Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #3

[margarita25]

Good so far. This batch got a bit spicy which helps limit the amount I put on anything. I agree it does help mix things up a bit as far as flavor.

I thought about your homemade salsa several times lol.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

A few weeks ago I went for my produce pick up and they said they had milk. Did I want extra? I'm thinking an extra gallon so I said yes. They gave me 4 gallons of milk!! I gave it all away. I can't even get thru 1 gallon in 2 weeks unless I'm making pies.

I remember when a Super Target opened near us in TN, they had turkey breast, about 6-7 lbs each for $0.79/lb regularly. I would buy 4, put them in my big freezer in the basement. Every other month, I would put one on my rotisserie. We'd have Tday dinner with whatever the garden happened to be producing on the first night. Then the leftovers for a day or two. Any left over turkey was made into a pot pie, quesadillas, sandwiches, etc. I could feed the 4 of us for a week on one bird.

Keep in mind something that I learned from this thread. That you can freeze milk. I never knew. I followed the directions, put 2/3 full in empty PowerAde 28 oz bottles in the freezer. Tastes good as fresh!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Keep in mind something that I learned from this thread. That you can freeze milk. I never knew. I followed the directions, put 2/3 full in empty PowerAde 28 oz bottles in the freezer. Tastes good as fresh!

Yes I have some frozen but no more room. The grocery pick up on Tuesday will include a turkey. I’ve got to figure out how I can get that in there.

My little chest freezer is 5 cf and it is normally fine for just me. However, I’ve been preserving way more food this year. I’ve been keeping my frequently used items in my side by side freezer. I am going to organize it this weekend. Maybe take some of my frozen marinara out of the chest freezer to make room.

 

[mickey2942]

I am really wondering about the safety of grocery shopping now. Seriously.

 

[LadyL]

I am really wondering about the safety of grocery shopping now. Seriously.

yep
as my husband just texted me "we're screwed"
that pretty much sums up 2020

 

[mickey2942]

yep
as my husband just texted me "we're screwed"
that pretty much sums up 2020

I went shopping tonight, there were people there who were not wearing masks, or wearing them incorrectly. I stocked up tonight for a few weeks.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Seeing lists of all that are closing on T'giving Day... I know WalMart decided way back in July, but not on this list.

 

[Laughing]

My family lives in New Mexico.


All non-essential businesses are closed -- hospitals are at capacity.

Scary times!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I am really wondering about the safety of grocery shopping now. Seriously.

With the holidays just around the corner, stores are likely to be busy despite the pandemic. Now that Michigan Governor Whitmer has decided that restaurants will close to indoor dining until December 8, many folks who would have gone out for Thanksgiving dinner and/or over the holiday weekend will either be picking up their turkey dinner or cooking it themselves. When DH and I have hosted Thanksgiving in our home, I try to have everything I need by Monday before Turkey Day. Nino's is simply too crowded on Tuesday, and Wednesday is often worse because people are picking up fresh turkeys at the last minute. We are not hosting anyone here this year, but I plan to cook a simple Thanksgiving meal that DH will deliver to my brothers during half-time of the football game.

This Friday is supposed to be sunny and warm, and we thought it would be the perfect day to get our outdoor holiday greens. Our subdivision entrance has already been decorated, so it's not too early for our wreaths. We will also get most of our Thanksgiving necessities on Friday. I really don't want to be in a crowded grocery store in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. My sister will be disappointed that local family won't be gathering for the holiday that she planned to host this year, but given the current circumstances in our state, it is best for everyone to stay home and stay well. Her adult children live closer to her than we do, so maybe they can still do Thanksgiving together.

 

[PayrollNerd]

The mother of one of my best friends is very ill from cancer and will not likely make it to the end of the year. My friend was texting me this morning about making Tday dinner for their family (her parents, her and 2 kids). She wants to make the meal exactly like her mom did, while her mom is still here. She has been isolating, working from home and has been the caretaker for them for months.

