Online grocers Door to Door Organics, Louisville, Colo., and Relay Foods, Charlottesville, Va., entered into a definitive merger agreement that will deliver an unparalleled online grocery experience to consumers.

The combined company, which plans to operate under a new brand to be disclosed later this year, will leverage each entity's innovative spirit, uncompromising customer service and operational and technological excellence to serve consumers in 63 markets across 18 states and Washington, D.C.

Founded in 2009 by chief executive officer Zach Buckner, Relay Foods helps customers in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and North Carolina make healthier food choices that also support their local communities and the environment. By providing a simple, online ordering system and convenient delivery or pickup options, Relay Foods makes shopping for healthy and sustainable groceries easy for busy families.

"I've long been impressed with the success of Relay Foods and their ability to intertwine smart growth and best-in-class technology with an unwavering commitment to local food, sustainability and the simplification of meal planning," says Chad Arnold, chief executive officer of Door to Door Organics. "Our goal is the same—to inspire, empower and reward consumers to live the healthy, aspirational food lives they envision. By joining forces, we hope to achieve that goal even faster, all while delivering the best online grocery experience possible."

Since its inception in 1997, Door to Door Organics has made millions of deliveries of fresh, high-quality, organic, natural and local food directly to homes and businesses throughout 16 states in the West, Midwest and East Coast. Like Relay Foods, Door to Door Organics maintains more than 200 local farming partners or suppliers.

"Door to Door Organics' lean, scaled approach has enabled them to set the industry standard for strategic expansion and product curation, and to grow an incredible network of customers, producers and suppliers," adds Buckner. "The combination of both companies' logistical expertise, amazing employees and back-end technology—fueled by our shared passion for healthy, fresh, local foods—will no doubt benefit all current and future customers."

Door to Door Organics and Relay Foods will maintain offices in Louisville and Charlottesville, respectively. In addition, Door to Door Organics and Relay Foods will maintain teams in all markets in which they currently operate. And, both companies will continue to operate as separate, customer-facing businesses until the integration is complete and the new brand is announced later this year.