Covid Chronicles Chapter 24: Bulk Food Sales Suspended

 

Read chapter 23 here

Photos by Retiring Guy

Tuesday, April 14 

During the early days of the pandemic, before the Willy Street Coop placed a limit on the number on the customers it allowed inside, I experienced a reverse ‘wow moment’ after walking into the store unimpeded. Preparing for the worst, JoAnna and I decided to stock up on staples. Among the items in my shopping list: rice, lentils, navy beans, and oatmeal. I abruptly stopped in my tracks when I noticed large sheets of clear plastic draped over all of the bulk food containers. Upon closer inspection, I read the following message on a signboard. 

Per the Public Health Madison and Dane County directive, we cannot offer self-dispensed, unpackaged products. 

That makes perfect sense, I thought. 

The handling of plastic bags and ties, a marker to write down the 4-digit product code, the scoop, the hinged plastic top or handle. A lot of touching is involved in the transfer of product to bag. Not to mention the fact that customers were previously allowed to bring in their own bags and containers. 

But it was an outcome of the response to the virus that I neglected to consider. It never crossed my mind, despite the fact that we frequently purchase items in bulk on our coop visits. When I checked the shelves for packaged oatmeal, legumes, and rice, I found them empty. 

Buying in bulk is not likely to return to stores anytime soon, I fear. Perhaps in preparation for this outcome, Willy Street staff now package many of the products the store formerly offered in bulk, including the dark chocolate-covered almonds that JoAnna and I have become so fond of. (Very when pounded into small pieces and sprinkled on vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. Fortunately, it’s one of the packaged bulk items in stock.) 

On the other hand, changes haven’t been as noticeable in the produce section. ‘Naked’ bananas are still for sale by the bunch. Potatoes, onions, broccoli, and many other vegetables are still displayed as if we were still in pre-virus times. The one notable exception is mushrooms. No more using plastic tongs — or bare hands — to make your own selection. Bulk lettuce and spinach are also gone. 

Back to the topic of bags and containers from home, which, I confess, was another virus outcome not on my radar. From its earliest days of operation, Willy Street encouraged customers to bring their own bags to pack their groceries. I imagine it pained them, as well as many of their customers, to implement this restriction. We have at least a half dozen bags of various sizes, materials and colors which hang on hooks in the hallway that we use for this purpose. None of them are laundered on a regularly basis. In fact, I can’t remember the last time any of them were tossed into the washer. According to an article I read recently, scientific evidence is lacking on this precaution. 

Nowadays, though, I suppose it’s best to be overly cautious.