Early risers take advantage of ‘golden hour’ shopping dedicated to seniors, vulnerable people

A new trend is sweeping the nation to help feed vulnerable members of the population and provide more access to grocery stores in the wake of the spread of COVID-19.

Dubbed the golden hour by many grocery chains across the country, grocers are opening their doors early and dedicating the first hour of shopping to seniors, people with disabilities and vulnerable members of the population since that is when stores are freshly sanitized.

Brent Pittman isn’t used to shopping at 7 a.m., but since he suffers from severe asthma, he figured it was the best time to leave his home for the first time in a week.

“I have a compromised (immune) system, so for a chance to get out and not be around people makes me feel safer,” he said. “Truthfully, I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

Pittman was one of roughly a dozen people at Save-On-Foods to shop as early as the store would allow him in the store’s most sanitary conditions of the day.

Garth Gellner was pleased to be able to leave the house for a short while as he attempts to enjoy the small breaks from isolation when he feels safe to do so.

“We all got to get out and live a little bit, but we got to be careful,” Gellner said. “It feels comfortable knowing you don’t have to be stressed out about different people around that you don’t know.”

Save-On-Foods isn’t the only chain adapting its hours. All Co-op locations near Saskatoon have made similar arrangements, as well as the Loblaws group of companies and Sobeys.

Starting tomorrow, Mar 18, all #yxecoop Food Stores will designate the first hour of every day for elderly shoppers and those who are most vulnerable. Please respect this time to allow our vulnerable guests and those over 65 years of age to shop with limited exposure to crowds. pic.twitter.com/TbA9O7lBWY

— Saskatoon Co-op (@yxeCoop) March 17, 2020

Another concern for shoppers is the online ordering system. One woman shopping for her husband who has cancer said her online order wouldn’t be filled for over a week. Pittman’s wait was even longer.

“It was going to take 10 days to get food. I thought, ‘well, we’ll just have to wait and see,’” Pittman said, adding that the golden hour of shopping was the only way he would leave his house for groceries.

While many people shopping were making the trip as short as possible, Gellner was quick to mention the men and women stocking shelves and keeping stores operating in an uncertain time.

“I just want to thank the staff and the stores for being here all day and helping us out. It’s good for me to come out early and get it done. I appreciate it,” he said.

Thereese Marie Gagne felt the golden hour from grocery stores, Facebook care groups and local businesses offering delivery during this time is a sign of the compassion in the community.

“It’s just the most wonderful outpouring of care I’ve experienced,” she said. “I like to accentuate the positives because there’s lots out there to be grateful and joyful about.”