Despite reassurances from the province and grocery store chains that supply chains are intact and food is plentiful in Canada, shoppers have been slow to get the message.
Long lines and cleaned-out shelves at many grocery stores over the past week have led managers to rely on social media to update customers on re-stocking and on new protocols.
“We’re doing our best,” said one Clayton’s employee, who wasn’t able to make time for an interview.
In Madeira Park, IGA storeowner Troy Callewaert urged shoppers not to panic. “There’s lots of groceries,” he said. Prices haven’t been changed. “There’s a high demand of product, obviously, and we’re just trying to put it back on the shelves. The more people hoard certain items, it will deplete that little bit, but we get that back right way,” said Callewaert. “Our stores are fully stocked.”
Stores have also implemented stricter hygiene rules in response to COVID-19. The IGA stores in Gibsons and Wilson Creek have been asking customers to pack their own groceries and have discontinued food sampling as well a shutting down salad bars, olive bars and self-serve soup stations.
At least five grocery stores have also announced special hours for seniors or the immunocompromised.
At IGA Gibsons the special hours will be Wednesdays and Fridays and from 7 to 8 a.m. IGA Wilson Creek will do the same on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting March 17. The Independent Grocer in Sechelt will open at 7 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays to allow an hour for “those over 65 to shop without fear of being exposed to too many people” until 8 a.m. And Claytons in Sechelt will be open from 8 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday for people over 65. At IGA Madeira Park, hours for seniors are between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Some stores, including London Drugs, are putting limits on purchases. “Please know we have implemented limits on items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to make it fair for everyone,” the company said in a Facebook post.
Some grocery stores have also placed limits on certain items to prevent hording. Despite the initial rush following on the weekend, by March 18, Callewaert said things at his grocery store were calming down. “People are kind of realizing … they can grab what they need.”