I was explaining to her that she needed to shop now. Items are selling out and are limited again. I offered to make a few side dishes for her because I know she is worn slap out. I wish I could help her but even generosity is dangerous this year!!!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Grocery stores cap more customer purchases as lockdowns loom

Kroger, Wegmans and Publix are just some of the stores that have started to limit in-store and online purchases of toilet paper, cleaning supplies and paper towels.

As coronavirus cases top daily records and city and state lockdowns come into effect, grocery stores are taking new steps to avoid the empty shelves that were the hallmark of the first weeks of the pandemic.

Supermarket chains like Kroger, Publix, and H-E-B have started to limit in-store and online purchases on products such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies and paper towels to reduce stress on supply chains.


“What we are trying to do is to make sure that we don’t have hoarding," Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B Food and Drug, told NBC News’ Jo Ling Kent in an interview. “One of the things that we found in particular with the recent run on paper goods is that we want to be able to spread it as far as we can, amongst as many shoppers as possible.”...

 

[PayrollNerd]

Grocery stores cap more customer purchases as lockdowns loom

Kroger, Wegmans and Publix are just some of the stores that have started to limit in-store and online purchases of toilet paper, cleaning supplies and paper towels.

As coronavirus cases top daily records and city and state lockdowns come into effect, grocery stores are taking new steps to avoid the empty shelves that were the hallmark of the first weeks of the pandemic.

Supermarket chains like Kroger, Publix, and H-E-B have started to limit in-store and online purchases on products such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies and paper towels to reduce stress on supply chains.


“What we are trying to do is to make sure that we don’t have hoarding," Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B Food and Drug, told NBC News’ Jo Ling Kent in an interview. “One of the things that we found in particular with the recent run on paper goods is that we want to be able to spread it as far as we can, amongst as many shoppers as possible.”...

The Dollar General here has a lot of paper products. I walked thru but didn’t buy anything. I didn’t want to wait in line for 1 thing so I left.

 

[Rose in SC]

Seeing lists of all that are closing on T'giving Day... I know WalMart decided way back in July, but not on this list.

View attachment 271802

They must have updated the list since you posted it, because I see Walmart as the 10th store down in the first column. Just a pet peeve of OCD me, I wish they would put lists like this in alphabetical order.

I noticed a sign on the door of our local Dollar Tree that they would be open until 4pm on Thanksgiving Day.

Another store that is traditionally closed on Thanksgiving Day (at least for the last couple of years) is REI, the big outdoor and camping store. I only know that because my husband backpacks, bikes, hikes and could probably open his own REI outlet with all the stuff he's bought from there.

 

[ilovewings]

With the holidays just around the corner, stores are likely to be busy despite the pandemic. Now that Michigan Governor Whitmer has decided that restaurants will close to indoor dining until December 8, many folks who would have gone out for Thanksgiving dinner and/or over the holiday weekend will either be picking up their turkey dinner or cooking it themselves. When DH and I have hosted Thanksgiving in our home, I try to have everything I need by Monday before Turkey Day. Nino's is simply too crowded on Tuesday, and Wednesday is often worse because people are picking up fresh turkeys at the last minute. We are not hosting anyone here this year, but I plan to cook a simple Thanksgiving meal that DH will deliver to my brothers during half-time of the football game.

This Friday is supposed to be sunny and warm, and we thought it would be the perfect day to get our outdoor holiday greens. Our subdivision entrance has already been decorated, so it's not too early for our wreaths. We will also get most of our Thanksgiving necessities on Friday. I really don't want to be in a crowded grocery store in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. My sister will be disappointed that local family won't be gathering for the holiday that she planned to host this year, but given the current circumstances in our state, it is best for everyone to stay home and stay well. Her adult children live closer to her than we do, so maybe they can still do Thanksgiving together.

