Buying Groceries Safely in a Pandemic

This pandemic has kept all of us from doing things we love as well as taking care of necessities. One of those necessities include grocery shopping which has become more difficult over the past few months. That said, there are a number of ways you can still shop, stay safe, and save money in the process.

Can I get COVID-19 from touching food or packaging if the Coronavirus was on it?

• The CDC, FDA, and USDA are not aware of any reports indicating that COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging. Although there is currently no evidence of contracting Coronavirus from touching food or packaging, it is possible that the virus can survive on surfaces so wearing protective gear is always a good call!
• Many stores are disinfecting shopping carts, aisles, and surfaces more frequently, which helps to lower your risk of catching the virus while shopping. In some cases certain stores are creating special shopping hours so consider going when it is least likely to be busy.

What other steps can I take to minimize my risk when shopping?

• Explore shopping for groceries online or ask if your grocery store offers pick-up or home delivery options. Shopping online makes it easy to compare various stores, ultimately maximizing your savings.
• Adopting contact less grocery delivery can reduce your risk while also saving you money on gas and wear and tear on your car. Over time this can be substantial savings!
• Plan ahead by making a shopping list this way it is easier to stay within budget, while also avoiding unnecessary purchases. Making a list helps avoid touching (and buying) unnecessary items.
• Lastly, avoid touching as many surfaces or items as possible as well as making sure you don’t touch your mouth, nose, or face. Also, remember to practice social distancing by and try to stay 6 feet apart from others as much as possible while shopping.