-shuttered facilities is located.

The city of Groveland was chosen as the site for Kroger’s new Customer Fulfillment Center in March of 2019. It began delivering groceries to customers in June of 2021.

But, now, slightly more than four years later, Kroger is closing three of its automated facilities nationwide, including the one in Groveland.

The city says the 1,400 employees who work there, many of whom are Groveland residents, will be out of a job when the site closes sometime in January.

In a statement, a city spokesperson said with the holidays upon us, “This is an especially difficult time for employees to hear this news, and our hearts go out to those affected.”

The move was made as the chain aims to improve its e-Commerce profitability.

“Following a comprehensive review, Kroger identified opportunities to optimize its fulfillment network by closing facilities in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; Frederick, Md.; and Groveland, Fla. in January, while monitoring the remaining facilities' performance,” read a statement from Kroger.

Kroger said these changes will bring in a profit of approximately $400 million in 2026 in its e-Commerce division, but the company will incur a loss of $2.6 billion in the third fiscal quarter of 2025 due to these closures.

Kroger said it will continue to operate automated facilities in other parts of the country with a higher “density of demand” and will pilot, “capital-light, store-based automation in high-volume geographies to improve fulfillment capabilities and elevate the in-store customer experience.”

The company will also expand its partnership with Instacart, DoorDash and Uber Eats to reach new customers in as little as 30 minutes.

The city said it is working with Lake County and CareerSource Central Florida to help impacted employees find new job placements. Click here to be connected with CareerSource Central Florida.

You can also call 2-1-1 for employment assistance from Heart of Florida United Way.

Kroger ending Florida home grocery delivery, closing Groveland hub near Orlando; cutting 1,403 jobs

After almost five years, Kroger is ending home delivery of groceries in Florida based on the impending closure of its Groveland hub for the service, eliminating 1,403 jobs statewide, including 181 in Jacksonville.The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati, announced Nov. 18 that it will close five hub fulfillment facilities in January.They are in Groveland, west of Orlando; Frederick, Maryland; Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; Nashville, Tennessee; and Oklahoma City.Jacksonville and two other "spoke" stations also will cl...

After almost five years, Kroger is ending home delivery of groceries in Florida based on the impending closure of its Groveland hub for the service, eliminating 1,403 jobs statewide, including 181 in Jacksonville.

The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati, announced Nov. 18 that it will close five hub fulfillment facilities in January.

They are in Groveland, west of Orlando; Frederick, Maryland; Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; Nashville, Tennessee; and Oklahoma City.

Jacksonville and two other "spoke" stations also will close in Florida.

Northeast Florida customers are receiving letters from Kroger stating, “Kroger Delivery Is Ending in Your Area.”

It says the home delivery service will end Jan. 6, 2026.

The company has no Kroger-branded stores in Florida, but it does own Harris Teeter and is adding to that footprint. Now with one Florida Harris Teeter in Fernandina Beach, the banner announced it will lease a new store to be built in Jacksonville, and there are indications another could open in St. Johns County.

Kroger home grocery delivery in Florida was fed by Groveland, a hub-and-spoke system that included a station in Jacksonville.

A Kroger spokesperson said by email Nov. 18 that Groveland and three more locations will close in Florida, comprising Cocoa Beach, Jacksonville and Tampa.

Kroger notified the state Nov. 18 pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Training Notification Act that it will permanently close the four locations as of Feb. 1, 2026.

The jobs comprise 935 in Groveland; 234 in Tampa; 181 in Jacksonville; and 53 in Cocoa Beach.

The majority, 167, of the Jacksonville jobs are the delivery drivers of the Kroger-branded trucks often seen throughout the area.

In total, 883 of the jobs cut are drivers, comprising about 63% of the layoffs.

The spokesperson said that the Jacksonville delivery service will accept orders through Jan. 5 and the last delivery day is Jan. 6.

The last order days for Cocoa Beach, Groveland and Tampa will be Jan. 30 and the last delivery day will be Jan. 31.

The spokesperson said five fulfillment centers continue to operate, serving areas in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Texas.

Customers order on Kroger.com and the retailer’s app and groceries are delivered in temperature-controlled vans.

Kroger announced June 9, 2021, that it began delivering groceries in Jacksonville.

It said in a news release that the Jacksonville “spoke” location to its Groveland “hub” would employ about 180 employees.

In May 2021, Kroger began building-out a logistics operation in North Jacksonville to deliver fresh groceries.

Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC built-out a 62,208-square-foot space at 1 Imeson Park Blvd., No. 200.

The project was described as a cross-dock for mercantile goods, which means goods are brought in and quickly shipped out to their destination.

The city issued a permit May 11, 2021, for Caddell Construction Co. LLC of Jacksonville to build-out the space at a cost of $205,000.

The fulfillment center was a new concept for Kroger, “where customer orders are picked daily by Fulfillment Center Associates and delivered to customer homes the following day in Kroger refrigerated vans by Deliver Drivers.”

The Orlando Sentinel reported April 14, 2021, that Kroger shipped its first groceries from the Groveland facility directly to customers.

The June 2021 news release said the 375,000-square-foot Groveland operation employed nearly 400 people and could fulfill thousands of orders per day.

Kroger ended home delivery in South Florida in May 2024.

Kroger said in the Nov. 18 news release that it announced “updates to its eCommerce plan, resulting in a differentiated and simplified customer experience, new households shopping at Kroger, and immediate eCommerce profitability improvements.”

“Following a comprehensive review, Kroger identified opportunities to optimize its fulfillment network” by closing the facilities “while monitoring the remaining facilities’ performance.”

Kroger said it expects the updates “to have a positive effect to eCommerce operating profit of approximately $400 million in 2026.”

“This will be used to improve the customer experience through lower prices and better store conditions while also improving operating margins,” it said.

Kroger expects charges in the third quarter of about $2.6 billion due to the closings “and the automated fulfillment network not meeting financial expectations.”

“The company expects these closures to have a neutral effect on its identical sales without fuel,” it said.

Kroger said its hybrid eCommerce offerings will deliver accelerated online growth, “using its strong and growing store footprint, well-established third-party delivery providers, and automated fulfillment facilities where applicable.”

“eCommerce remains a core part of serving customers who want better value, wide selection and flexible ways to shop,” said Ron Sargent, Kroger’s chairman and CEO, in the news release.

“We are building on a strong foundation with five consecutive quarters of double-digit eCommerce sales growth and increased profitability improvements. We are taking decisive action to make shopping easier, offer faster delivery times, provide more options to our customers, and we expect to deliver profitable sales growth as a result.”

Kroger said it expanded its Instacart relationship as its primary delivery fulfillment provider across Kroger.com and the Kroger app.

Kroger also broadened its relationship with DoorDash and announced the upcoming launch of a new customer experience on Uber Eats Marketplace in early 2026.

“In geographies where Kroger sees higher density of demand, the company will continue to take advantage of automated customer fulfillment to increase customer engagement, capacity and improve productivity and profitability.”

Kroger says it operates more than 2,700 stores under about two dozen banner names.

Under the Kroger banner, the company says it has 1,238 grocery stores in 16 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

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