Dear Co-op Shoppers,
I want to update you on how your Co-op is doing during this worldwide pandemic.
The Berkshire Food Co-op is designated as an essential business during this national emergency, and we take our role very seriously. We are remaining open and serving our customers as best we can given the shortages across the supply chain. From toilet paper to tofu, beans to flour, we place orders every day only to find that our multiple warehouses are continually out-of-stock.
Conditions have improved somewhat in the Produce Department, and we’re finding we can stock the essentials more often. I ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility when making your shopping lists. Who knows, you might find a vegetable you haven’t tried to cook with before or a local brand of yogurt that might be better than your old standby. This might be a good time to broaden your culinary horizons!
Meanwhile our Curb-side Pick-up Program has been a smashing success. We’re proud to have launched this program overnight to meet the needs of those who need to limit their social contact. We are in the process of diverting our resources from other departments in the store to work on fulfilling the orders. We hope to increase our order capacity next week.
When you call the store about Curb-side Pick-up, you often ask how we’re doing. I appreciate that more than words can say. You understand that our staff is in a challenging position, working while under the specter of an invisible and insidious virus. Thank you for your support and concern.
Right now about a quarter of our staff has elected not to come to work out of an abundance of caution. That puts an additional pressure on those that do show up for work each day. Each payroll period we are giving our staff a Hero Bonus out of appreciation for their efforts.
To help us to manage our schedules and make sure we allow everyone on our team time to rest and recharge, we are shortening our hours of operation. Beginning Sunday, April 5, we will be open 10 am to 6 pm, seven days a week. Senior Hour will be the first hour of every day, from 10 am to 11 am.
Further, we are giving our seniors more flexibility in visiting the store when it is convenient for them. The Senior Discount is now available every day, all day. Seniors must self-identify at the register that they are 65 year of age or older.
Together we will get through this and be stronger for it. Thank you again for your support of the Co-op and the vital role it plays in our community. And remember, wash your hands!
Be well,
Troy Bond
