Grocery Store Experiences

Rant about the grocery stores during pandemic. My first complaint on here was about senior time only shopping went when store opened and it was extremely crowded. It was impossible to get through isle 6 feet apart. Contacted store about the issues I saw.  the next week Store  announced they would try one way traffic in isles and limit customers inside at any one time.  Well I did not return to that store but did make a quick trip into same chain different location this week. Still a joke they had not implemented on way traffic which would help in the isle as the isle are only about 6 feet wide anyway. There was no one at the entrance to meter amount of customers entering and exiting. A few of the staff had on mask. majority did not  This is not acceptable  in my book.  Had to run into another store today different chain to pick up items for someone. Another joke this store was not to crowded but most employees not masked, they had sneeze guards installed at registers but problem was they had two registers open right next to each other so in order to pay your back is right next to the other cashier behind you.  Why cant they open registers a distance apart not only 3 registers in store right in a row.  This store does not have self check out so this is the only option.  Come on grocery stores step it up to help keep us safe as many many people still need to go into a grocery store. This is not rocket science grocery store managers why cant the grocery store do their part to help social distance and see that all staff are masked. 

For those with lots of fresh eggs .... remember to keep turning them (something about turning slow down the process of turning bad - I am not sure of the science of it, but it does work).

[QUOTE=FluMom]

Well my powder eggs were too old so just ordered one can.  I don't use many eggs.  So now I have a lot of old eggs and milk alternate to throw out.  Oh, well I just missed the Pandemic by 7 years for some of my food to be "good"...LOL!  Oh well!

how long can you store powdered eggs how do you know when they are too old to use? Thanks

Well my powder eggs were too old so just ordered one can.  I don't use many eggs.  So now I have a lot of old eggs and milk alternate to throw out.  Oh, well I just missed the Pandemic by 7 years for some of my food to be "good"...LOL!  Oh well!

Penham wrote: Well I was thinking about going to the store another time for fresh milk since this looks like it's going to last a lot longer than originally thought. But changed my mind when I listened/watched the emergency city council meeting of the larger town near mine (my town is pop. 1200). They were saying our area was not going to peak until about April 21,22, about a week behind NY. That between now and then we should only go out for essentials/food and think twice if you really need it. Because right now you put yourself at a risk of dying.

I decided yesterday to break into my powdered milk stocks instead of going out for fresh over the next month.  Same with eggs.  I'll use the powdered eggs I store for just such emergencies.   I'll just have to live without fresh fruit and veg and eat canned.  (which I hate!!!)  I think your decision is a wise one, Penham.  Stay safe and healthy!

Well I was thinking about going to the store another time for fresh milk since this looks like it's going to last a lot longer than originally thought. But changed my mind when I listened/watched the emergency city council meeting of the larger town near mine (my town is pop. 1200). They were saying our area was not going to peak until about April 21,22, about a week behind NY. That between now and then we should only go out for essentials/food and think twice if you really need it. Because right now you put yourself at a risk of dying. 

Easier said than done in some places.  

ventured out to grocery store this week during the senior high risk set aside time. Thinking this would be the best time,  NOT. It was very crowded. More crowded than it  would have been  during normal business daytime hours pre covid 19.  YOu could not stay 6 feet apart as the store isle are not wide enough for you to even pass. and it was like always multiple people in each isle. It was extremely stressful just trying to shop.  The store did have cashier sneeze guards in place and "wait here signs" on the floor at register.  Announcement were made to maintain 6 feet away or two grocery carts lengths apart from each other but that is a joke when the isles are not wide enough. 

My friends help us and we them.  Even without this bug, we aid one another all the time.  

You are so right!  My preps are mostly aiding Myself, Eirinn and Hubby at the moment, but the rescources are there for many more.

Surviving is easier as a group - physically and mentaly!

