NYC Whole Foods Start 'Senior Only' Hours Amid Coronavirus

NEW YORK, NY — Whole Foods is the latest New York City grocery store to set aside special hours for seniors to shop during the coronavirus pandemic, the company announced this week.

Starting on Wednesday, March 18, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will service customers 60 years of age and older one hour before opening to the public, including their 13 New York City locations, according to a press advisory.

Older adults and those with preexisting conditions are especially vulnerable to the new coronavirus, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Ten city residents, and counting, have died since the outbreak began.

"We are setting aside this time to help these customers, who national health authorities have identified as among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, feel more comfortable shopping our stores and helping to ensure they are able to get the items they need in a less crowded environment," Whole Foods said.

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The retailer is the latest grocer to offer the "seniors only" hours.

Park Slope's Key Foods, Manhattan grocery store chain Morton Williams and most recently Stop and Shop locations are also setting aside shopping hours.

Whole Foods has also adjusted its store hours in response to the pandemic. Customers are directed to visit the grocer's website for more information on stores' updated hours per region.

Like many grocery food chains forced to change their hours amid the coronavirus-fueled influx, officials said Whole Foods Market stores will close up to two hours early to give workers more time to restock shelves, sanitize stores and rest in preparation for the next day.

"During this time, stores will remain open for pickup (in stores that offer it), and we will continue to fulfill Prime delivery orders in an effort to meet unprecedented demand and ensure that people who need to remain at home can still get their groceries in a timely manner," officials wrote. "We appreciate your patience, understanding and support as we strive to support our communities however possible. The health and safety of our customers, Team Members and communities remains our top priority."

Find a list of the 10 Manhattan and three Brooklyn Whole Foods locations here.

Patch reporter Tony Cantu contributed to this report.