Delivering Better for Chicago

In a bold step toward revolutionizing food security and grocery delivery, Veranda has teamed up with Dion’s Chicago Dream to introduce Dream Box—a first-of-its-kind technology—that will transform how fresh groceries reach Chicagoland families. Chief Dreamer Dion Dawson, along with his passionate team at Dion’s Chicago Dream , will guide the launch of Dream Box into the Chicagoland market—combining their fast-growing logistics infrastructure with Veranda’s groundbreaking “Dream Box” technology.

Veranda reimagines grocery delivery by removing the need for delivery windows, offering a seamless, sustainable solution that reduces environmental impact. With Dream Box, customers can receive groceries securely and reliably anytime, day or night, ensuring freshness while eliminating delivery timing constraints. The Dream Box is crafted with sustainability in mind, designed to operate online without Wi-Fi or a plug-in power source, and integrate naturally and flexibly into residential spaces. Veranda was founded by three Canadian technologists, Terry Sweeney, Dr. Joshua Wong, and Nicolas Durish.

Dion Dawson is the Chief Dreamer of Dion’s Chicago Dream, a social entrepreneur, and philanthropic leader championing health equity with an innovative, logistics-focused approach. By stabilizing the supply chain and redefining food distribution, he has drawn global attention. With data-driven operations and a customer-first mindset, Dion ensures that every solution prioritizes the people it is meant to serve—meeting them exactly where they are.

The Dream Box launch in Chicago will serve 50 households in Dion’s Chicago Dream’s existing network, giving its participants a chance to integrate this pioneering technology into their lives. Families will receive their usual food deliveries using the Dream Box, offering feedback to shape future product enhancements. DCD will handle installation, maintenance, and customer care, ensuring each family experiences a smooth, positive transition to this innovative delivery system.

With a shared vision to bridge the gap in food access and equity, Veranda and DCD plan to expand Dream Boxes citywide, creating a model that can be scaled to cities across the U.S.. Veranda will continue to offer operational support and software integration for DCD’s team, enabling further advancements in delivery solutions and strengthening food security in communities. Dion’s leadership in this launch marks a pivotal step in the project’s mission to prove the efficacy of the product, as well as make a positive impact on its first market. DCD’s commitment to delivering on consistent, high nutrition food access aligns seamlessly with Veranda’s mission to make a variety of food options easily accessible in an efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible way for all consumers. “This partnership is about so much more than a box,” Dion said. “It’s about dignity, accessibility, and innovation. There is an opportunity in front of us that is a chance to illuminate last-mile delivery in a way that will impact many generations to come.”