Since the pandemic hit in March, local supermarkets have seen considerable changes in the buying routines of shoppers. Even after the Safer at Home Order ended, trips to the grocery stores have trended down compared to before COVID-19. Alex Stodola, store manager at Stodola’s IGA in Luxemburg, says people are filling their carts even more and limiting visits to once a week, rather than two or three times. He notes that people are definitely purchasing more produce and frozen foods instore.
Produce sales are up 11 percent nationally this year, according to the Produce Marketing Association. The American Frozen Food Institute reports that frozen foods sales remained up almost 18 percent last month. Stodola adds that online shopping has leveled off but is still strong since implementing the digital option back in March.
