Update:
Save-On-Foods said it is looking to bring more product to B.C. stores from its Alberta workshop as soon as possible.
“We are exploring all avenues to get product to our stores including distributing out of our Alberta warehouse to service as many BC stores as possible,” Save-On said in an email to the Free Press.
We understand that these are uncertain times and we’re asking our customers to maintain normal shopping habits. Our teams are doing their best to keep the shelves full through alternate routes and we encourage everyone to be patient and to be kind to each other and to our team members. We thank everyone for being extra patient during this challenging time.”
Original story:
Shelves in 100 Mile House grocery stores were stripped bare Tuesday as people stocked up ahead of prolonged highway closures due to flooding and mudslides.
Produce sections at both Save-On-Foods and FreshCo had little left Tuesday, while the stores were low or out of staples such as bread, milk and eggs.
The situation had people taking to social media asking residents to “stop hoard shopping in our stores,” while Save-On-Foods urged customers to “maintain normal shopping habits.”
“This will help our team members keep the shelves full for everyone,” Save-On-Foods said in an email to the Free Press. “We understand that these are uncertain times and many people just want to do what’s right for their families.”
By lunchtime, shoppers at both Save-On and FreshCo were struggling to find essential items.
Shayleen Bevaart, a nurse at 100 Mile District General Hospital, said she was frustrated to discover many items sold out at FreshCo when she went to grab a few things on her lunch break.
“I barely have any time to get to the grocery store and I finally went on my break and there’s literally nothing left,” Bevaart said. “I’m surprised that our community has been through this before and people are acting as though it’s mass chaos. We will get through this like everything else, we just need to care more about each other which seems to be troublesome since COVID started.”
Canim Lake Band members Barb and Trevor Archie, along with Gladys Archie, said they were surprised to see so many empty shelves at Save-On. They left without the bananas and paper towels they wanted and hoped to find them at FreshCo.
Even the case lot sale was sold out, Trevor said.
“It’s just crazy,” Gladys added. “I didn’t think it’d be like this.”
Nicki Jackson popped over to Save-On-Foods after her husband told her there was a run on items at Walmart in Williams Lake.
She wanted to make sure she had enough for lunches for her 10-year-old twins and 17-year-old this week.
“It’s totally bare,” she said. “We’re a little worried. I just basically got stuff for the kids for the rest of the week. We can make do but the kids are picky.”
Both grocery stores said they are exploring options to get more products on the shelves. “At this time, all shipments in and out of the Lower Mainland are on hold based on the current road conditions. We are exploring all avenues to get product to our stores as quickly as possible,” Save-On-Foods said.
During COVID-19 last year, grocery products were shipped in from Alberta.
Danny Williams, of the 100 Mile Food Bank, said he was told Save-On is looking at bringing in a truck from Alberta.
He noted the Food Bank hasn’t been inundated with requests this week but added they did just have Hamper Day Tuesday.
He said he was told