Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #2

[PayrollNerd]

DH went to the store 05/05. He indicated the meat section looked "pretty good", but didn't stop to check prices. Everything we needed was in stock, except for 1/3 fat cream cheese (which we certainly can live without).

He brought home a 12-pack of Cottonelle; it felt like winning the lotto!

JMVHO.

I'm going to predict that the most popular Christmas gift this year is going to be a roll of toilet paper. Besides a Halloween costume, what are the TP hoarders going to do with all that?!

 

[Gardener1850]

Questions for everyone.

1) Did you stock up early before the shut down?

2) Do you plan to stock up again before fall?

3) What will you do differently if you stock up again?

4) Will necessities even be available to stock up again?

5) What have you learned from this shut down that will help you to navigate another possible shut down in the fall?

1. Not really. I did stock up on rice when I saw it selling out. But that's because I'm allergic to wheat, so rice is a staple in my household. I'm glad I went around to several stores and found some extra rice, but I didn't get nearly enough to last through this entire shut down and rice has still not returned to my store shelves since. I also ordered some extra brown rice flour, but not enough and now that is sold out everywhere as well. Now that meat is starting to get scarce too, we are going to be on on a vegetarian paleo diet when our meat and rice runs out (unless I can keep getting potatoes ).

2. & 3. No. I'm growing a bigger garden than usual instead and My DH will go hunting in the fall. I can't really afford to "stock up" at a store and I expect meat prices to rise. I will be canning and drying and freezing and otherwise preserving everything we grow and/or gather.

4. IDK. Depends on the definition of necessities? While I didn't really stock up I thought about my basic household staple products and made alternate plans for if I couldn't get these things at the store. I have what I need to make my own laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, soap, hand sanitizer, etc. I have what I need to cook without electricity and I know how to cook just about anything. I think we will have everything we need or we will make do with what we have. I'm more concerned about skyrocketing prices than shortages.

5. I'm not sure. I think things will be shutdown again sooner than the fall. I think by the end of June or beginning of July there will be so many people dead that Americans will change to demanding another shut down and/or greater protections in the workplace if possible. Some businesses will never even open up this time around and many businesses will disappear. Those out of work will have to go find an "essential" job in the food or medical industry if they really want to be employed or they will have to find a way to work at home. I think there will be a turning point when many people realize for the first time that this isn't going away as soon as they thought, and I hope that people will react by reinventing themselves or innovating new ideas to adapt to Covid restrictions. Because the alternative is that we will see a lot of bad things happen.

MOO.

 

[BUF]

Agreed. I want to know how all these businesses that are opening and set to open are going to be able to sanitize without cleaning supplies. Yes I know that there is soap and water which I use at home but who is going to lug around buckets of hot water and soap in stores, offices, etc? Hmmm, I see another industry that may have a boom. Cleaning services! Instead of cleaning places once per week or whatever schedule businesses had they will have to hire cleaners that are there permanently like they are in supermarkets here in NorCal. They clean each and every cart and basket people handle plus the conveyer belts and registers with each customer. I’ve seen a lot of new employee faces at the two supermarkets I frequent locally.

There are places that sanitizer, wipes, etc. are available for businesses. Someone I know was just in a hotel (had to go for business) and sanitizer and wipes were on the floors, elevators, etc. btw the hotel (Hyatt) was pretty much empty, only about 6-8 people staying there that they could tell. Once you check in, they stay out & no cleaning done. They told them that they wait at least 72 hours before the room will be disinfected and cleaned. They also said all pillows, comforters, etc. are washed each time. Someone also meets you at the door to let you into the hotel.

 

[BUF]

1) Did you stock up early before the shut down?
My parents went thru the war in the Netherlands. No special action was needed on my part when CoV hit, but I did buy some extra flour and lentils.

2) Do you plan to stock up again before fall?
I'll be aware of some availabilities throughout the coming months, and harvest and preserve my garden.

3) What will you do differently if you stock up again?
Tell my children to buy asap things that their children may need this fall and winter, snow suits, footwear, winter clothes, baby food, baby care products. (I had a new grandbaby born today! A safe and happy arrival). Also stock up on business supplies that are imported. Lock down requires technical equipmemt that is newer than an ipad 2. :/ It's not only food that may have distribution problems.

