Posted on 03/14/2020 10:29:00 AM PDT by david1292
Empty freezers. Cleaned out shelves. Aisles totally empty, as if it were a going out of business sale. The chicken thighs, the frozen broccoli, the toilet paper are all feared missing.
It’s slim pickings these days at supermarkets and convenience stores across the region as people are jamming into aisles to stock up on food, household goods, and cleaning supplies amid rising concerns they’ll be forced to self-quarantine for an extended period of time. As cases of the coronavirus continue to spread, industry experts promise that the virus won’t lead to a break in the food supply chain -- but it was clear in busy groceries Friday that many shoppers would rather be safe than sorry.
“Is this it? The end?” Donna Knowles asked without irony as she became the 26th person in a line that stretched from the cashier deep into the bakery section at the Market Basket in Gloucester early Friday afternoon.
"I just came in to grab a few things, hoping to make a few dinners before I go to work,'' she said, sizing up the line. "I don’t think that’s going to happen.''
"The only way you’re getting any water is if you go down to the ocean and boil it,'' Mike Francis called out to another customer in a different corner of the store as he stocked chips in the snack aisle.
"It’s worse than a blizzard, it’s worse than pre-Thanksgiving,'' Francis, a distributor for Utz snacks, told a reporter. "I’ve never seen anything like this. And it’s like this in every store.”
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonglobe.com ...
I popped into Walmart neighborhood market this morning (groceries only) figured I would get there at 6:00 when they opened to around the masses WELL there was a line at least 2 blocks long of people waiting to get in!!…Drove right by and came home this has become ridiculous utterly ridiculous I hope EVERY damn journalist comes down with this and is in bed for 2 weeks, I really wish they would ALL DROP DEAD but that is to much to ask for!!!
I offered to buy one for my husband. He rejected the idea for some reason.
The local Aldi had plenty of K-cups this morning (with their own brand of coffee, of course).
“Hows about a pat on the back to those of us who were already prepared and weren’t/aren’t out buying supplies?”
I topped off some (yes...bottled water/TP/cold meds), but I left plenty for the ones that followed. (oh, and wine...lot’sa wine)
One thing about milk and such: with so many kids being home from schools they will have to eat at home, some for lunches AND breakfasts. Families msy be adjusting for those changes, too. Hopefully morons are not getting milk just to hoard, in other words,no kids
Honestly getting Chinese take out later. Visited our local deli sandwich shop last night too.
May stop by Grocery Outlet down the street later if the snow shows up late. Or, I have a bit of drip blend if I need it.
Order online.
If shipping is stopped, and the stores don’t get restocked, I wonder what it will be like in a couple weeks, or longer if this continues.
In NYC, instead of food, they’re hording video game consoles.
Last week I bought 10 big cans of coffee.
I live in rural Alabama. I grow my own vegetables and can shoot and eat a variety of critters, but I can’t grow coffee.
Order takeout.
baby butt wipes,
There is also a tendency for people to get caught up in the “big snow” fear. I have seen it many times. The TV predicts a big snow and everyone goes out and buys milk. eggs, and bread, whether they need it or not.
Oh, and one other thing. Maybe it is time for us Southern boys to load up big truck loads of corn cobbs and take north to sell! For those of you who understand I am sure it will bring a smile!
In China, there were reports that farmers had to throw out tons of fresh produce because they could not get it delivered.
I live in an area that still has lots of farms so,I am hoping that doesn’t happen here.
I can’tbwait until I can buy fresh fruit and vegetables from local producers and not have to,depend on supermarkets.
Well, if he doesn’t get one, and all the toilet paper is gone, then pretty soon, his nickname is going to be Mr Stinky Britches.
No, not just those places. It is now in the upper midwest: Ohio & Michigan. All schools are closed in both states.
I can just see a photo posted on Reddit of some Walmart employee, looking real stern, standing guard over empty shelves...
Mix the powdered milk with hot water (just boiled) and as it cools the taste of paper disappears! The taste of creay is more than I like, but it is a way to have whole milk for preps.
I stocked my pantry about two weeks ago. It was raining last night, and debated my usual 1.5 mile walk. Skipped it, and figured I would just take in less calories, instead. The new thought process ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.