We are thinking of getting a fresh turkey--do you know how many days a fresh turkey
can be storec in the fridge? you make a good point- i think we will get everything
we need for the dinner by saturday

 

[Sillybilly]

Just a reminder to compare prices when ordering online. I was searching Bed Bath & Beyond for Torani Hazelnut Coffee syrup. It was $12.99 for 750 ml. As the store is a bit distant from me, I thought I'd check Amazon Canada because I have Prime. Price on Amazon for the same size ?

$29.99

as billy toodles off to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy 2, LOL

In another instance, BBB shows wax melts for $3.99 ... while the image they show has a BBB sticker on it for $2.99

 

[ilovewings]

Just a reminder to compare prices when ordering online. I was searching Bed Bath & Beyond for Torani Hazelnut Coffee syrup. It was $12.99 for 750 ml. As the store is a bit distant from me, I thought I'd check Amazon Canada because I have Prime. Price on Amazon for the same size ?

$29.99

as billy toodles off to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy 2, LOL

In another instance, BBB shows wax melts for $3.99 ... while the image they show has a BBB sticker on it for $2.99

Amazon is really expensive on some items--it is quite surprising

 

[JrzyGirl70]

We are thinking of getting a fresh turkey--do you know how many days a fresh turkey
can be storec in the fridge? you make a good point- i think we will get everything
we need for the dinner by saturday

@ilovewings - 2 days is the max I would keep your fresh turkey in the refrigerator. Keep it in the bottom shelf on a cookie sheet or in a pan to catch any juices that will come out.

Here is some more info for everyone that I give out to my customers this time of year:
Let's Talk Turkey

 

[margarita25]

From the discussion thread:

COVID-19: Supermarkets most common exposure setting for catching coronavirus in England, latest data suggests

Supermarkets are the most frequent common exposure setting for those catching COVID-19 in England, new data suggests.

Public Health England (PHE) collated the data using the NHS Test and Trace app.

By analysing the contacts and retracing the steps of the 128,808 people who'd reported they had tested positive between 9 November and 15 November, PHE has uncovered where transmission is likely to be happening.

During the increased national restrictions in England, supermarkets have remained open for shoppers. The new data set suggests they are now the primary setting where the disease is being transmitted.

The Coronavirus Is Airborne Indoors. Why Are We Still Scrubbing Surfaces?

This article questions why are we worried about surfaces when the virus is spread through aerosol

Virions exuded by multiple people linger in grocery stores, particularly in the refrigerated sections. The loading dock areas of grocery stores are often hosting the virions of several different people - and the workers get infected. Many are young and asymptomatic, and work in various parts of the store.

Virions exit the human's body at 100,000 per breath, approximately. If a person is in an aisle for 10 minutes and in the next aisle for 5 minutes, they've left quite a few virions - and they definitely can linger at about face level for several hours.

Think what it's like when positivity rates go up (as in North Dakota and South Dakota) and 1 out of 3 people shopping are all positive for COVID, but either asymptomatic or with mild cold symptoms...

Anyway, grocery stores tend to be kept cooler (and therefore less moist) which means that the molecules of water that coronavirus uses to move around are smaller and lighter - they stay aloft far longer.

Whereas, an outdoor market would have more humidity (usually) and also a breeze.

If everybody in the supermarket is masked, doesn't that pretty much protect people in the supermarket-- maybe not 100%, but I would imagine the viral load would be much less-- I will have to assume that most of those people who may have contracted the virus at the supermarket were not wearing masks. To the best of my recall this study was in the U.K. do they not wear masks when they go to the supermarket in the UK?

Thanks for posting, I have been waiting for more definitive reports on this, and this is something that I have been saying from the beginning. As I’ve mentioned previously, it was apparent to me that this was happening, especially during lockdowns when people were still getting infected, despite working from home, etc. Some of these people, the only place they were going was the grocery store. To each his own, but this is why I have only done grocery delivery since March. There have been infinite outbreaks at grocery stores as well, some of which I’ve posted.