4) Will necessities even be available to stock up again?
Yes, but supplies throughout the coming year may be a bit rocky.

5) What have you learned from this shut down that will help you to navigate another possible shut down in the fall?
It's a good idea to buy directly from the farmer if you can. There is such a thing as a freezer that is too small. I'm in a good situation. My children are less prepared. Can I take in a vulnerable senior?

Congratulations @musicaljoke !!

 

[Chelly]

Re: Posts upthread about Walmart. My experience with local Walmart has been excellent, both with online ordering/pickup and in-store shopping. The staff is diligent and customer service excellent. Most people are wearing masks and adhering to 6ft distancing. moo!

 

[I'm Just Here]

who knew i wouldnt be able to find a freaking thermometer
in the entire city of Fort Myers-- i had a thermometer but it conked out so i thought ok-- i will go to CVS or Walgreen- or Walmart- none of these stores nor Target, nor any medical supply stores have thermometers--- I ordered one online two weeks ago- still waiting. I just don't understand not having them in stock: I can understand being sold out, but don't them re-order?

who knew i wouldnt be able to find a freaking thermometer
in the entire city of Fort Myers-- i had a thermometer but it conked out so i thought ok-- i will go to CVS or Walgreen- or Walmart- none of these stores nor Target, nor any medical supply stores have thermometers--- I ordered one online two weeks ago- still waiting. I just don't understand not having them in stock: I can understand being sold out, but don't After reading about your trying to get a thermometer, I am wondering about this shortage too. My sister in law can not find one and is suppose to take her temp because of a positive person living across the hall in the apartment. She also works with senior citizens in preparing meals. How can we do what we need to if we can't get the items needed for safety measures?

 

[JrzyGirl70]

@JrzyGirl70 May I ask what company you are at?

I work for a family owned wholesale meat and poultry supplier in NJ

 

[BUF]

I work for a family owned wholesale meat and poultry supplier in NJ

Thank you

 

[ilovewings]

I have had bad luck with thermometers. The ones I have at home aren’t too accurate, and a forehead thermometer I ordered from Amazon was not only late but useless... It reads 97.3 F no matter who uses it and at varied times during the day. I am attempting to return it or get credit.

Even before the pandemic, a lot of thermometers out there weren’t too good. I’m fortunate to have an old but intact mercury thermometer. It is very accurate. Mercury is dangerous, but with careful handling a mercury thermometer can last indefinitely.

i never had a problem with a thermometer until mine conked out over a month ago-'
i always bought Vicks therm and they were fine so i expected to go out and find
another one at tbe drugstore--- no such luck so i ordered one on line a couple weeks
ago along with a pulse ox, neither which have arrived-- i may never get these
items--i had ordered these items initially thru Amazon--both got lost in transit

 

[10ofRods]

i never had a problem with a thermometer until mine conked out over a month ago-'
i always bought Vicks therm and they were fine so i expected to go out and find
another one at tbe drugstore--- no such luck so i ordered one on line a couple weeks
ago along with a pulse ox, neither which have arrived-- i may never get these
items--i had ordered these items initially thru Amazon--both got lost in transit

Yeah, we've had the same thing happen. Obviously, something is happening to things that are medical. In some nations, there's almost no way to send a package safely any where, unless it just contains old clothes or books and magazines. Which apparently no one wants. IMO.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

Questions for everyone.

1) Did you stock up early before the shut down?

2) Do you plan to stock up again before fall?

3) What will you do differently if you stock up again?

4) Will necessities even be available to stock up again?

5) What have you learned from this shut down that will help you to navigate another possible shut down in the fall?

1 - yes
2 - already started
3 - figure out a way to get a steady supply of my crack (silk soy milk and strawberry frosted mini wheats)
4- cleaning supplies look to be iffy
5 - That this is a lot like defensive driving. Main goal is to avoid dangerous idiots

 

[katydid23]

I just got a notification from one of my friends that meat prices are about to go through the roof. They said the stock up.

I just happened to see your post as I was about to go do a quick errand. So I decided I'd go to the Albertson's on my way back, to grab a bit more chicken. Our freezer is full of red meat right now, which is unusual. But the kids got us a Omaha Steaks certificate for hubby birthday and we got a lot of things we don't usually order. So I wanted to add some chicken in there be cause I prefer it to beef.

