So long, salad bar: Grocers get creative, consider robots to revive prepared food amid pandemic

Grocers and industry watchers say self-serve bars may be gone for awhile, and perhaps forever, even as consumers return to more typical buying patterns.At Publix, salad bars and hot bars have reopened, but employees dish out each item. Wegmans moved hummus, olives and more behind the counter. And at H-E-B, some coolers carry prepared meals from local restaurants.

Companies and industry watchers say self-serve bars may be gone for awhile, and perhaps forever, even as consumers return to more typical buying patterns. That's sparked a need for creativity, said Randy Burt, managing director at global consulting firm AlixPartners that focuses on consumer products.A sign on the Hot Food Bar reads "The salad, soup, and hot bar will be closed until further notice.

Many Americans are still working from home, limiting social gatherings and juggling a lighter-than-usual schedule, too, she said. That means consumers do not need a grab-and-go meal to scarf down between the office and a child's soccer practice or cheeses or olives to put together a charcuterie plate for a party.

Instead of using a salad bar, customers can order a customized salad from an employee wearing a mask and gloves who puts together their lettuce, cherry tomatoes and more behind a chef's case, he said. Instead of a kettle of soup, cold soup is prepacked or available hot from an employee.

So long grocery stores!

I couldn’t care less! I never come anywhere near salad!

I would believe any open food bar would be a thing of the past.

Who ate from here in the first place?

Never trusted them, as a teenager worked at places that just piled fresh stuff on top of the old stuff before it was put away at night. Not to mention people always finger-picked food from salad bar.

1k give away to 9twitter users...repost till someone in need gets it!!!

CNN brk Plenty of panic Created by all media army's Please don't waste time Please don't create panic Millions of people dying with Other diseases why and with Whom desires Croona Spreading in World Study Islam and follow the only solution of all problems

Perhaps it has reached the end of it's shelf life ?

So grocery stores can't prepare foods but restaurants and fast food can? WOW these are the people telling us how to protect ourselves from the virus

Let’s replace waitstaff and cooks in restaurants with robots also . Covid 19 coming from restaurant employee who are drinking in bars, getting infected . Makes for unsafe environment for consumers

I’m a huge believer in robotics and automation. This solves many problems including heath related ones . $botz $robo

So long, Human workers*

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