They’re working nonstop to keep food on our tables. These coronavirus heroes deserve thanks
They drive delivery trucks, stock shelves, sort through produce, clean up spills, make our deli sandwiches, ring up cereal boxes and canned soups and fresh asparagus, never pausing as they politely ask how we’re doing and whether we need a bag.
These are the folks who keep groceries on our tables. Many of us have taken it for granted that they — and their places of business — will always be there for us.
Of course supermarkets will be open! And of course they’ll have everything we need!
But in this weird new normal, can we just pause a moment and appreciate how much goes into keeping us fed? And how tough it is for these essential employees — for that’s truly what they are — to continue coming into work day after day, while most of us shelter in the relative safety of our homes?
The coronavirus pandemic has put many businesses out of work completely, but it’s done the opposite for the grocery industry.
The business has gone bananas; some supermarkets are even hiring in this time of massive layoffs.
Run on groceries
For the past week, the demand for groceries has never been more voracious.
And it’s not just toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Depending on the time of day, basics like eggs and bread and flour may be out of stock.
Take JJ’s Market, located on the Nipomo Mesa.
At one point, inventory that would normally last four days was gone in just four hours.
“It’s record-breaking,” said longtime manager Marty VanBeveren, but he adds that given the circumstances, he can’t feel happy about the volume of sales.
That’s understandable. Decent people don’t want to profit off misfortune.
Still, the entire staffs of JJ’s and Trader Joe’s and Vons and Food-4-Less, and each and every market in SLO County — along with restaurants staying open for takeout and delivery — should feel proud about the incredible job they’re doing.
They are literally making it possible for us to keep food in our fridges and cupboards — at some risk to themselves.
Customer contact
With all of Californa now in lockdown, most of us are staying as far away from strangers as we can. But grocery crews are coming in contact with hundreds of people every day and, depending on their particular job, some workers are handling thousands of items that these strangers have just touched.
One bit of reassurance — the CDC has issued this statement: “There is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures.”
And this from the FDA: “We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging.”
Inside stores, precautions are in place: Stores are sanitizing like crazy, and most checkers are wearing gloves.
Workers we spoke with at a couple of markets and restaurants said they don’t worry much about getting sick themselves. They’re far more concerned about infecting their loved ones at home.
Robert Calhoun, who drives a delivery truck for Saladino’s Food Service, is 61, from South County. His wife is 66 and has asthma and a heart condition.
He’s super careful about sanitizing his hands at work, and when he gets home, he has a routine: boots come off, clothes are placed in a bag to be washed. The work gloves he wears get cleaned with Clorox.
“These gloves, they don’t go in the house,” he said.
Calhoun has been through quarantines before, for small pox and yellow fever.
“I’m worried about the younger generation,” he said. “I’m seeing history repeat itself.”
Ryan Boettner, who works the grocery aisles at California Fresh in Pismo Beach, is worried, too, for his 2-year-old son and his fiance.
He says he tries to keep an arm’s length from customers, while still trying to help them.
Most customers have been appreciative.
But there have been some incidents.
Early on, there were rumors of a fight over a last can of chicken broth at one supermarket.
A few nights ago, a woman tried to walk out of JJ’s with a full cart of groceries — without paying for them.
Boettner said he was trying to pull into a parking space at work recently when he got a “mean look and a finger.”
“It’s been hectic,” he said, “Lots of peope are crazy ... they’re just frantic.”
When customers reach for the last one of a certain item, Boettner suggests they settle things the civilized way: rock, paper, scissors.
No hoarding!
What’s the deal with the empty shelves?
Grocers say it’s more of a distribution issue than a lack of supply.
“The demand for some products has made it a challenge to distribute goods fast enough to restock shelves as quickly as consumers are purchasing them,” the California Grocers Association said in a statement.
In an effort to thwart over-buying by hoarders, markets have put up signs, limiting customers to a certain number of high-demand items, like toilet paper and paper towels. (If they have any left.)
JJ’s has posted signs all around the market, asking customers to follow “common sense limits.”
“On to two items per customer. We are here to serve everyone in our community — family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Stay healthy.”
Well said.
Someday, things will return to normal, and there will be plenty of bread and milk and even toilet paper.
But we have a ways to go before we’re there.
Until then, follow these rules:
Don’t shop if you’re not feeling well.
Check store schedules; many markets have cut their hours, which gives them more time stock depleted shelves.
Senior hours are for seniors. If you’re not a senior, shop later.
Wash your hands before you shop and again after you shop.
Many stores are providing wipes and sanitizer, but to be on the safe side, bring your own (if you have them) to wipe down cart handles.
Don’t forget to keep that social distance.
Avoid touching produce and other items, unless you plan to buy them.
Don’t overbuy!
Limit your trips to one or two a week. That reduces your exposure and can help curb crowds at supermarkets.
And last but never least, thank, thank, thank your grocery workers — the checkers, the produce people, the baggers, the employees rounding up the carts we leave strewn in the parking lot.
Remember, we won’t make it out of this crisis without them.
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