And the prices have already skyrocketed. Trimmed, skinless, boneless chicken breasts were 7 bucks a lb. And all they had left was that kind---no more do it yourself cuts available in the freezer....although I didn't wait in line at the butcher counter to check.

 

[katydid23]

JUST SCORED some hand sanitiser!

My daughter called me to say that Green Thumb nursery had sanitiser, masks gloves for very fair prices, 2 per customer. I hurried over there because it is just a few minutes away from us.

ProSanitize 8 fl oz for 7.99

I used it and it feels great and you can feel the alcohol and the tingle and it dries quickly---it is pretty good.

 

[MimosaMornings]

I just got a notification from one of my friends that meat prices are about to go through the roof. They said the stock up.

Thank you very much for the heads up @dixiegirl1035

I went to two different large chain grocery stores this morning.

No chicken. No beef.
Looked as bare as the paper goods aisle.

Pork items left - bacon and liver mush.

Limit two of lunchmeat, hot dogs.

 

[BeachSky]

Clorox struggling to meet record-breaking demand

 

[tabitha111]

Questions for everyone.

1) Did you stock up early before the shut down?

2) Do you plan to stock up again before fall?

3) What will you do differently if you stock up again?

4) Will necessities even be available to stock up again?

5) What have you learned from this shut down that will help you to navigate another possible shut down in the fall?

1) Yes way way before, in fact I bought N95 masks and there were 50 boxes on the shelf when I did. Lots of grocery shopping and putting a pantry together in my extra bedroom all when this was just a China problem.

2) Constantly restocking and stocking up, so yes will be prepared in the fall. Even bought a deep freezer! If I see paper towels, toilet paper, etc come online, I buy.

3) Follow what is currently in demand and stock up as I find the products. Oh, way more puzzles and books onboard!


4) yes, but you have to be quick...sell out as fast as they are put out

5) I believe another shutdown is inevitable. I've learned I have no problem being alone as long as my dog is here and I have contact with my sister's daily. I'm used to adapting to any situation. Former Air Force brat, grew up in a family of 10, and I am retired 20 years US Navy. I will survive!!

 

[cody22]

Masking my spot......moo

 

[LadyL]

discovered yeast and vitamin C at my grocery store AFTER I put in an order to pick up tomorrow and for some reason it's already to late to add items to the order

 

[Teche]

Great questions, Tillicum.

1) Yes! Based mainly on what I was reading here, I started adding extra bits to every delivery from mid-late February. Back then, I was mainly concerned that cat food wouldn’t be a priority if the supply chain struggled. As a result, even today I have a storage cupboard full of wet food, kibble, treats and litter.

2) Definitely. Actually, I plan to stay stocked up for the foreseeable future. I am convinced - although I’d love to be wrong - there will be a second wave.

3) I do not need quarantine snacks. I do not need quarantine snacks. I do not need quarantine snacks. Repeat ad infinitum.

4) I wonder if, in the UK at least, the shortages are more or less over. I don’t eat meat/fish/dairy so have no idea if they’re still out of stock but TP, pasta, bread are all available again - although that said, flour and yeast are still almost impossible to buy. Luckily, I had already stocked up. I’d miss making bread, I find it so soothing.

5) The only person I can affect is me, myself and I. I have learned that constant broadcast news does nothing but hurt my mental health.

I will continue to stock up a little at a time. My husband and I are retired and live alone but a couple of houses down from our 3 little grandchildren who visit daily and we watch when the parents work as hospital nurses. My plans are to keep a good supply of soap...bar, shampoo, dishwashing liquid and washing powder, toilet paper and liquid bleach or Lysol, canned vegetables, fruits, tuna tomato paste, rice, spaghetti, dried beans, coffee, and otc meds.
We have a freezer and recently stocked up on beef, chicken, sausage and fish. I bought 10 pounds of onions and a bunch of bell peppers on sale and sliced, diced and froze them. We have a vegetable garden.

 

[weepingangel]

I’ve noticed my gas/coffee/convenience store has tp,sanitizer and some kind of masks on the counter. No clue about prices. Might be worth checking places like that also