WitchMisspelled wrote: I can't hoosiermom.  I had a mild stroke about three years ago that left me with severe balance issues (thank heaven cognitive skills were completely untouched!) I can't carry anything over 10lbs or push anything too heavy (like a rolling cart) without becoming a fall risk.  I took my nifty dandy rollator that gives me a lot of freedom for shopping.  I can carry bags on the seat, off the handle bars...  But the two heaviest items totaling 15 lbs with the other things was just too much for me.  Its okay.  I have 15lbs of flour in stores.  I thought I'd pick some up because my upstairs neighbor is a GREAT buy who helps me out with some things will receive regular care packages of home-made bread and rolls now that we're all home.   Not sure why I picked up kitty litter.  I have five months stash at home already.  There's always Chewy!

Good neighbors are such a blessing! So Thankful you have such wonderful ones. Wish you lived closer I would absolutely help you with heavy loads or whatever. Take care! 

I can't hoosiermom.  I had a mild stroke about three years ago that left me with severe balance issues (thank heaven cognitive skills were completely untouched!) I can't carry anything over 10lbs or push anything too heavy (like a rolling cart) without becoming a fall risk.  I took my nifty dandy rollator that gives me a lot of freedom for shopping.  I can carry bags on the seat, off the handle bars...  But the two heaviest items totaling 15 lbs with the other things was just too much for me.  Its okay.  I have 15lbs of flour in stores.  I thought I'd pick some up because my upstairs neighbor is a GREAT buy who helps me out with some things will receive regular care packages of home-made bread and rolls now that we're all home.  

Not sure why I picked up kitty litter.  I have five months stash at home already.  There's always Chewy!  

Yep, I bet police will be needed in a lot of spots now.

My online grocery delivery service cancelled my order yesterday because so many of the items I requested were out of stock.

I decided to hazard to the local grocer this morning and take out some extra cash, just in case. I'm glad I did considering the "pause" was announced after I got back. The only thing they were pointedly out of was bread. There was one lone sad looking bag of tortillas on one shelf.

Meat was picked over, but I was able to pick up a few pounds of ground sirloin and everything else on my list.  Because they were low on staff there were no deliveries, so I put back the bag of flour and kitty litter.  I just couldn't carry it.   But the store had pasta, rice, canned soups and veg.  The canned meats section was well picked over, but there were a few items left.  Cake, brownie and muffin mixes were lacking, but there was still some there.  Their freezer section was full.  They still had paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper.  Their produce section looked strangely untouched.  I guess people are forgoing fresh fruit and veg and going for non-perishables.  

Edwin, get her some pills on the internet. Not necessarily these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Best-Naturals-Natural-Lactase-Enzyme-3000-FCC-ALU-180-Tablets/173545718328?epid=23023553094&hash=item2868218238:g:uUQAAOSwZJJbo6ET#

or drops

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colief-Infant-Drops-15ml-Lactase-Enzyme-Drops-for-Baby-Calming-Colic-Relief/133340334639?epid=19033520041&hash=item1f0bb40a2f:g:48wAAOSwdi5eT6SA also not necessarily this version.

That is what I do for hubby.  (Also intolerant)  I keep the drops in my kitchen and put a few in things like butter and cheese before cooking.  Then he just eats with the rest of us.

Rumour has it that our local food shop (only one on the island) will close its doors next week, and go to internet shopping.  

I had a look at the range of goods offered by the shop for internet shopping and they are extremely limited.  For example the wife is lactose intolerant and only one kind of standard milk is being offered which will produce explosive stomach problems for her (we have some powdered milk, but not enough).  

It will be interesting at how our eating habits will have to change  

I went into a store BCF, which stands for boating, camping, fishing, in OZ. One staff member came up to greet me and was standing next to me. I noticed her weezing. I said you don't sound well as i stepped back. She said yes I have a chest infection. She says don't worry its not corona. While stepping back further i asked when was she tested... She said no i haven't been tested, but its not corona.  Okay... literally drop items and leaving the scene. 

I could see her face as i left. She was upset. like i didn't believe her..

As i walked out the store i noticed another woman sweeping the floor. She was sick a hell. Very obviously sick. She was blocking my path. What do i do???    Pac-Man! No power pellets in sight! Damn!  Exit ASAP

They all watched me zig zag out the store. Probably laughing...

Not a grocery experience except in the fleeting thought that I "might" stop in a store when I went out today.....didn't happen...

