Expanded Coop Shopping Hours, Holiday Info, and Policy Updates

Lots of Coop news to share with you today. Please help us get the word out to all members by sharing this with friends and acquaintances via email or social media. Although we send the emails to every member who has an email on file, lots of those addresses are out of date so our communication is not reaching the broadest swath of members. Thanks for your help and continued support of the Coop!

EXPANDED SHOPPING HOURS

Starting TUESDAY, Nov. 17 — TOMORROW — the Coop will OPEN at 8:30 a.m. Our shopping hours will be 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., seven days per week. We hope this additional 30 minutes will make shopping more convenient for all members especially in the run-up to the holidays.

High-risk and senior hours will be every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

ADDITIONAL WORK SHIFTS AVAILABLE FOR MEMBER WORKERS

New work shifts in Inventory and Case Cleaning Maintenance are available NOW under “SHIFT CALENDAR” in your member services account. These new shifts meet every Sunday evening. We look forward to having members join us in this important weekly work that helps to keep the Coop clean and our inventory numbers accurate for our buyers.

Reminder: To view and sign-up for all of the available VOLUNTARY work shifts you need to login to your member services account. Don’t have a member services account? Go here to register and get started: https://foodcoop.com/services

INCENTIVE CHANGES in VOLUNTARY WORKSLOT PROGRAM

For members who have been working voluntary shifts, the Coop instituted a “work 4 get 1 free” program to encourage members to work while the mandatory requirement is suspended. Thank you to all who have signed up and shown up!

As of Nov. 11, the details of the incentive program have changed and are explained on the UPDATED workslot policies agreement. The “work 4 get 1 free” will apply only to shifts that meet early morning (currently 5:30 a.m.) or late evening (8:30 p.m.) Please read for complete information.

Why the change? Historically, i.e. pre-COVID, shifts that met early in the day or involved certain types of work were chronically understaffed. The same pattern is appearing during this voluntary workslot period. Unfortunately, this important work needs doing even if members don’t sign up to work, and therefore the work falls back on the staff to do. Targeted incentives will hopefully encourage members to consider signing up for these less-desirable shifts.

ALL members are required to read and sign the UPDATED Workslot Policies Agreement before signing up for shifts.

UPDATED FACE COVERING POLICY

The Coop has updated its face covering policy, in particular what types of face covering meet the Coop’s policy, due to non-compliance on the part of some of our members. The vast majority of members willingly adhere to our policy that is designed to protect all members of our Coop community and reduce the risk of transmission. A HUGE THANKS to all who show respect to the staff and fellow members by doing the right thing every time you come to work or shop.

Unfortunately, a small group of members continue to skirt the edges of the policy or resist staff instructions to wear a Coop-approved mask at ALL times when inside the Coop. Their refusal creates unnecessary conflict and tension. The updated policy clearly states what types of face covering members can wear while in the Coop. Plus it reminds members that the Coop will refuse entry to any non-compliant members or ask members to leave once they are inside.

Read the update policy here: https://www.foodcoop.com/coronavirus/

THANKSGIVING

The Coop will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day. Our staff need a well-deserved break!

Turkeys and fresh pies are arriving this week. Check flyers in the Coop, twitter and IG for information on prices, vendors, and varieties offer. Remember our IG and twitter feeds are available on foodcoop.com. You don’t have to use social media to see our posts; you just have to check in with foodcoop.com

The Coop is also prepared for all your holiday needs in produce and all the other departments. Plus, lots of holiday chocolates, gift items, and treats are beginning to show up on the shelves. Buy your special items early because they will disappear quickly!

HEALTH AND SAFETY REMINDERS

As we see COVID fatigue setting in, combined a busier shopping experience, we want to remind members of our important health and safety protocols. Some of our staff are working 6+ hours per day on the shopping floor so they depend on all of us cooperating with these simple steps intended to reduce risk for all.

Do not reach over staff to get your product. Wait or politely ask them to move so you can reach your item. Or even ask them to reach the product for you!
Keep 6 feet of distance between yourself, other shoppers and staff whenever possible
Limit of 5 people per regular aisle and 7 people on each side of the produce aisle
Sanitize your hands when entering and any time they become dirty
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing even if you are wearing your mask

UPCOMING GENERAL MEETING

The next General Meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Registration required to receive Zoom link and to vote at GM. Register here: https://www.foodcoop.com/gmsignup/

Agenda: https://www.foodcoop.com/gmagenda/

Whew! You made it to the end. Thank you for your attention to all these important items. Check in frequently on foodcoop.com for important updates and for recent issues of the Linewaiters’ Gazette.