For the time being, grocery shopping can be a little difficult to navigate. With social distancing in place and individuals who are considered to be at-risk in relation to COVID-19, a San Luis Obispo Co-Op is eliminating that challenge by offering curbside pick-up for senior citizens.
The SLO Food Co-Op is primarily based around community. During these uncertain times, the store is making sure no one is left behind when it comes to purchasing groceries.
Zack Shepperd, the store's general manager, says special store hours have been implemented to cater to senior citizens and immune compromised.
"It's for anybody who is high-risk," Shepperd said. "9 a.m. and 10 a.m. we have curbside pick-up for anybody who doesn't want to get out of their car or interact with people at all."
Shepperd says since the special store hours were implemented, the response from the community has been positive.
Becky, the communications coordinator for the co-op says that extra hour reserved for curbside pick-up only has its benefits for employees as well.
"It's less stress for us for us to have a system around the store so we all know what we're doing without the customers that we're trying to give six feet to and all the respect they deserve," Becky said.
For those who want to take part in the curbside pick-up, customers can decide how little or no contact they wish to have with employees.
"Some people will just roll up and out the window say here's my list, here's my credit card, go do my shopping as best you can," Shepperd said. "Some people who like to stay completely separate, they'll just open their trunk and there will be an envelope with their shopping list and their credit card and we'll take that, go do their shopping for them, come back with a box and make sure everything looks good to them and they're on their way."
For shoppers that want to take advantage of the curbside pick-up, having a list and credit card ready to hand over to a store employee is encouraged.
"Come with an open mind, but know exactly what you want, so write down and type it into the computer for us for exactly what you want," Becky said.
Becky also says that if customers are able to, they should shop for beyond just what their own household needs.
"We want to encourage you to shop for your whole family for at least a week, and your neighbors if you can, your folks if you can," Becky said.
Shepperd says that if customers who come to the store to shop during the normal business hours from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and don't feel comfortable going inside the store, employees can still do their shopping for them as long as a list is provided.
During this time, the store is also asking shoppers to leave all reusable bags and bulk jars at home.
Special store hours:
Curbside pick-up: 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Store open for high risk shoppers to enter the store: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: normal business hours
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