OPINION: Grocery shopping is a challenge but ag suppliers are awesome

With the world in the grips of COVID-19, it seems that life on the farm carries on as normal. We talk to suppliers and delivery people but from a distance, wipe thing down . . . and give a wide berth to the milk truck and driver, per DFO directives. Heaven forbid that we lose our milk pickups because we said, “Hi” too close! By this point, the drivers must feel like pariahs, with farmers scattering as they drive in the yard.

Our feed is still delivered, ditto cleaners, sanitizers, disinfectants and bull semen. Our wood shavings will be there for pickup on the date we requested.  The ordering procedures for most items have changed somewhat. Usually things have to be ordered by phone the day before and will be waiting the next day for pickup with a 6ft. barrier between you and the clerk. Debit or credit only, no cash.

If there is an electrical or plumbing breakdown or something wrong with any of the barn systems, repairmen and parts are only a phone call away. If machinery breaks down, the equipment dealers are still open.

Our veterinarian is still on call 24/7. They still drop off anything we need, from drugs to bolus’ to syringes as they pass the farm. It saves us a 45-minute drive to the office. Sale barns and truckers are still a go.

Parts we have ordered through dealers have arrived much as expected time wise, so obviously the factories, order desks and courier services are still on the job.

To all these people and those I have forgotten, we offer deep thanks as we are sure that everyone would rather be safe at home with their families and not wondering if the next person they serve will be the one to infect them.

On Tuesday, March 24, I made our first shopping trip off the farm in two weeks . . . and discovered a different world. Reusable bags you must pack yourself or accept free, single-use plastic ones. Purchases can only be put on the conveyor once the previous shopper has moved away. Many cashes have plexiglass barriers up to protect cashiers from customers. And no cash accepted. One cashier confided that she has burst into tears more than once after constantly correcting shoppers. How sad.

At the Cornwall Walmart, only one outside door is open. Naturally I parked at the other one! There is a sanitizing stand to spray and wipe your cart, the only store I saw that offers this. The grocery aisles have black arrows on the floor, to help shoppers keep their distance and not have to squeeze past anyone. Unfortunately, like myself, few shoppers watch the floor when looking for items. No problem, a nice lady will run after you and make you correct your direction. After awhile, you find yourself correcting other shoppers going against the arrows.

“Turn around and follow the arrows or you will be stopped by the employee back there!” Most look shocked, but do it. I wonder how many, like me, had to be told more than once!

The number of empty shelves are amazing. No toilet paper or Kleenex, paper towels, sanitizers, disinfectants, frozen vegetable, tinned goods or flour. The bread that my husband eats was unavailable in five stores. I eventually found it in Alexandria two days later.

The number of items with a limitation on quantities per shopper was also amazing. Frozen items, flour, chicken, eggs, bread. Yet one son has been buying bagged milk close to expiry for $1.50. With eight kids it goes fast.
Smooth-talking the manager sometimes helps. I explained that we are a dairy farm with four adults and that two loaves of bread will not last very long. That got me a pass on the bread restriction.

That evening, a long-time egg customer called looking for eggs for her daughter in Long Sault. She had been unable to find any in the stores. Unfortunately our hens are squeezed to the limit now with regular customers baking, so we could not help. Are all the the cross-border shoppers being forced to shop on home turf?

The one thing that scares me are the number of people who seem to have no regard for their safety or anyone else’s. Surveys say that one out of three is unconcerned about COVID-19 and that is worrisome. Consider how you would feel if you unknowingly passed it to someone else and they died. Stay safe. Stay healthy. And a million thanks to all those still on the job.