By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
A tour of stores in the region last week showed that many are keeping inventory available, with some exceptions, during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Acme Market in Ocean City was short on some vegetables, frozen foods and chicken, but supplies were not completely exhausted.
Outside, Whitney Randles was loading her car Thursday with groceries she had just purchased inside.
Randles has two sons with cystic fibrosis, so isolation was a big factor for her.
“We don’t want them to come into contact with anyone, with any illness for that matter. This has definitely been one of the most challenging times that we have faced as parents to keep them isolated from everyone,” Randles said.
The Ocean City resident said cystic fibrosis is a chronic illness that affects the lungs and digestive system and there’s no cure. Life expectancy is 41 years.
She said her sons, ages 15 and 16, take numerous medications and breathing treatments every day twice a day, so it’s important to keep them healthy.
“I pretty much was able to get what I needed. Part of CF is a high-calorie, high-fat diet. Having them home 24/7 is definitely challenging. They eat all of the time,” she said.
She did notice a lack of chicken.
“I’m not understanding. What is everybody doing with the chicken?” she said.
Randles said a limitation on milk is difficult.
“My kids do drink whole milk. They make protein shakes every day,” she said. “That was a little challenging to me. I’m certainly not complaining. Right now we’re just trying to do what’s best for everyone.”
JM Dougherty, a manager at Circle Liquor Store, said everything except for the 8 p.m. closing time was business as usual.
“There were a lot of empty shelves but we’re getting stuff in,” he said Thursday, noting business has been great.
“Most of Pa. (Pennsylvania) is down here,” Dougherty said. “You should have saw the lines, like on Monday. They were wrapped around.”
He said he expects things to be business as usual and has no fears of running out of anything.
“As long as they can deliver, they will be delivering,” he said of local distributors.
Outside Acme in Somers Point, Terri Bassler had just bought some supplies and was excited to have scored some chicken.
“There’s not a lot of chicken in there. I was very surprised to see that there was some today because the other day I was here and the shelves were clear,” she said. “Everybody is panicking and hoarding up. I came back, saw some today, grabbed a little bit of it.”
She said she was buying mostly vegetables and fruits.
“I’m trying to eat healthier and obviously you can only keep those for so long,” she said, noting that she found everything she was looking for “and then some.”
“Every time I go shopping I always find a little more than I went for. I got my chicken, I got my cereals and vegetables and I’m good,” she said. “I’m trying not to get into panic mode. I figure there’s no need for that if we all just be careful and keep our distance.”
Inside, store director Scott Lemmerman directed all questions to corporate spokeswoman Dana Ward, who said the community should know that Acme plans to keep its stores open and ready to serve customers.
“We are asking customers to respect quantity limits of select, high-demand items (like hand sanitizers and household cleaners, toilet paper, hand soap, etc.) to help ensure more of our neighbors can find the products they need.
“We’re refilling high-demand products as quickly as we can through our robust and sophisticated supply chain. If the product you’re looking for isn’t in the store today, we are working to replenish it as soon as possible.”
Ward added, “Our associates are truly the people to thank for keeping our stores and pharmacies operating to provide an essential service for our customers and the communities we serve. That is why we announced that our front-line associates will receive a temporary $2 per-hour-worked increase, above and beyond their regular hourly pay and overtime.”
Egg Harbor Township resident Kelly Armstrong, a 1988 graduate of Mainland Regional High School who owns It’s A Small World preschool, said she was stocking up on some items.
“I’m buying a little bit more bread than usual to freeze, just in case.”
She was shopping for her parents, who are in their 70s and in the high-risk category.
“So I am going to drop their delivery package on the porch and wave from afar,” Armstrong said.
She said she was finding everything she needed and loves shopping at Acme.
“This is always a nice, relaxing food shopping experience,” Armstrong said.
She said she does some online shopping for paper products and usually orders groceries online but now doesn’t want strangers picking her groceries out.
Linwood resident Ollie Tomasello, 24, who was buying groceries at ShopRite in Somers Point, said he was shopping as usual.
“Just getting what we need for a couple of days,” the 2013 Ocean City High School graduate said.
“We did get a couple of cases of water before everyone went crazy and it was a good idea.”
“Everywhere we’ve gone for the last couple of days was empty but now it’s back to normal,” Tomasello said. “Toilet paper is back on the shelf but last week it was empty.”
ShopRite sent out a news release regarding the virus.
“At ShopRite, we are continually monitoring information pertaining to the coronavirus outbreak and how it is affecting our communities and our stores’ ability to serve you,” it said. “Our highest priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our associates and customers. When it comes to your safety, ShopRite has cultivated an environment of exceptional food safety standards that meet local and state requirements and industry best practices.
The grocer has begun limiting the number of some items customers purchase so that others have a chance of buying what they need.
“Like all retailers, we are in short supply of many items that are in high demand right now,” the statement said.
As a result, ShopRite limits the number of disinfectant cleaners and wipes, paper products, bar and liquid soaps, cough/cold/flu over-the-counter medicines, fresh meat and eggs to two packages.
“Since timing of product deliveries and in-store inventory can change rapidly, product limits are subject to change at the store manager’s discretion. We’re working with our suppliers to keep these items on the shelf for you and we appreciate your cooperation in limiting your purchases so that everyone can get the products they need.”