I dropped off a couple of bags of provisions on my son's porch this morning. His wife is at home working, she is a therapist and is doing all of her appointments online now (telemedicine) but son is still working in his shop he runs. He is doing contact less delivery now, they lock the doors, customers call in, then they fill the order and put it outside, they tell customer to go sit in their truck (mostly trucks and vans) and then get out and get the stuff after they go back inside. He loves it..lol...he runs a building contractor supply store - so its all contracts with companies, not the general public.


Was my first time driving in the car since last Friday. Saw people walking and jogging alone, saw one person walking with a mask on. Others walking dogs. A couple of ladies walking together but they seemed to be apart some distance between them.

I was seriously too chicken to stop anywhere...1) I dont really need anything and 2) I couldn't help but think that the store would have coughers that would freak me out, or any food places...the virus could be on cups or the wrapper or whatever. I'm just not going to chance it.

Got a huge Amazon order in today too...unpacked everything outside with gloves that I changed frequently, then I clorox wiped all the surfaces of the products  and threw the boxes over my fence until trash day. 

Don’t forget that this situation is extremely fluid. The stores will begin to have trouble restocking the shelves when enough of the workforce faces mandatory SIPs and food production, packaging and delivery become an issue.

Pandemic wrote: Another story emerged of an elderly gentlemen in London, in a supermarket. A younger person told him that he didn't need food because he, Quote, ' would probably die of Coronavirus' unquote😥

That younger person needs a kick in the a$$ - with a steel toed boot at full force!  How ignorant can you get... Hoping the gentleman has family or a neighbor or someone who can help him so less likely to get exposed!!! A holes, sorry - but that type of ignorance burns my tail feathers!!! 

Newbie1A wrote: Pandemic, it's funny you'd say that about wastage.  I was talking to a grocery store manager and she said that she couldn't believe how much they'd sold, that trucks hadn't been able to come in in 2 days (no one at loading docks to load to get truck on road???!!!) and people had already been being rude (downright ignorant) demanding product...in polite quaint lil old Canada!  She commented that some of the ones she'd watched grabbing produce etc - that there was no way they could eat it all before spoiling and it would just be wasted.  She looked 'smooth on the surface' but you could tell nerves were wearing thin talking to her - I feel sorry for all working direct with public right now (esp retail), not just due to the fact they are at much higher risk of catching this, but also because they have to put up with peoples bs 'entitlement' issues.   I tend to say it like I see it - glad I wasn't there when she was getting swore at etc, I would have likely put a foot into it all, and opened my mouth.  Any & every time I've dealt with her she's been a nice lady, very professional and doesn't deserve that. Oh and on another side note - a Walmart that opened at 9 am was 'sold out' of TP by 9:05 according to a sign on door, and some one I know who stocks shelves at WM said both the last 2 nights loads arriving smaller then expected (much smaller!).

the main supermarkets are rationing products now. Still the trolleys arrive enmass. I'm hearing now that there's a run on freezers at some stores in UK...I mean, where does it end✨♥

My son went to the local Meijer store early this morning. NO rice of any kind. NO meat except for  6 packages of  chicken thighs, NO Sambucol except for a few packages of the tablets. NO salted butter. NO pasta except for Rotini. NO canned meat or tuna. But they had oysters and crab.

Shelves were all half emptied of  other foods. He found 6 cases of his favorite water, so he got 2..the limit... He bought the last 2 jars of peanut butter. They are real low on flour and sugar.

 The store was open 24/7 and will now be open 8am - 10 pm. 7-8 am for seniors only  on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

I saw an ugly scene on YouTube at a supermarket in London. At opening time, an army of trolleys trying to rush through a narrow doorway. I mean it was chaos. Screaming, shouting, pushing. No thought to social distancing. I mean it was chaotic shere ignorance on a selfishness level beyond reasoning of the herd  mentality😥

ME163 this is why we all have been prepping for all these years...IT'S SHOW TIME!   We all knew the grocery stores would be empty and people running around like mice trying to protect their very vulnerable families.  Sorry, I told you so to so many friends and family who are now without.  Why I planned with rice and beans and plastic bags to put out if they need food.  Packed all that in mylar tubs with O2 absorbers 10 years ago.