Gov. Inslee: It’s my hope people shop at a normal pace
Mar 18, 2020, 4:07 PM
Gov. Inslee is also asking you to refrain from hoarding food. (Reader submitted)
(Reader submitted)
Among other things, Governor Jay Inslee is calling on people to refrain from stockpiling or hoarding groceries.
“We are experiencing a tremendous strain on our supply system on our groceries and our stores,” Inslee said in a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Inslee said the supply chain is “robust and healthy,” and that when you see photos of empty shelves, “it’s simply the rush buying and the hoarding that’s going on.”
The governor is, however, asking Washingtonians to shop at a normal pace.
Derek Sandison, the director of Washington state’s Department of Agriculture, released a statement on Wednesday. In part:
“State and federal government is actively working with producers, processors, and distributors to ensure that the food supply chain continues to function and support our communities through these difficult and uncertain circumstances.”
Sandison said not only are farmers, ranchers, and processors producing plenty of food, deliveries to grocery stores are happening at a steady pace.
Karl Schroeder, president of the Seattle Division for Safeway and Albertsons, assured KIRO Radio’s Gee and Ursula Show that there is food supply coming in every day, with truck drivers and warehouses working seven days a week to accommodate the increased demand, and employees stepping up to the challenge, often working long hours to help their community.
Safeway and Albertsons have offered to hire at least 2,000 people, though Schroeder thinks there is room to hire even more than that
Safeway and Albertsons have set aside special times for seniors and the immune-compromised to shop: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9am. Target and Whole Foods are reserving the first hour of each Wednesday for seniors and the immune-compromised.
