When It Comes to Pandemic Safety, My Food Co-op Does What Big Grocery Stores Can’t

associated with shopping in supermarkets, shopping at smaller, member-owned food co-ops poses its own risks. Whether it’s shoppers sticking their hands into the bulk bins — which are the backbone of many a co-op — or people who don’t observe social distancing within small spaces, food co-ops have had to meet the challenges of not only adapting to a global pandemic, but also maintaining a sense of community, something crucial to the mission of most co-ops.

Founded as a buying club in 1973, the 4th Street Food Co-op has two tiny aisles lined with bulk bins full of dried goods, loose teas, oils, and vinegars. When the number of COVID-19 cases began growing in New York, I feared our tightly packed store might become a breeding ground for the virus, and that people would be afraid to shop there.

That’s why we collectively implemented a policy that all shoppers and workers must wear a face covering in the store, and, upon entering, also wash their hands in the bathroom at the back of the store. We then amended the policy so that customers would also be required to wear gloves , which we provided.In addition to creating a safer environment, these policies have provided an ongoing object lesson in human behavior.

Because the store is so small, it’s fairly easy to monitor the handwashing and glove policies. It’s also easy to notice anyone who is not practicing proper social distancing. Large stores aren’t necessarily monitoring how far people stand apart from each other, but co-op members have taken it upon themselves to monitor and enforce safety measures. Our small size also means that only four people are allowed inside at the same time.

It’s a time-honored tradition for co-op workers to make visitors feel unwelcome and weird so no one likely noticed anything unusual about the nutty policies

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