Where would real people with kids shop for groceries within walking distance of 6th and 39th streets?

What do you mean by "real" people? Gosh, New Yorkers really do have kids and they do shop for groceries just like the rest of the you folks!

There many delis around the area, but I believe the closest NY style supermarket is D'Agostino at 578 3rd Avenue (38th Street)--about half a mile.

I assumed the OP isn't looking for the kind of deli at which Greta Garbo used to shop for cold cuts to make the sandwiches that constituted most of her diet.

That is not a primarily residential neighborhood, but if I lived there (and I am glad I don't!) I would shop at Whole Foods on 7th and 24th.

Greta Garbo shopped mostly for cold cuts at delis for most of her diet?? Where does that information come from??

They shop online and purchase from FreshDirect:

www.freshdirect.com

Right. Or get deliveries from Whole Foods in Chelsea.

That really isn't a residential area - it's primarily offices - so there are no real supermarkets nearby. You need to head to a residential area (3rd & 38th is the closest if you want to create real dinners from scratch). But - if you want just a few things there should be a deli - with a few actual groceries nearby.

Oh - and don;t be surprised by how high prices are. Since the markets pay a much higher rent prices are way more than you find in other parts of the country - or even the suburbs of NYC.

Another idea is to head over to 9th Avenue where there is an Amish Market as well as a number of good specialty shops including one of my favorites, International Foods on 9th and 40th Street.

A few blocks further north on 9th is Amy's Bread. For meat, one of the best markets in Manhattan is Esposito's at 500 9th Avenue at 38th Street. They will deliver with a minimum order (used to be $50).

Well, they all eat at Applebee's and Olive Garden, of course! ;-)

Whatever happened to Balducci's? Where did they move to???

Balducci's is at 14th St and 8th Ave.

Greta Garbo shopped mostly for cold cuts at delis for most of her diet?? Where does that information come from??</>

Observation. She was a neighbor when I lived in NYC. HTTY

International Foods on Ninth Avenue is one of my favorite shops in NYC!

I have a friend who lives one block away ... not residentially friendly ... no convenient grocery stores ..

he orders from www.freshdirect.com

Really??

In what deli did Garbo shop in near her apartment?

For basic snacks, cereals and beverages, Duane Reade (which seem to be on every other block), is convenient.

..Are you thinking about the Southgate Sandwich shop? (I could not remember the name for a few minutes)

Regarding Garbo:

"Twice a week, she purchased groceries at the Nutrition Center, where her typical shopping list included eggs, honey, bran, dried apricots, English muffins, and whole milk. She bought her vegetables and fruit at a produce store on Fifty-third and Second.

According to the proprietor of her favourite produce store, Garbo loved zucchini and artichokes and was “crazy about persimmons.”

Meat was purchased at the Mid-City Food Market or Green Valley Foods on First Avenue. At the Dover Deli, she would buy lox, sturgeon, and Nova Scotia salmon.

More expensive fare was purchased at a gourmet emporium on Madison Avenue or at Nyborg & Nelson, a Swedish deli on Fiftieth and Second."

This information from:
www.garboforever.com/Cooking_and_eating.htm