I’ve noticed many people in my circle don’t do grocery delivery, especially some who are elderly, because they may not be tech savvy and may feel intimidated, impatient, and/or may find it mildly inconvenient to have to schedule a time or not get exactly all the items they want all the time.

I have read some reports about people not respecting distancing in grocery stores, not wearing masks, etc.

To those who haven’t hopped on the grocery delivery chain yet, now is the time. If anyone needs help getting started, please message me bc I can very confidently call myself an expert in this regard and can help offer many tips to make the process easier.

To me it comes down to this - it is simply not worth the risk, especially when you have a clear way to avoid it via delivery. There are many grocery outlets which now deliver, and one can even have dry goods shipped directly via Kroger, Target, etc., and even some of the manufacturers themselves. Yes, it does require time and patience.

I have a whole system once the items arrive, which if I were to describe may sound overboard to some, but that’s fine because I have peace of mind and am not taking any chances.

It does. Masks reduce the virions being expelled tremendously. Even those paper surgical masks do a good job.

My daughters tell me that currently mask compliance is near 100% at grocery stores (3 months ago, it was still only 50/50 but the message finally got across and stores started truly enforcing the rules).

Grocery store workers, even masked, have been getting COVID at higher rates than other occupations here in my county, but in speaking with a couple of them online (students of mine), I found out that they often go in the back of the store and unmask for a while (I strongly suspect this is the problem). Truck drivers are also vectors here, and of course, the area in the back of a grocery store is often refrigerated or at least air conditioned.

My cousin has worked for years as the night manager of a big grocery warehouse serving many grocery store chains (in Colorado). He got Covid in June, was very sick, in hospital for almost a month, and is still not well but is back at work. His only pre-existing condition was age (69, turned 70 after contracting COVID). Fit, active 70 year old. He was in and out of the refrigerated trucks and in the refrigerated warehouse for hours every day. Several of his coworkers got COVID as well.

I agree that many don’t use grocery delivery for a variety of reasons. Another reason is the added expense of Instacart. To us, it’s worth it, but to others it may be too much. We have friends who place their order online at the same store we use and pick it up curbside. We’re too lazy to drive 30 minutes round trip to do that! But I’m sure it saves them money.

With Instacart, you have to stay by your computer to respond to your shopper’s questions or substitutions. So that may be confusing for some. I try to enter the alternatives I’ll accept in my order so that cuts down on questions, but there is still some texting back and forth. I have a friend who is 80 who could never make quick decisions like this and she is extremely picky about her produce selections, so she and her immune-compromised husband shop several times a week at our local natural food co-op.

In our rural area of southern Oregon, I’ve never had a problem scheduling a shopper immediately, and we usually receive our groceries within 2 hours. But I’m sure it’s different in urban areas. For the most part, we have had excellent shoppers who have made very few mistakes.

We have used Instacart since March, thanks to WS members posting about it, and I’m not sure we will ever go back to shopping for ourselves, even when it’s safe. The shopping burden falls on my husband because of my limitations and it had gotten to be almost too much before Covid.

I have some theories I’ve been tossing around wrt viral load in grocery stores. I’ll see if I can find the posts. In a nutshell, yes, people are wearing masks and that reduces viral load; however, and IANAD, it’s possible IMO that there could be possibly be concentrated viral loads in the air simply because you have more people infected these days - with there being more infected people in communities, some likely asymptomatic and presymptomatic, in an indoor space...

Again, how many of these people are wearing a crappy gaiter, or have their masks exposing their noses, or have kids who naturally may not be keeping their masks on, etc. I also anticipate potentially high surface contamination since droplets “drop” and I would imagine a lot of people are touching things, though, as we know the risk of surface transmission may not be that high.

It’s all “up in the air“, imo, (literally lol), but my opinion is grocery stores are just not the place to be right now. And neither are pharmacies, which is another place I see a lot of people frequenting. Of course some may have to go get their flu shots there, but I’m talking about regular visits, going in to get things when some of the things you could get online.

eta
Which reminds me, where are we with “nose vs. mouth” droplets..

