We’re continuing to work hard to keep our store clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. We’ve implemented many procedures and policies during the pandemic, most of which follow CDC and NH State guidelines. We’re committed to doing the best we can to take care of our customers and our staff, while still keeping our shelves stocked with essentials.
Currently, masks are optional for Members, customers, and employees at the Co-op, but please be considerate of others.
For general questions please call the store at (603) 444-2800, or email your comments to info@littletoncoop.org.
Covid-19 Cases at the Co-op
Our staff self-monitors for Covid symptoms, and if symptomatic they must stay home and get tested before returning to work. In the case of a positive employee or close exposure, we have a set of policies and procedures we follow to support the employee, assess the risk level, and to notify our community. Here’s an archive of our case history.
Fortunately, our policy of social distancing and wearing masks does an excellent job of protecting our community from COVID-19 transmission within the Co-op. We appreciate your support and cooperation!
Health & Safety Policies
We have many procedures already in place to help protect the safety of our employees, members, and shoppers—procedures we rely on to reduce the spread of foodborne illness and seasonal colds and flu every year. We will regularly update this page as the situation progresses, so please check back for updates.
Masks are optional, but please be considerate of others around you.
Stay 6 feet away from other people while you shop.
Shop alone whenever possible to minimize the number of people in the store.
If you are sick or have symptoms of Covid-19, please do not enter the store.
Keepin’ It Clean
We are making extra efforts to keep the store clean and sanitized, particularly in high-contact and high-traffic areas.
- We have sanitizing wipe stations in our entry and exit areas if you’d like to clean your shopping carts and baskets before use.
- We have touchless hand sanitizer stations set up throughout the store.
- Our cashiers frequently disinfect the register belts and bagging stations between each order.
- You are welcome to bring clean reusable shopping bags – please wash them frequently. We also have paper bags for 10 cents each, as well as complimentary grocery boxes for you to use.
- Our credit card pin-pads are wiped down frequently. Please use the stylus to enter your information, since that is easy to clean between uses. We encourage customers to pay with debit or credit cards if possible, since it vastly reduces the amount of cash we have to handle. We also accept touchless payments such as Google Pay and Apple Pay, which are even safer.
Social Distancing
When you visit the store you will see many reminders about social distancing, shopping solo, and wearing a mask. Please keep 6 feet away from other shoppers as well as our staff while they work, for your own safety as well as ours.
At the registers, we’ve installed plexiglass barriers to protect you as well as our cashiers. There are also marks on the floor so that you know where to stand while you wait in line, and stay a safe distance apart.
In the aisles, please give employees extra space when they are stocking. It is a difficult and challenging job keeping the shelves full while the store is open. Please do not reach over employees or other shoppers to retrieve something from the shelves. Maintain a safe 6-foot distance and ask about the item you need. Our staff will gladly move aside or reach the item for you.
Here are some of the policies (and tips) we’ve implemented to keep everyone safe & healthy:
Supporting Our Staff
Out of care for our community, our policy has always been for staff to remain at home when they are unwell. All of our employees accumulate paid time off to cover sick time.
We have several options in place to provide paid time off for those employees who are self-isolating due to illness or immune vulnerabilities, as well as those who need to stay home to look after their children.
Events and Meetings
In order to promote healthy social distancing practices, we have moved our monthly Board Meetings online.
Supply Chain Issues
You may have heard stories about grocery stores running out of food and household needs as consumers stock up on the essentials. One of our strengths is that we source from multiple suppliers and don’t pull from a central warehouse. We are working diligently with our suppliers to keep essentials and pantry staples in stock, but please bear with us as some items may become out of stock or unavailable.
Work with Us
Finally, we ask all of our members, shoppers, and employees to partner with us in this. Please be courteous and mindful as you shop, realizing we are all working through these challenges together. Please be patient when needing to wait, or when a product is unavailable due to supplier issues.
If you are not comfortable shopping in-person, we offer a Curbside Pickup Service for Co-op Members.
Learn More
More thoughts or questions? Reach out anytime. For general questions please call the store at (603) 444-2800 or email your comments to info@littletoncoop.org.
Please remember that our employees on the front lines have their hands full with the challenging new essential position they have found themselves in, and it’s important that we protect their health and well-being, too. If you have a concern or suggestion, please ask for a manager. You can also email cwhiton@littletoncoop.org. We will be glad to listen and provide assistance.
