Keeping the community safe
Dear Food Co-op members,
Here are some updates on what we are doing to keep both the community and staff safe. You can find our updates HERE.
STORE HOURS AND PRIORITY SHOPPING
Starting Tuesday March 24th, we will be shortening our store hours to help our staff stock and deep clean while the store is closed. Our temporary new hours will be 8am-7pm.
We will also be reserving the first hour between 8am-9am for priority shopping of people 60+ or immune compromised. We will see how this goes as we do not want the store to feel more congested due to this.
HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP THE CO-OP HEALTHY
MOST IMPORTANTLY – If you are feeling sick, please stay home and call us for assistance, we can give you some resources.
We have established hand washing stations for all shoppers to wash their hands upon entering the store. If entering from the North there is a Goodman Sanitation portable sink, if entering from the south, you may use the dining room hand sink.
Please consider having only one family representative in the store at a time to limit possible contamination and if you are able. We do LOVE those kiddos but please consider leaving them at home while you shop.
Sanitizing wipes and/or a spray bottle with paper towels will be available for wiping carts before use.
Avoid overbuying so that we all have enough.
KEEPING OUR STAFF SAFE
We are adding tape to the floor to help customers keep a safe distance while checking out. Please adhere to this to make our staff and customers feel safe.
Cashiers have been asked to sanitize the area after each customer, particularly the debit card machine. Again, please allow ample time for our staff to adhere to this policy.
Our staff is also being asked to remain helpful but with social distancing in mind, please be mindful and considerate of this when you are in the store shopping and give them some ‘sweet’ space!.
REUSABLE CONTAINERS/BAGS
At this time, we are discouraging use of reusable containers and totes for now.
If you bring your own reusable totes, you will need to bag your own groceries.
Paper bags and cardboard boxes will be provided by the co-op and can be bagged by a staff member.
Currently, we are NOT accepting or providing any jar savers for reuse.
DELI UPDATE
All hot bar and salad bar items are now pre-packaged.
Cookies and Pastries are now being individually wrapped. We have also taken down the doors to make grab and go of these items easier.
BULK UPDATE
We are implementing some extra precautions in our bulk department. Signs will be up in the department to help guide you.
We are asking that every shopper wash their hands prior to entry.
We are also asking that only four people enter the bulk area at any given time to allow for more social distancing.
DELIVERY AND PICKUP
At this time, we do not have the staff or infrastructure for online ordering and curbside pickup. However, we do have a very kind and helpful community who have stepped up to the challenge.
Businesses have offered to supply these services for those in need, please call them directly if you need assistance.
“Pane d’Amore” - Linda Yakush, Owner - 360.301.5323
“Clean, Clear, and Loved” – Holly Gossett - 360.298.6820 or gossettlightroom@gmail.com - (Delivery on Mondays and Thursdays)
Meal Service - mindfulmealsbyana.com - 339.970.1376
In addition, part of the Community Board has been designated to post information about personal shopping services, so if you are wanting to offer your help, please post your information there.
Finally, our staff is on the front lines during this pandemic and we recognize that this is an even more difficult job today than it was a year ago. Beginning March 22nd, we will be providing extra “hero pay” to all staff for hours worked. At this time, we expect to offer this benefit through April 25th.
Thank you for your continued support of our co-op.
Be well,
Kenna S. Eaton, GM