Thank you for going into details about Instacart. I was using it occasionally before CoVid because I just had no time to go through a store (everything is so crowded here, and some stores are not in areas I consider safe).

I now understand that I have to be at my computer while they shop. I take the time to go through and choose substitutes or say "no substitute" if I really want a particular item. It's gotten to feel a bit like going to Vegas - sometimes I get lucky!

All the shoppers wear masks (in the store and at our door).

It is more expensive, but we decided that since we're not commuting, we'd apply our gas money toward groceries. I comparison shop at Amazon as well. We have changed our entire way of eating (we do not do takeout any more). DH is doing an elimination diet for food allergies, so we eat the same things over and over.

So...we stock up on some things that really work for us, and I can go three weeks between deliveries. I joined the Instacart program so I get ⅔ off the service fee (something like that) and there's no "delivery fee." I do tip as well as we can afford to.

I walked by our neighborhood grocery store just last week - mask compliance looked to be about 50% with no attempt to get people to mask up (I'd have to drive to a "better" part of town to get into a store with more compliance).

I’d like to pick up this conversation in the grocery shopping thread.

Yes Instacart does cost more money. I have the annual membership which provides reduced delivery fees.

I have a lot of feedback, you don’t necessarily have to be on the computer/phone. There is a comments section under each item, you can select your substitute options...

In a nutshell, I’m only using Instacart for items I can’t get through Whole Foods/Amazon Prime, for example certain dry or paper products. There is no beating the efficiency of Prime. I also saw here via a link that Whole Foods also got the award for cleanliness/safety practices. And while Whole Foods has been referred to “Whole Paycheck” for many years, I have found insane deals lately and find many things to be surprisingly much cheaper than at some of the other grocery stores. I’m guessing they, WF, are able to be more competitive with their prices now bc of Amazon.

Link to continue conversation in Grocery thread:
Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #3

I would imagine that grocery store aisles keep the virus droplets contained - inhibits them from wafting away. The high shelves are basically like walls on both sides.

Hi @ilovewings, it seems I duplicated posted the same article. Anyway, ftr, the jury is still out on surface transmission IMO. Even if the risk is low, it seems it has not been ruled out. I recall old reports, one out of Germany, “Pass the salt”...sure new information is being learned, but again until we see zero risk of surface transmission I am taking zero chances. I am of course noting and studying this most recent article, especially re: the SARS part.

This is why hand hygiene is such an integral part of all this. And considering all the fuss about masks, who knows how many people could care less about having clean hands...The way I look at it, why take any chances, especially for such a minor thing such as letting your packages or dry items sit, transferring your pizza into the oven or pan, disposing of the box immediately so it has no opportunity to cross contaminate unnecessarily. I personally have moved on to frozen pizzas only, sadly, but the one time my nice neighbors sent me a pizza as a gift that’s what I did. My frozen pizzas go stacked in the wrapping only, as the boxes are immediately disposed of.

Here’s another thing, a lot of people say they have NO IDEA how they got the virus. I seem to be hearing that more and more these days. Again, we know immaculate conception doesn’t exist here, so...

We have known from the very beginning that this virus is highly contagious, and we also know from several reports that the level of contagiousness has increased within the new mutations...

My point is, EVEN IF surface transmission were to occur, it would be hard to determine the specific source of this specifically unless one is very consciously aware of everything single thing they touch and have touched within the previous days. So, if it is occurring, it may be hard to “pinpoint“, or “prove“, therefore possibly making studies and results on the subject of surface transmission difficult.

Re: the pizza box thing, it’s all too deep for me atm , which is why I haven’t commented yet.

