COVID-19 UPDATES

NEWS

February 17, 2021

Recently we learned that a staff member in our store tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was last in the store on February 11, 2021. This employee does not come in regular contact with community members. The employee is doing well and is home in isolation.

We are following all recommended guidelines from the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH). ECDOH does not require us to take additional measures beyond the current COVID-19 protocols the co-op is following. We continue regularly sanitizing, mask wearing and physical distancing. Staff members are required to monitor their health daily and stay home if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms or believe they have been in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19.

The Co-op remains open for business seven days a week from 9:00am – 8:00pm. If you have any additional questions, please contact our general manager, Jessica Armbrust at [email protected].

---

November 6, 2020

Recently we learned that a staff member in our store tested positive for COVID-19. After the employee’s last shift at the store, the individual was exposed to someone who was positive for COVID-19. The staff member last worked on October 31.

The employee is doing well and is home in isolation.

We are following all recommended guidelines from the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH). ECDOH does not require us to take additional measures at this time as the employee has not been at work since their exposure.

In store we continue our health and safety protocols of regular sanitizing, mask wearing and physical distancing. Staff members are required to monitor their health daily and stay home if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms or believe they been have in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19.

The Co-op remains open for business seven days a week from 9:00am – 8:00pm (8:00am – 9:00am for Seniors). If you have any additional questions, please contact our general manager, Jessica Armbrust at [email protected]

---

May 20, 2020

FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dear Member-Owners of the East Aurora Co-op,

We hope that you and your family are staying well during these unprecedented times. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed all our lives and we continue to adapt to our community’s needs. 

First, we want to thank all our fantastic employees as they continue to work each day stocking shelves, checking out customers, gathering grocery orders, or prepping baked goods and meals. If you are in the store, please take a moment to thank them for their dedication. This includes our general manager, Jessica Armbrust, who has been a resilient leader. Her ideas have helped drive new initiatives to help keep our customers and employees safe, including the new curbside pick-up option. 

We’d also like to thank you, our member-owners, for supporting the store. We ask that you continue to practice the CDC recommended social distancing guidelines, including wearing a mask, when shopping to help protect our fellow shoppers and employees. Our new curbside grocery pick-up option has been a great success and is available to all shoppers; please let your friends and neighbors know about this alternative. Continue to spread the good word about our neighborhood store; pandemic grocery shopping does not have to be a stressful and impersonal experience! 

At your co–op, there are few additional business notes to share with you. Due to continued social distancing guidelines we have decided to postpone the EACM annual meeting that is typically held at the end of May to sometime this fall. Our current directors whose terms were set to expire have all volunteered to remain for a slightly extended term, until such time as the elections can take place. Additionally, the current Board of Director meetings have moved online. If you are interested in attending a BOD meeting, please use the email address below to request attendance. 

In just a few short years, the co–op has become an established presence in the East Aurora community; providing a sense of stability and comfort as we face uncertain times together. We will continue to provide all who enter good food, in a safe and welcoming environment! 

If you have any questions or comments, we would like to hear from you. Please reach out to us at [email protected]eastaurora.coop. 

Thank you and stay well! 

Your Board of Directors 

---

May 13, 2020   MEALS TO-GO!  Plan your meals in advance! Visit our website and select from a full menu of delicious, prepared meals, to order for curbside or in-store pickup. View the menu

---

April 18, 2020

NEW: FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED IN-STORE   Per regulations from NYS. Thank you for wearing yours to keep staff, fellow shoppers and yourself safe!

FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER
Thank you. Thank you for shopping local and supporting your store during circumstances none of us could have anticipated. Thank you for your patience, for choosing safety. Thank you for being flexible, kind to your neighbors, for rolling with new systems and changes over the last month and into the future. Our community store has never been so truly community-based as it is today.

Most of all, thank you for your gratitude and appreciation of co-op staff. Their jobs at the grocery store took a significant turn last month, and the co-op team has shown incredible dedication, selflessness and courage in the face of enormous challenge. Please continue to extend your thanks and grace to the staff in-store.

Many of you are stocking up with larger shops less frequently and shopping solo, which helps to limit exposure for you and staff. Please continue to keep 6 feet between you and all others, pay by credit/debit when possible and sanitize frequently. Thank you for helping to create a safe shopping space for everyone!   Jess Armbrust, General Manager

---

March 20, 2020

In recent weeks, our world and our co-op have experienced changes like never before. Thank you for choosing the co-op to provide you with necessities, nourishment and care during this time, and for your kindness, patience and words of gratitude throughout. Several announcements to end a wild week.

