GM | William Rolfs Greetings to our Members and Customers,
315 W. Garden Street Pensacola, Fl 32502 850-438-0402 1000 E. Nine Mile Road Pensacola, Fl 32514 850-316-3700 everman.org facebook.com/EvermanCoop instagram.com/evermancoop
Stephanie Sharp Marketing & Member Services Manager
Jason Marcum Graphic Designer
Contributors LauraLee Nichols Jordan Zeman Ellen Bell Kalie Schwamb
As I’m sure all can agree, the past couple months have been a crazy time. The Coronavirus Pandemic has caused many changes in the world. We have all changed the way we interact with our friends, neighbors and other acquaintances. I miss a good solid handshake, fist bump or even a hug from a close friend or relative. Just a few months ago, we didn’t think twice. Times have sure changed. Things have changed in business as well. As an essential business, we have never closed. We have been here to make sure our members, customers and employees have what they need to sustain their families. We have made many changes in the way we operate our stores. First, I would have to note, as a grocery store, we fight food bourne bacteria that cause illness every day. While this is not the same as the Coronavirus, you can kill the virus in the same ways. CDC recommends that you wash your hands multiple times per day, more often, if you are very active outside of your home. They have said that soap and water will eliminate the virus on your hands and hard surfaces. This is also true with most bacteria that cause food bourne illnesses. As your local food cooperative, we have always kept a very clean store. Over the past few months, we have multiplied our efforts many times over. The examples below show a lot of the increased focus of our team but is not an exhaustive list. • •
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2 | THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE
Installed plexiglass sneeze guards between our cashiers and customer areas. Closed the self-service areas of our Cafes in each store. Went to a more pre-packaged solution at the Garden Street store. Closed the front of the food bar and turned to full service at Nine Mile store. Provided cashiers and Café staff with extra cleaning and sanitizing supplies including gloves and hand sanitizer to use between customers. Having staff sanitize every door handle including office doors, restroom doors, freezer and cooler doors and display doors every couple hours. Suspend all sampling with exception of small tastes from behind the Café requested by the customer. Cancel in person classes and starting a few on-line offerings. Thanks to our wonderful instructors for changing quickly to a Facebook
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Live type class. We hope to be able to resume classes soon. Sanitize every shopping cart and basket daily. Provided wipes while they were available and cleaning supplies for customers who would like to clean handles prior to using carts and baskets. We also added gloves near the shopping carts and the bulk foods area. Constantly train and remind all staff members to use Social Distancing guidelines as they work around the store. Staff may seem a little impersonal, but rest assured, if you need assistance, you just need to ask. We are all here to help. Our Managers and buyers have been hard at work sourcing hard to find items like milk, eggs, bread and even toilet paper. We have found unconventional methods to provide you with items we could not source via our normal channels. One example being toilet paper. We have purchase well over 100 cases of toilet paper that would normally go to hotels and schools. Hotels and schools are mostly closed, so we found a supplier to sell us their normal products. Just last week, we started Curbside Pickup to further offer an even safer way to grocery shop. We have started with about 3,000 items, but will soon start adding more of our 15,000 items available in the stores. We are currently offering this service at our Nine Mile location only. Please visit our website www.everman.org for more information and FAQ.
Check out our website for a complete account of our Coronavirus response. As you can see, we have been very busy. Our employees have been on the front line and I would like to give them a heartfelt “THANK YOU” from me and the management staff. I am so proud of the team we have assembled. We could not do what we do without them. Please know that our team will continue to do everything possible to supply you and your family with the products you need and enjoy. Stay safe and watch out for others. We are strong and will get through this as neighbors. PENSACOLA STRONG! Hope to see you in one of the stores soon,
