By Susan Riemer

Weeks into the coronavirus pandemic, Vashon’s largest grocery stores are seeing improvements in their supply chains and ongoing high demand for their services, including curbside pickup and delivery options.

At Vashon Thriftway late last week, Manager Clay Gleb said the store has added six full-time employees to meet the needs of the pickup and delivery program, but demand is so high the store is filling orders about a week out from when they are placed. So far, the store has been averaging about 200 pickup/delivery orders per week.

Gleb said he had hoped to transition additional staff to fulfilling orders as in-store business slowed, but business has picked up a bit and he has not been able to do so. He requested that islanders place orders for several days of groceries, instead of ordering a few items and then ordering again a few days later.

“If they do not order as often, that would help us have not as much of a lag time,” he said.

The store has requested that families designate one person to shop at a time to keep the number of shoppers in the store down. So far, most people are complying, but Gleb asked that islanders who are not doing so redouble their efforts.

“If people would try hard to have one person do the shopping, that would help tremendously,” he said.

Most customers are practicing social distancing and following the recommended guidelines, he said, but there are lapses.

“We are all human and (accustomed) to doing what we used to do. As neighbors, we can all remind each other to step up our game,” he added.

Some off-island stores have begun limiting the number of shoppers allowed in at any time. Gleb is not opposed to that idea, but he said that a third party would have to issue guidance and provide resources to make that happen, as the store does not have sufficient staff to do so.

By request, Thriftway recently began offering an hour of early morning shopping for seniors on Wednesday mornings. But it has been crowded, and the store has added another time. Now, from 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays are designated for seniors and immunocompromised shoppers.

Gleb also advised shopping throughout the day, instead of during that one particular hour.

“If we all spread out our trips as much as possible, the store is not too busy,” he said.

At Vashon Market Fresh / IGA, owner Shawn Hoffman has added five employees to help with that store’s online pick-up and delivery program. Some online orders can be picked up the same day, but at times an additional day is needed.

“We just ask for their patience,” Hoffman said about the store’s shoppers. “People have been great about that. Everyone has been understanding, which is a great thing.”

He had been worried that ordering online, through the Rosie app available on the store’s website, would be hard for some customers. But Hoffman said that has not been the case, adding he is amazed how computer savvy many customers have become. Those who have problems are encouraged to call the store for assistance.

Store personnel is paying close attention to safe practices, Hoffman said. Employees who fill orders do so with gloves on. They sanitize their hands after touching cash. Staff members are frequently asked how they are feeling, and anyone who is not well is asked to leave. He noted that one employee had an elevated temperature and was sent home; the problem turned out to be a tooth infection. The store is also taking social distancing guidelines seriously.

“We ask everyone to give us 6 feet,” Hoffman said.

Recently, there has been a considerable increase in customers wearing masks, he noted, and some staff members have been doing so all along. Following the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for members of the general public to wear masks, efforts are underway to secure more.

“We are looking at ways of getting everyone a mask,” he said.

Each day the store opens one hour early — at 7 a.m. — to provide an hour of shopping for seniors and others with serious health problems. Typically, between eight and 14 shoppers attend. Hoffman said he has considered condensing the store’s hours by closing an hour early, but so far he has not made a decision, concerned that the same number of shoppers in a smaller time frame would make for a more crowded store.

Both Hoffman and Thriftway’s Gleb said the supply chain is improving, with increased stock in the warehouses for many items.

“There is no risk of running out of food,” Hoffman said.

Both men spoke highly of their employees, who are working closely with the public during this stressful time. Hoffman has increased employee wages by $2 an hour.

“We will keep it going as long as I can. They are doing great. Everyone is working hard and going the extra mile,” he said.

Thriftway has increased wages by $2.25 per hour, which Gleb termed “thank you pay.”

“They have been really extraordinary in their efforts and attitude,” he said. “They have stepped up in tremendous ways to take care of our community the best way they can. I could not be prouder of their efforts.”

The island’s smaller grocery stores are also part of the effort of keeping islanders fed, sometimes at a distance.

Harbor Mercantile owner Craig Pratt said that while the Burton store does not have enough staff for deliveries, it can provide curbside pickup. Customers can call their order in to 206-463-2500 and pay over the phone with a credit card. Calls before 2 p.m. are requested, and a time for pickup will be arranged. Pratt said he prefers an hour to gather and pack the groceries while waiting on other customers.

Minglement offers grocery delivery Tuesday through Saturdays. To order, call the store at 206-463-9800 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A store representative will take customers’ orders and describe alternatives if needed. Payment is accepted by credit card (over the phone) or check, which can be given to the delivery person.

Currently, the store is able to offer same-day delivery.

The grocery store sells all-organic and non-GMO products, including canned goods, meats, fresh island produce, eggs, cheese, butter, milk, nuts, oils, honey, vinegars, spices and healthy snacks and beverages, including kombucha as well as fresh-roasted coffee and a wide variety of teas. Minglement also carries a large array of vitamins, homeopathic and body care products.

Susan Riemer is a volunteer with VashonBePrepared’s Emergency Operations Center and a former editor of The Beachcomber.