Temecula Grocery Stores: Restocking, Hours During Coronavirus

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Grocery store employees are working hard to keep shelves stocked amid the coronavirus pandemic that's prompted hoarding of food and household products by some shoppers.

Here's what local grocers are doing to keep us fed and healthy (online shopping is available with several of the companies):

Albertsons

• Albertsons stores nationwide have set aside special shopping hours for senior citizens and other at-risk populations, such as pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems, who have been advised to avoid leaving home as much as possible. At a minimum, the company will reserve every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 a.m. for those vulnerable shoppers. Customers should check their store's hours if they're opening on a different schedule.
• Customers are asked to respect quantity limits of select, high-demand items (like hand sanitizers and household cleaners).

Barons

• Seniors 65 and older, pregnant women and those with disabilities can shop at 9 a.m., one hour before the company opens its stores to the rest of the public.

Costco

• The company said it is taking steps to control the number of members in its warehouses and has asked that members and employees practice social distancing.
• The company has reduced some services.

Food4Less

• Store hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The company said it is "partnering with our suppliers to replenish high-demand preparedness products."
• Limits on the number of cold, flu and sanitary products per customer. Other limitations may be in place at your store location.

Gelson's (Coachella Valley)

• The company said it is working with its suppliers and distributors to ensure product availability. "Certain items are largely unavailable, and we are seeking alternative suppliers of hand sanitizer, bleach, rubbing alcohol, and a few other items which remain at record demand," the company said.
• The company said it has deployed resources from its office and field teams to help keep shelves stocked and minimize checkout wait times.
• Gelson’s has temporarily suspended most product sampling in stores.
• Special senior hours (65 years of age and older) are 7-8 a.m. (shoppers may be asked for I.D.). Stores open to the public at 8 a.m.

Ralphs

• Store hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The company said it is "partnering with our suppliers to replenish high-demand preparedness products."
• Limits on the number of cold, flu and sanitary products per customer. Other limitations may be in place at your store location.

Sprouts

• No coronavirus updates; stores remain open.

Stater Bros.

• Stores are open 8 a.m. to p.m. until further notice. "The reduced hours allow the company sufficient time to thoroughly clean its stores, restock merchandise and ensure a safe and healthy shopping experience for its customers and employees," officials said in a released statement.
• There are limits on high-demand items.
• All sales are final.

Vons

• Customers are asked to respect quantity limits of select, high-demand items. "We’re refilling high-demand products as quickly as we can," the company said.
• Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Walmart

• In an effort to keep shelves stocked and stores clean, U.S. Walmart stores are open 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Stores that usually open later than 7 a.m. will continue their regular starting hours.)
• From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before stores open. Pharmacies and store vision centers will also be open during this time.
• To prevent hoarding, stores now have limits on how many items in certain categories can be purchased. Paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula and baby food are among the categories.
• NOTE: Walmart Auto Care Centers are temporarily shut down.

Whole Foods (Coachella Valley)

• All Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada are servicing customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the general public, under the new adjusted hours posted on the store’s web page. (example: if a store’s new hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m., customers who are 60+ can shop starting at 8 a.m.)
• Stores will close up to two hours early to give employees more time to restock shelves and sanitize stores. During this time, stores will remain open for pickup (in stores that offer it), and the company will continue to fulfill Prime delivery orders.
• Temporary closure of hot bars, salad bars, soup bars and self-serve pizza.
• Seated restaurant venues and taprooms are closed for in-store dining and will offer takeout only.
• Indoor and outdoor café seating are temporarily unavailable.
• Self-serve offerings are closed in additional departments, including antipasti & olive bars, acai machines and poke bow.

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