ABODE: HIGHLIGHTS

Food shopping HIGH LIGHTS

compiled by Kayla Zastrow

Grocery shopping is essential, of course, and one of the few allowable reasons to be around other people during Wisconsin’s Safer at Home order, now extended to May 26 (the Tuesday after Memorial Day holiday). But feeling wary of a crowded store is understandable, so most grocery stores around Wausau—and across the U.S. — are offering services such as curbside pick-up, delivery services, and special hours for those at higher risk for the Covid-19 illness.

These special accommodations have seen mixed results—many local people have bemoaned wait times of several days for pre-ordered grocery delivery or pick-up— and every store varies in what special services they offer. One Wausau resident tells City Pages she didn’t know what to expect when placing an online grocery store order for the first time from Pick’n Save. She was surprised that the earliest her order could be picked up was nearly three days later.

Turns out, wait times for grocery orders can vary from day to day, depending on demand, when you place your order, and when exactly you can pick it up. As grocery stores streamline these systems to keep up with the increased demand, wait times in general seem to be decreasing compared to earlier in April. A few stores can even handle same-day pick-up in some cases.

One significant drawback to placing orders for pick-up or delivery is product availability. If items on your list are not in stock when the order is being fulfilled, or if substitution aren’t available, they will be removed from your order.

Some stores have designated special shopping hours for health care workers, senior-aged shoppers, and those with health conditions that place them at higher risk for the coronavirus. One Wausau resident in his 60s says he uses the special early-morning hours because he feels the store is cleaner and much less crowded. He observes that seniors aren’t the only ones shopping at these hours. He sees people in a range of ages, and estimates that a third of the customers wore face masks for extra protection.

Some stores have installed clear plastic shields at checkout lanes to protect employees, and many no longer allow personal reusable shopping bags into the store. Some have placed floor markers six feet apart to help patrons distance from each other while standing in line to check out.

Here are some details to know about regular and alternative ways to shop for groceries around the Wausau area:

Instacart

• Instacart is a third-party service that lets you shop from some local stores online. They send a shopper to the store to fulfill and deliver your order.

• Minimum order is currently $35.

• Select delivery timeframe when placing the order through the website or app. Due to high demand now, delivery dates may be further out than usual.

• Details and list of stores at instacart.com

Crossroads County Market

WAUSAU · 220 S. 18TH AVE. | OPEN 6 AM-10 PM 715-845-8846 | JERRYSCOUNTYMARKET.COM

• Special hours 6:00–7:00 am for health care professionals, first responders, the elderly and high-risk customers. The store asks that other customers wait until after 7:00 am to shop.

• Order online through instacart.com for delivery only. No preorder pickup available.

Trig’s

WAUSAU · 110 S. 17TH AVE. | OPEN 24 HOURS 715-849-8744 · TRIGS.COM

WESTON · 6205 BUS. HWY 51 | OPEN 6 AM-10 PM 715-359-0451 · TRIGSTOGO.COM

• Pick-up is free and grocery orders must be placed online a minimum of two hours before selected pick-up time. Time slots for pick-up range from 8 am-8 pm. $30 order minimum.

• Delivery is also available for orders $30 or more. Delivery is free up to five times through the end of May using offer code 5FREE at checkout. Additional deliveries $4.99.

• No special shopping hours, but the store recommends elderly, disabled or at-risk guests visit earlier in the day.

• Deli food and meals, like Friday fish fry, is available for pick-up in store or curbside 11 am-6 pm. Check their Facebook page or website for deli specials. Place deli orders online at trigs.com at least 60 minutes in advance.

Lamb’s Fresh Market

RIB MOUNTAIN · 2900 RIB MOUNTAIN DR. OPEN 6 AM-8:30 PM · 715-848-2793

WAUSAU · 730 E. WAUSAU AVE. · OPEN 6 AM-8:30 PM · 715-845-6703 LAMBSFRESHMARKET.COM

• Preorder pick-up available only at Wausau location for $5, or less depending on order total. Place order online, select pick-up time at checkout. Time slots for pick-up range from 10 am-6 pm. Park in designated spot and they will bring the groceries to your car.

• No special shopping hours, the store encourages elderly and those at highrisk to visit before 7:00 am.

