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For those who live in Orlando or just dropping by for a week-long vacation or weekend escapade, it is vital to be familiar with the highly recommended grocery stores in the area. Whether you are living in one of the eclectic neighborhoods in Orlando or the greater metropolitan region, you can find a good selection of grocery stores to buy your supplies.
If you require the essentials, ranging from toothpaste, paper towels, pasta, canned fruits or vegetables, and even deli meats, you can head straight to any of these grocery stores in Orlando today.
Safety measures by grocery stores during a pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect countries all over the globe, it resulted in significant changes in our daily lives – including how you shop for groceries. These past few months since the start of the pandemic, grocery stores have taken serious measures to safeguard the health of customers, especially since these stores stay open because they are an essential service. Let us now take a close look at some of the measures taken by grocery stores to protect their customers.
Sneeze guards
Sneeze guards can be utilized as a safety measure such as food protection in sections that handle fresh and hot foods. They serve as a barrier between customers and the food to prevent contamination. The sneeze guards are also used in checkout areas to provide a protective barrier between the customers and checkout personnel. The sneeze guards work by blocking particles from the nose and mouth from others nearby.
Face coverings
Face masks or any type of coverings are also common in grocery stores. Since the use of a face mask is mandatory in several states, it is vital to wear one when buying groceries. Even in some states where face masks are not required, most are asking customers to wear one if possible as a protective measure against COVID-19.
Hygiene
Grocery stores are providing more options for both customers and staff to observe good hygiene at all times. Some of these measures include a regular deep cleaning routine of the store especially areas regularly touched by customers such as shopping cart handles, checkout belts, and other fixtures. Hand sanitizing stations at the entrance and exit of supermarkets are also common.
Social distancing measures
Another way in which grocery stores limit the spread of COVID-19 is by reducing the number of customers allowed inside the store at a time. This is aimed at encouraging customers to observe social distancing, ensuring that each person has enough space to maintain at least 1-2 meters from one another. In some stores, there are one-way systems around the store to prevent customers from getting close to each other along with floor markings as a guide on where to stand in lines.
Recommended grocery stores with COVID-19 measures in Orlando
Let us now take a close look at some of the recommended grocery stores in Orlando to find your pantry staples or something special you might need at the moment. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, rest assured that these stores have safety and hygienic measures to ensure a safe shopping experience.
Walmart
When it comes to your daily supplies and staples at home, you can find almost everything that you need at Walmart.
- Requiring the use of face masks or coverings
- Enhanced cleaning routines including the spraying of carts after use, installation of plastic shields at registers, and doubling the number of health ambassadors to staff both entrances
- Social distancing floor decals and divided vestibule to separate the entrances and exits
- Starting November 14, the store hours will be 7 AM to 11 PM to provide customers with more options to shop.
- Senior shopping hour every Tuesday for customers age 60 and older. This will start an hour before the store opens.
- Curbside pickup and delivery options
ALDI
For those who love to go shopping at the ALDI stores throughout the country, they are open from 9 AM to 7 PM daily. Remember that some stores might have limited hours to accommodate restocking of supplies and cleaning. If you cannot go to the store, you can order your groceries and have them delivered.
- Limiting the number of people inside the stores.
- Providing one-way aisles and floor markings to separate customers by six feet
- Installation of Plexiglass barriers at checkout
- Staff must wear face masks or coverings during their shifts.
- No-cash pay and contactless payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Curbside pick-up at certain locations
- Grocery delivery service on its website and app.
The Fresh Market
The overall ambiance in Fresh Market is warm and inviting complemented by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The Fresh Market boasts a wide selection of organic and natural foods, including a top-quality meat department and vibrant produce section. Do not forget to check out the deli section with its vast selection of freshly prepared options including salads, soups, and entrees along with assorted vegetarian items.
In the latest updates from The Fresh Market, they will temporarily change their operating hours for stores that currently have extended hours. All stores will open between 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. During the weekdays, the first shopping hour of 8 AM to 9 AM will be reserved for seniors and other individuals at risk.
Guests who do not fall into these categories should respect these special hours for the high-risk categories outlined by the CDC, so they feel safe and comfortable while shopping. Delivery of groceries is also offered as an option.
- Both guests and staff are required to wear face coverings.
