Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, consumer fears of food and supply shortages have caused some people to horde items like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and hand sanitizer. It has also lead to a rush at grocery stores to stock up on food. However local grocers want those in Carroll and Montgomery counties to know they are working hard to keep up with the demand.
Larry Bamberg, manager of Greenlee’s Shoprite in Kilmichael, said fear is not the only thing increasing demand on groceries during the coronavirus crisis.
“People are literally eating three meals a day at home,” Bamberg said. “They are snacking. Instead of making a sandwich, they are cooking because they are bored. Also kids are out of school.”
Bamberg said Greenlee’s is coordinating with its supply warehouse to place their orders.
“I can go online and order certain things I might not have ordered before – certain brands – to make sure we have what people need,” he said. “I am ordering way more than I normally do.”
Bamberg said with items like bread and chips, he may just go with larger suppliers who can deliver what is needed on a regular basis. For other items, the store may be allotted only a certain quantity.
“We get two trucks a week, on Tuesday and Friday, and we are still only getting half of what we order,” Bamberg said.
Bamberg said some items like disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes, and alcohol have been delayed eight to 12 weeks.
“All of those types of items are being funneled to hospitals and clinics,” he said.
To handle the increased number of customers and demand on products, Bamberg said Greenlee’s has added additional employees.
“Every weekday is like a Saturday and every Saturday is like Christmas Eve,” Bamberg said. “It has been some kind of a challenge. It’s been amazing.”
Bamberg said the store has added a pickup service, and that has drawn customers from all around the county.
“A service we are offering is that you can call the store, and tell us what you want, and we will carry the groceries to your car,” Bamberg said. “People are driving to Kilmichael to pick up. I really consider the store to be essential.”
Bamberg said the store is open from 7 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., and the staff is doing all it can to accommodate the customers and their needs.
“If people will just settle down, we will be able to keep up with the demand,” Bamberg said.
Bamberg said during the past few weeks, he has seen both good and bad, but the good far outweighs the bad.
“For every bad experience, I’ve had a dozen good experiences,” Bamberg said. “This is an amazing country, and when this is all over, you will be amazed at how we bounce back.”
Eddie Dodd, manager of SuperValu, echoed Bamberg’s sentiments about the community’s support.
“We have had nothing but 100 percent support from the community, and I can only say thank you,” Dodd said.
Throughout the crisis, people in the community have gone out of their way to show support to the SuperValu staff. Dodd said an individual purchased lunch for the entire staff and another purchased cold drinks for everyone. One customer purchased masks for all of the employees.
“I would like to give a big thank you to everyone in this community,” Dodd said. “The community has been really supportive.”
With demand increasing, Dodd said he feels SuperValu is doing an excellent job providing the needs to sustain the community.
“We have partnered with our SuperValu warehouse in Indianola and that helps,” Dodd said. “We are getting good loads every day.”
Dodd said every morning, the SuperValu warehouse will contact the store managers to determine the needs for each store. Dodd said the warehouse tries to fill the needs of every store, but there are many stores being stocked through the warehouse.
“Groups of stores are working together on a daily basis to make sure every store has what it needs,” Dodd said. “They’ve also started running weekend trucks in some places. So seven days a week we get a truck.”
Dodd said he tries to order each day to fill shelves, meat coolers, produce bins, and dairy cases each day, however, there are limits on some products like toilet paper and cleaning supplies among others due to a shortage from the manufacturer.
Dodd urged customers to purchase enough for a few days or a week and not give in to the urge to stockpile supplies.
“I say get a canteen of water today and you can get another tomorrow,” he said. “We can’t drain the well. If everyone will take the mentality of only getting what they need, then we can fill everyone’s needs.”
Dodd said SuperValu has temporarily adjusted its store hours in an effort to keep the store disinfected and stocked.
