CALIFORNIA’S GROCERY COMMUNITY ASKS CONSUMERS TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THEIR HOLIDAY GROCERY SHOPPING
The holidays might look different this year, but there’s still turkey and ham to carve and your loved ones’ favorite sides to share.
December is traditionally one of the busiest months for the grocery industry. To help keep shoppers and essential workers safe and healthy during this holiday season, California’s grocery community asks consumers to plan ahead, wear a mask and maintain social distancing when visiting their favorite neighborhood store.
To alleviate shopper congestion during the holidays, many grocery stores have expanded e-commerce partnerships and access, hired additional staff members, added cooler and freezer capacity, and expanded private-label offerings.
“We want to encourage Californians to shop early, so that we can avoid over-crowding stores in the run-up to the holidays,” Fong continued.
By preparing well in advance and avoiding last-minute trips to the grocery store, we can minimize lines to enter stores and keep our fellow shoppers and essential worker safe.
Here are CGA’s 10 Holiday Safe Shopping Tips
- Plan your holiday meals at least two weeks in advance. Buy non-perishable items ahead of time.
- Consider online options such as delivery or curbside pick-up.
- Bake in extra time for your visit during the holiday season. Grocery stores will be enforcing state COVID-19 mandates that limit store occupancy.
- Avoid visiting a store during week of Christmas if possible.
- Always wear a mask when inside the grocery store as is mandated in California.
- Keep a distance of two shopping carts between you and your fellow shoppers and grocery store employees. Do not crowd the checkstand.
- Consider shopping during off-peak hours to avoid store crowding. Do not bring extra people to the store if at all possible.
- Treat essential grocery employees with kindness. Be patient as they go about their work including additional cleaning protocols and offer a hearty “thank you” when you can.
- Inspect items with your eyes instead of your hands to limit unnecessary handling of store products.
- Buy only what you need for your holiday meals. There is enough for all.