Where Is the Milkman?

The question is: Where is the milkman, now that we really need him? When I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, bread, eggs, and milk were delivered to our family's doorstep twice a week. All of these items were produced locally. The milk came in bottles, which kept the milk fresh longer. You could leave a note with the delivery man to leave extra or a different item if needed the next time. Today, how much time is wasted by women having to run to the store for a quick carton of milk or a new loaf of bread (which often is not fresh even when you buy it)? In some areas of the country, there may be convenience stores available that don't overcharge. In the suburbs of Philadelphia, where I grew up and recently visited, the local dairy, Wawa, has good drive-through convenience stores in all the towns, where you can easily pick up a gallon of milk, bread, and cold cuts at a reasonable price. However, there is no equivalent in Virginia. It may also be possible in some areas to order your groceries online from your local food store and have them delivered, but this is generally too expensive for most families. With the number of women with children having to work (often because they are single), there is a greater need than ever for the milkman, the eggman, and the breadman for customized delivery of these basics.