What is a “grocery store”

March 23, 2020 12:21 PM

For those in states with shelter in place due to COVID 19 who can only go out for essentials what is defined as grocery stores? Is the entirety of large stores like Wal Mart included?

I have a large Target with supermarket near me and I wondering in the case of a shelter in place of the rest of the store beyond groceries would be accessible? I realize that this is very jurisdiction dependent but I was wondering if there’s a general guideline.

posted by raccoon409 to Shopping (14 answers total)

In the current Alameda County shelter-in-place order, this is the language about grocery stores (under 10.f, which defines "Essential businesses")

Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences

posted by Lexica at 12:36 PM on March 23, 2020 [4 favorites]

The Connecticut order closing "non-essential businesses" also has similar language to the Alameda County order.

Below is the full list of businesses that may stay open after 8 p.m. Monday, according to the state Department of Economic and Community Development: ...

5. Retail including:

• appliances, electronics, computers, and telecom equipment
• big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries, consumer health products, or operate a pharmacy
• convenience stores
• gas stations
• grocery stores including all food and beverage retailers
• guns and ammunition
• hardware, paint, and building material stores, including home appliance sales/repair
• liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees
• pharmacies
• pet and pet supply stores

(The list of "essential" businesses here in CT is quite broad, to be honest.)
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:43 PM on March 23, 2020 [2 favorites]

Best answer: In Sonoma County, North San Francisco Bay, California.

Target is still open, including the non-food sections. In reading the order, the "grocery store" section includes "This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non­ grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences."

https://socoemergency.org/order-of-the-health-officer-shelter-in-place/
posted by straw at 12:47 PM on March 23, 2020 [2 favorites]

However, the non grocery items may get harder for the stores to restock as manufacturing of nonessential items is put on hold.
posted by metahawk at 12:49 PM on March 23, 2020

I, take it for One & All with food & medicine in mind here. First, the grocery stores will be open during bank hours as a safe visible time of the day. Second, these are vital nesseties for One sustaing their life, well. I may be wrong here, but correct in thought, as I was just handed my paperwork for travel - "at hours in the day"; because of my occupational status here in this crisis.
posted by thomcatspike at 1:11 PM on March 23, 2020

Note that (in California, at least) Farmer's Markets are also included. It was kind of a relief visiting our local, over the weekend -- seems so much healthier to me, shopping outside.
posted by Rash at 1:15 PM on March 23, 2020 [1 favorite]

"non grocery items may get harder for the stores to restock"
I am seeing the pet aisles not being restocked & a lot of Maufactures are revamping this time of the year. Example, Frito Lay only has 30% at work normally in this time year. The Company is cleaning the production facilities, while vamping up for their new line in flavors & sized for their future push in mind, Memorial weekend. How to bring back 70% of One's workforce over nite!
posted by thomcatspike at 1:22 PM on March 23, 2020

Response by poster: Thank you all for the input, it’s very helpful! I was envisioning a type of thing where a rope or line marks off alcohol on Sundays in grocery stores. Obviously nothing is guaranteed but it’s interesting to hear what other places are doing!
posted by raccoon409 at 1:42 PM on March 23, 2020

Best answer: I've read reports of places in Europe roping sections off outside of the groceries and other essentials as you describe. I haven't heard of anywhere in the US doing this.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 1:59 PM on March 23, 2020

Best answer: Same here, I went to our local Target in California last week and the whole store was opened. No worry about running out of throw pillows.
posted by GuyZero at 2:20 PM on March 23, 2020 [5 favorites]

It's also possible that some stores (thinking of Target and other big box stores that have groceries and more) might start allocating more space to groceries as long as they can keep it stocked.
posted by bluedaisy at 3:04 PM on March 23, 2020

Walmart is the largest grocer in the US. Of course they're included, assuming you are buying groceries...
posted by jim in austin at 3:59 PM on March 23, 2020

here in richmond, walmart/target/community markets, etc, all fall under the essential services rule - especially since lots of those places also contain pharmacies
posted by megan_magnolia at 4:49 PM on March 23, 2020

Response by poster: Thanks all for the feedback! I now have good info about how quickly I should pick up distraction items (coloring books, games, etc) that I'd prefer not to actually have in my home until my masters paper is turned in!
posted by raccoon409 at 6:53 PM on March 23, 2020 [2 favorites]