How It Works - New Haven Direct Connect

Steve and Cheryl Thomas

CEO / FOUNDER

WHO WE ARE

About NHDC

Hello and welcome to New Haven Direct Connect! We’re a small company owned by me, New Haven, CT native and bonafide Italian food lover, Steve Thomas.

Our mission is simple: To Make People Happy by Bringing Them The Foods They Miss From The Brands They Love in New Haven.

I’m an Italian-American (our original last name was Tommassi), and have lived in the greater New Haven area my entire life. I grew up just north of Fair Haven heights and have very fond memories of the great food and entertainment in New Haven.

Although our name is shortened to Thomas, my wife Cheryl, my three kids and I celebrate all of the Italian traditions, including fish on Christmas Eve and a huge Easter dinner. We have come to expect that our recipes will be made with the same authentic New Haven area ingredients we grew up loving.

I had been reading for years about how difficult it is for New Haveners (and people from the northeast in general), who are used to these high quality foods, to find food of that same quality in their new homes once they relocate. So, I decided to build a business that brings those foods to you.

New Haven Direct Connect. Italian Gourmet and More at Your Door!

How It Works

Foods You Love From The Brands You Miss.

We have partnerships with many famous and beloved New Haven area brands. All these brands are longstanding, local and of top quality- that's how they've developed the great reputation they have. And, we're adding new brands frequently!

We’ll Shop, So You Don’t Have To.

We do all the work for you! We'll pick up fresh products from all of the New Haven brands we work with that you order, package them in a cooled, protected box, and ship them to your doorstep by expedited 2 day delivery!

Quality + Convenience = Value.

We'll be sure you get what you order from us. And, it is our pleasure to offer you access to the brands from New Haven that aren't easy to find on other areas of the country so you can enjoy the foods you remember and love whenever you like!

How It Works

FOODS YOU LOVE FROM THE BRANDS YOU MISS

Here’s How It Works:

Our Packaging Process

Our Shipping Process

Navigate our shop section and select your items to order (there is a $75 minimum order). After adding all of your selections to cart, simply checkout using our fast, secure online shopping experience.
We shop for your items at the beloved New Haven area suppliers we have partnerships with. This typically happens on Mondays and Tuesdays.
We package and ship your items. We use 200 lb corrugate boxes with insulated liners and frozen gel packs like you might see from meal services like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron. During warmer months, we may ship some meats and fresh pastas also frozen to help keep the overall package cold. You’ll find your frozen or chilled items like meats and cheeses in the box inside of the insulated liner toward the bottom, and your dry goods like cookies or jarred antipasto items toward the top, packed so they don’t break. Soda ships in its own specially designed case.

We shop on Mondays and ship on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so you will get your package on Thursday or Friday.

You should expect the frozen gel packs to be partially or completley thawed and there may be some moisture from the gel packs' condensation. That is by design, your products inside the insulated envelope should still be cold to the touch, and you can use them or freeze them if appropriate.
Please note, depending on when we get your order, it may take up to 10 days to receive it- but we will get it to you! We’re just starting out with a small team!
Although we do not directly handle food because all of our products are pre-packaged, we take great care to ensure that packing is done in a clean and careful way.
We ship your product via UPS Second Day Air and will send you a confirmation with tracking number. We do not mark up our shipping or packaging costs. We also don't play games like "Free Shipping", which is never really free because you dramatically over pay for the product in those cases. We prefer to be upfront and honest with our customers.

If you ordered soda, that ships UPS Ground because there is no need for 2-Day shipping. Cases of soda are heavy (32 lbs) and we ship with a flat rate of $23.99/case.
You get your box, open it up and enjoy! Then tell all your friends and family!

WE'RE EXPANDING!

New brands and products added frequently to NHDC

CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR UPDATED PRODUCTS

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BRANDS

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PRODUCTS

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Our company history and facts

I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.