Again, IANAD (which I much prefer to typing IANAL, which I obviously am though from this post haha)

—

Eta: Speaking of boxes/packages, I think this is something people need to be aware of: there seems to be a lot of package stealing going on. Can provide references shortly. My point is know with all this “letting a package sit“ business, which again is JMO because I am on the most extreme side of the spectrum one can be when it comes to cleaning surfaces, that there seems to be a not so uncommon occurrence of doorway package stealing, and I’ll provide some examples.

So, due to the package security issue, what I do is, with disposable gloves on, I open the box at the doorway with a screwdriver I have by the door, remove the contents (with a clean hand glove lol) and put them inside in the hallway right by the door. If it’s something that has been shipped by say, Prime, and arrives the next day, imo inside contents could have been directly handled and while the viral load may be very low, it could still exist. The empty external packaging stays at the doorway outside so I don’t have to dirty my floor or counter or handle it any further at that moment. And I have a trash area by the door for gloves, etc. Then the next day or next few days I can bring the boxes over to recycling.

This seems like an opportune time to bump @Herat ‘s “honk the horn and use tongs” instructions for handling packages

Yes! Exactly.

I started out doing the spray it and leave it method. Can of Lysol at the front door.
(Southern Hospitality Covid style)

I am very sensitive to aerosols, Lysol, chemicals, so I have a diluted bleach water bucket assembly line thing going in the hallway for cold items that have to come in immediately. I made the mistake very early on of getting bleach water inside my frozen vegetables, so everything varies on the type of packaging or surface as to how I approach it. Paper wrapped meat immediately goes into a container or ziplock and paper thrown away. Frozen vegetables get transferred into a ziplock. Beer cans go right in the bleach bucket, carried to the sink, rinsed and put away. This is also efficient for items which are completely airsealed in plastic like cheese blocks. I may also wash it with soap or transfer packaging. You don’t need a lot bleach for the bleach bucket which is good, a dilution with some water, and you’re good to go. One bucket can take care of multiple items as well, as opposed to using wipes, which I can’t say I’ve seen since March anyway. And next to the bleach bucket is one kitty litter sized tray where the clean items go, I carry them into the kitchen. I may even wipe down/rinse again to get the bleach chemical off the package before I put it away. Very often I transfer the contents into my own packaging if it does not compromise freshness. And this way it’s not a big deal if I accidentally touch my face. Dry goods stay at the door and get put away a few days later.

Are all these extreme measures? Absolutely. But it makes being in my kitchen, cooking and handling items much more comfortable/enjoyable. And there is less need for washing your hands every time you touch or grab something, say when you’re cooking stuff that is delivered the same day. Yes, it’s a lot of time, work and effort, and can take some time especially with larger deliveries of cold items. Again, for me, it’s about peace of mind.

Eta: I also prefer produce which is not “openly and loosely exposed to the elements”, when possible. This has been quite a trial and error process and experience, which I may expound on further in the grocery thread (making note to copy this discussion over there to continue).

Instacart has been offering really really generous promotions lately. So watch for your promotion emails from Instacart. You must click the offer from your email and validate.

I've received $50 off of $75 purchase and free delivery. Offer good 2 times. (I thought there was a catch but no, it was for real).

Then I received $25 off of $35 purchase and free delivery. Offer good 4 times.

I have another new offer waiting to be used. $40 off of $75 purchase.
They are really spoiling me.

(Whhhhaaaat omg who knew. I rarely check my junk box or that email address! Thank you!)

 

[PayrollNerd]

SWFL: Popped into Publix at 3:30pm today. Almost full parking lot, busy in the store and the toilet paper was completely gone. There were maybe 6 packs of paper towels. Plenty of food though!!

 

[ilovewings]

SWFL: Popped into Publix at 3:30pm today. Almost full parking lot, busy in the store and the toilet paper was completely gone. There were maybe 6 packs of paper towels. Plenty of food though!!

We were in Florida when the pandemic struck us-- from day 1 to the day we left in June, Publix never had toilet paper. It is amazing how they just don't seem to have it together. We had to go to Walmart. Good they have enough supply of food though!!!