- Limiting face-to-face contact with others – stay two carts (or six feet) apart.
- Designated team members perform routine disinfection of high touch point areas.
- Temperature checks for the staff before the start of their shift
- Installation of Plexiglass shields at checkout lane and contactless credit card payments.
Target
A well-known name when it comes to shopping is no other than Target. Drop by to enjoy a wide selection of items that can cater to all your shopping needs. You will enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with great products at affordable prices.
- Increased cleaning schedules in the store
- Monitoring and metering at customer access points
- Implementing quantity limits on in-demand items
- Installation of Plexiglass shields at check lanes
- Requiring the use of face masks or coverings
- Maintaining social distancing inside the facility
- Dedicated shopping hours for high-risk customers and staff
- Regular sanitization of carts and baskets between use
Publix
When it comes to pantry staples, Publix is a go-to store. With its superior customer service and weekly BOGO deals, this is the ideal one-stop-shop.
Stores offer a wide selection of departments that are worth checking out including deli, bakery, meat, fresh produce, beer, seafood, wine, floral, pharmacy, and many more. For health-conscious individuals, you should not miss out on Publix’s GreenWise brand of organic packaged foods and meats.
Publix stores and Publix Pharmacies are open from 7 AM to 8 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to allow guests age 65 years old and up to go on shopping ahead of the crowds.
The store hours for the general public are 8 AM to 8 PM daily. Publix also offers online shopping for home delivery, in-store pick-up, or even curbside pick-up.
- Limiting the number of people inside the stores.
- Providing one-way aisles and floor markings to separate customers by six feet
- Installation of Plexiglass barriers at checkout
- Staff must wear face masks or coverings during their shifts.
- No-cash pay and contactless payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Curbside pick-up at certain locations
- Grocery delivery service on its website and app.
Trader Joe’s
At Trader Joe’s, you will enjoy affordable prices and a good selection of natural and organic products. Whether you need to buy basic supplies or indulgent treats, you will find what you need. Do not forget to check out the selection of fresh-cut flowers, produce, and great deals on nuts and nut butter, dried fruit, cheeses, and canned goods.
Trader Joe’s stores are open from 9 AM up to 7 PM.
- Wellness checks on staff before the start of each shift.
- Prioritizing seniors over 60 years old and customers with disabilities who require additional assistance while shopping.
- Providing continuous reminders on good hygiene practices.
- Limiting the number of people in the store
Whole Foods
As the national organic grocery chain, Whole Foods is a well-known name. If you are nearby the Turkey Lane location, it boasts a full-service juice, coffee, and wine bar. In the Winter Park location, it is similar to a mega-version of the smaller stores.
All the Central Florida Whole Foods branches are open from 8 AM to 8 PM daily. Guests who are 60 years old and up can start shopping at 7 AM daily.
- Enhanced daily cleanliness and sanitation protocols
- Crowd control measures that limit the capacity of customers
- Installation of Plexiglass barriers to protect customers and team members. Dedicated team members will perform sanitization measures including regular cleaning and sterilizing of every shopping cart and credit card reader.
- Increased availability of hand sanitizer stations for both guests and staff
Winn Dixie
Winn Dixie has a specific shopping hour that is dedicated to seniors and high-risk individuals from 8 AM to 9 AM from Monday up to Friday in all stores. The stores are open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.
- Limiting the number of customers shopping at peak times and installation of social distancing markers on the floor and Plexiglass divisions at all store registers, pharmacies, customer service reception, and liquor store stalls.
- Touch-free payment option at checkouts.
- Temperature checks on staff and the wearing of masks and gloves.
Bravo
Unlike with other chain grocers, the Bravo stores are independently owned and operated. This allows each store to stock on products for its particular neighborhood, making each location unique.
- Curbside pick-up and delivery options
- Requiring the use of face masks or coverings for both staff and guests
- Hand sanitizing stations
- Implementing social distancing whenever possible
Final thoughts
When it comes to the selection of grocery stores in Orlando, you have good choices to choose from depending on your specific needs. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, these grocery stores have implemented hygienic and safety measures to ensure the safety of both the staff and guests. If you need to stock up on your pantry essentials or buying something special, drop by at one of these recommended grocery stores in Orlando.