Groceries and cashiers play key role in keeping the supply chain open during pandemic
Alvin Ducre stayed busy Tuesday, wiping down and disinfecting carts for each customer as they entered Detwiler’s Farm Market in Palmetto.
Customers couldn’t help but notice Ducre as well as other changes at Detwiler’s. Those include more spacing between checkout lines, plexiglass shields that have gone up at each cashier station and at customer service, and the disinfecting being done by cashiers between customers.
It’s all intended to keep customers safe, as well as those on the front lines of feeding American families during the cornavirus pandemic.
The Palmetto Detwiler’s, 1800 U.S. 301, will be introducing something new on Wednesday: the market express drive-through, company president Sam Detwiler said Tuesday.
Customers will be able to pull into the twin drive-up area on the east side of the building, be met by a Detwiler’s associate, fill out a shopping list, hand it to a grocery worker who will dash into the store, scan and bag the items, and return a couple of minutes later with food items.
Detwiler’s has prepared a 100-item checklist of the most commonly sought food items that customers can complete and get their groceries without having to get out of their car, said Sam Detwiler, company president.
Helping to expedite delivery of those food items are bins next to the express drive-through, stocked with checklist items.
Detwiler’s was opening its second drive-through express lane at its Clark Road store in Sarasota from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting April 7 .
Of course, customers who would rather go into the store themselves are welcome to do so.
“Our team has taken extra precautions. We’ve just been trying to come together as a store, as a community, and be here for everyone so that they feel safe coming into the store,” said Justine Cavender, who has worked at Detwiler’s for five years and is an assistant front-end manager.
Shanna Kotlarczyk, a Parrish resident, said she appreciates the efforts that Detwiler’s is making to keep customers safe, and keep food prices affordable, especially with so many layoffs in the community.
“As a customer I appreciate them and I try to keep my distance from them, protect them the best that I can, and know that I am not going to come into the store if have a sniffle or if I am feeling in any way sick. I am going to protect them as much as I would my own family, “ Kotlarczyk said.
Detwiler’s, as well as supermarket chains Publix and Winn Dixie, have modified their hours to serve those most at risk of COVID-19.
Detwiler has set aside the hours 7-8 a.m. Monday through Saturday for those 65 and older and those with disabilities.
Shoppers who are 65 and older may shop at all Publix supermarkets stores 7-8 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Publix’ pharmacies open at 7 a.m. for seniors.
Winn Dixie has shopping hours for seniors and high-risk customers from 8 – 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Winn Dixie is also opening pharmacy locations at 8 a.m. on weekdays to provide prescription refills, influenza and pneumonia vaccines and customer counseling.
On Tuesday, Winn Dixie announced all of its stores will remain open from 8 to 9 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday for first responders and health care providers so that they can stock up on fresh food and essential items.
Publix and in Winn Dixie have already installed, or are installing, screens between customers, cashiers and pharmacies, and have stepped up disinfection efforts.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