NEW HOURS
9am-8pm Temporary hours during COVID-19 outbreak
8am-9am Golden Hour Reserved for seniors most susceptible to COVID-19.

HOW TO SHOP THE CO-OP NOW
As we move forward, we must work together to keep the co-op’s doors open by creating a safe place for shopping and working in the store.

Before shopping

• Stay home at any signs of illness.
• Plan ahead + consolidate shopping trips. Work with friends and family as you can.
• One family member at a time if possible. Please leave children at home. Less folks = more space.

While shopping

• Maintain six feet between you and others, always. No exceptions.
• Keep it clean in-store Use sanitizer, cover coughs/sneezes, only touch items you purchase.
• Buy what you need, not more. Per the CDC, please limit purchases to no more than a two-week supply so that there is enough for others. High demand items are limited to 2 per customer.
• Pay with credit / debit whenever possible. Limit the spread of germs through cash transactions.

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
As with grocery stores nationwide, many of the co-op’s suppliers are struggling to meet demand for products. Primarily, this is not indicative of overall supply, but distribution capability. The shelves will not be replenished in full at once. Co-op buyers are prioritizing essentials in working with vendors on upcoming orders.

CARE FOR CO-OP STAFF
The folks in the store are working with the public daily – choosing to provide our community with fresh food in this time of crisis. While shopping, please maintain a distance of six feet from staff (step back at the registers), and extend your gratitude for their dedication.

More changes may be coming to help ensure the safety of customers and staff alike. Updates will be provided via email, Facebook and Instagram, and at eastaurora.coop. Stay tuned.

We all look forward to returning to business as usual in the future. It’s an honor to serve our community through this challenge. Thank you for choosing the co-op.

Jessica Armbrust
General Manager

---

March 18, 2020

Beginning Thursday, March 19, the co-op will have reduced hours, 9am-8pm daily.

NEW Golden Hour: 8-9am  SENIORS ONLY  Reserved just for senior shoppers. This time immediately-post cleaning and low on crowds will be safer for the most vulnerable population of our community.

 

---

 

March 14, 2020

East Aurora Co-op shoppers and member-owners,

Like you, we have been closely following the spread of COVID-19. At the co-op, the safety of our community and staff is our first priority. Management and staff are working together to maintain regular, consistent service and products you rely on while further emphasizing the health of shoppers, owners and staff during this time.

In light of this evolving situation, I’m writing to update you on measures being taken to maintain a safe place at the co-op for all of us:

In-store

• Thus far, our co-op has had no reported COVID-19 infections. Staff have been instructed to stay home at any signs of illness.

• Staff are doubling down on cleaning and sanitizing procedures, with an extra emphasis on areas prone to frequent public handling or use like payment machines, scales, restrooms, carts and hand baskets. Hot and cold bar utensils are changed on an hourly basis.

• Hand sanitizer dispensers are in store by each main door and staff are working to bring wipes in for in-store use when you shop.

• Buyers are working closely with suppliers to keep shelves stocked as normal. At this moment, we expect to receive usual deliveries of most products, outside some personal and home sanitizing items that are indefinitely out of stock from manufacturers due to the spike in sales. Staff are working to identify alternatives to those items.

Changes for You

• Passive sampling is on hold. Active demos, staffed by co-op employees or vendors will remain in place for now as we continue to track the situation and seek direction from health agencies.

• Personal and reusable cups and containers cannot be accepted at this time. While shopping at the co-op in the coming weeks, please use the packaging provided in-store. Of course, options for reuse will be re-implemented in the future when authorities indicate it’s safe to do so.

Let’s work together  All shoppers, and employees will need to partner together in this effort. We will all  rely on one another to stay home at any sign of illness, and to reduce opportunities to spread sickness. The CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) have advice on how to be responsible to protect yourself—and by extension, our community.

Recommendations from authorities may change quickly. Co-op management will be intently watching for updates, and will react accordingly in those moments implementing protocols recommended by health agencies. Right now, we’re continuing with planned promotions and production. I hope our co-op can be a bright, safe place for many.

You have choices when you buy your groceries and prepared foods. Thank you for relying on your co-op to provide your essentials and to help to nourish you and your families, now and always.

Jessica Armbrust
General Manager