The makers of a New Jersey-based commuter app are now helping to make grocery shopping easier for New Jerseyans stuck at home.

Chatham-based BoxCar initially created an app to help commutes find parking spots near public transit. But with no commuting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there isn’t much business.

“We have over 1,500 parking spots and we have zero parkers right now,” says BoxCar founder and CEO Joe Colangelo.

Colangelo says that the company is now switching from parking to produce.

“We have this really flexible technology platform to connect supply with demand. Instead of using that for parking – people don’t need parking near a train station right now. What they need is groceries,” he says.

BoxCar has now teamed up with Garguilo Produce in Hillside. The commercial distributor normally supplies fresh produce to cruise ships, airlines and restaurants – all places that don’t need as many fresh fruits and vegetables as they usually do. Garguilo recently opened its warehouse to local residents for a cash and carry program. BoxCar is expanding on this program.

“What we’ve done is taken their mixed produce boxes and added in eggs and then we are buying in bulk a couple of other items in our boxes to suit the needs of our customers,” Colangelo says.

All the boxes contain the same items – fresh fruits and vegetables and a dozen eggs. Customers can order and pay for the box on the BoxCar app or website. This week the company offered a pickup option in Madison.

“So, for $50 you get a number of fresh things to support you for the next week,” Colangelo says.

This allows the resident to stay in their homes and to stay safe from COVID-19.

BoxCar is doing more pickup days next week in Madison and Cranford. The company is looking for other towns to pair up with for deliveries.