• No delivery option available

Pick’n Save

WAUSAU · 205 CENTRAL BRIDGE ST. | OPEN 6 AM-9 PM · 715-849-1323 · PICKNSAVE.COM

ROTHSCHILD · 10101 MARKET ST. | OPEN 6 AM-9 PM · 715-241-0191

SCHOFIELD · 2806 SCHOFIELD AVE. | OPEN 6 AM-9 PM · 715-359-9123

• Exclusive shopping hours at all stores for seniors 60+ and higher-risk individuals 6-8 am daily

• Free store pick-up available. Select desired pick-up time when placing order online or through the Pick’n Save app. Time slots for pick-up available 8 am-8 pm. Park in designated parking spot at scheduled time, call the number on the sign and the store will bring the items to your car.

• Delivery (via the store’s own service) may be available within just a few hours for $9.95. Place orders online and select delivery time during checkout. But due to increased demand, wait times may be longer, deliveries may be delayed and inventory may be limited

• Delivery also available through Instacart

ALDI

RIB MOUNTAIN · 4401 RIB MOUNTAIN DR. OPEN MON., WED. & FRI.-SUN. 9 AM-7 PM; TUES. & THURS. 8:30 AM-7 PM · ALDI.US

• On Tuesdays and Thursdays store opens at 8:30 am and reserves the first hour for vulnerable shoppers including senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health concerns.

• Delivery available through Instacart

• No pick-up available

Target

SCHOFIELD · 2707 SCHOFIELD AVE. | OPEN DAILY 7 AM-9 PM · 715-355-4494 · TARGET.COM

• First hour stores are open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are dedicated to shoppers age 65+, pregnant women and those considered at-risk

• Free in-store order pick-up also available for nonperishable groceries. Shop online and in the app. The store will let you know when the order is ready for pick up at Guest Services. Should be ready within 4 hours of placing order

• Free curbside pick-up available for nonperishable groceries. Shop using the Target App and the store will let you know when your order is ready to be picked up. Park in the designated spot, alert the store when you arrive and employees will load your car.

• Available for delivery through Instacart

Walmart

RIB MOUNTAIN · 4300 RIB MOUNTAIN DR. | OPEN DAILY 7 AM-8:30 PM · 715-359-2282 WALMART.COM

• Senior shopping Tuesday morning, one hour before store opens, for customer ages 60+ and those who may be vulnerable

• Walmart grocery not available for delivery in Wausau

• Free curbside pick-up available. Select pick-up time during check out. Pick-up times range from 8 am-8 pm. Shop online and use the app to check in before heading to the store to pick it up. Monday thru Saturday Dinner 5-9pm

FARM FRESH FOOD

Local customer-direct farms like Red Door are offering preorder and pick up for their products and vegetables

This Saturday, April 25, marks the final day for the Wausau Winter Market, now located outside of Whitewater Music Hall on River Drive, 8–11 am. Then the outdoor farmers markets begin for the season Saturday, May 2: the Wausau Farmers Market and Bull Falls Markets (both on River Drive) and the Weston Farmers Market.

To address coronavirus social distancing and concerns, some farmers/producers are offering curbside pick-up, where you pay in advance or with credit card upon pick up. If you do get out of your car, please socially distance. Details at farmersmarketofwausau.com and on Facebook.

Some local farms also have started delivering their products, allowing customers to pick up orders at the farm, or even order products online in advance to be picked up at local farmers markets. Here are a few examples:

Stoney Acres

• Missing Stoney Acres’ pizza nights on the farm? Owner Tony Schultz is now freezing his zas and packaging them for pick-up and home delivery, along with their handcrafted beer, vegetables, pantry items, meat, eggs and dairy products. These items and preordered pizzas can also be picked up at the Wausau markets.

• Delivery available to Wausau, Athens and Merrill on Thursdays and Saturdays; or Marshfield, Stratford and Medford on Wednesdays. On-site pick up also available if you call ahead. $50 order minimum.

• View full list of products available and delivery details at stoneyacresfarm.net/ home-delivery or call 715-432-6285.

Cattail Organics

• Preorder items to be delivered to Wausau markets on Saturdays. Place orders by 11 am Friday. Items include honey, kale, basil, maple syrup, potatoes and more. Details at cattailorganics.com.

Red Door Family Farm

• Order online to pick up at Wausau Winter Market or at the farm. Items include maple syrup, spinach, organic eggs and CSA shares. Place order by noon Friday to be picked up at Wausau farmers markets. Items also can be purchased on the farm Fridays 12-8 pm, call ahead. Shopreddoorfamilyfarm.com

Ninepatch

• Preorder items to pick up at the Wausau markets on Saturdays. Place order by 4 pm Friday. Also open for onsite farm pick ups anytime. Items include veggies, pastured chicken, turkey and pork and grassfed beef. Call or text orders to 651-368-1038 or email ninepatch99@gmail.com.