06/11/20 – Online/Phone/Email Ordering with Curbside Pick-up Continues with $5 fee
Recently we announced a new $5 fee for our curbside grocery pick-up service. In response to a few concerns about the fee, we paused implementation of the fee and are writing to provide more context and background for this decision.
From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the Oneota Community Food Co-op has been focused on the safety of our shoppers, staff, growers and suppliers, and community. We closed our store to outside traffic on March 12 and implemented online and phone ordering with curbside pickup, not knowing what the future of this service would look like once we opened our doors again. We are grateful for the outpouring of patience, dedication, and support from our hard-working staff and our members and shoppers as we launched this service.
We are happy to announce that we will be able to continue curbside pick-up as we navigate the complexities of life in a pandemic. Our senior customers and those who are immune-compromised have expressed their appreciation for this service and we are happy to continue it weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
We continue to learn how to manage the operation and financial sustainability of online services in addition to returning to our full-service in-store shopping. The Oneota Co-op is committed to providing a living (and better) wage for our staff. There are significant labor costs associated with food delivery in a time of pandemic. In order to continue providing curbside pick-up, we will be implementing a $5 fee for all online and phone orders beginning Tuesday, June 16. The revenue from this fee directly supports the additional labors costs needed to continue this service into the future.
We are grateful to have several shopping options for customers. The Co-op is open to customer foot traffic every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Curbside pick-up is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday each week (more information can be found below in previous updates). We will be adding a special hour (Mondays from 9:00 to 10:00 am) for our seniors and immune-compromised customers beginning Monday, June 22. Many of our customers who want to stay home have also had friends and others shop for them. You can also get in touch with the Decorah Mutual Aid Network (https://decorahnow.com/mutual-aid-network/) to be connected with a volunteer if you need assistance. Make sure your shopper gives the cashier the correct member number if you are a member so that your patronage is tracked.
We could not be more grateful for our staff, customers, suppliers, and the Decorah community for your support during this time. You are what makes our Co-op special. It is our commitment and honor to be rooted in our downtown community, keeping you fed, supplied, and safe now and in the future.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please feel free to contact General Manager, David Lester, at gm@oneotacoop.com.
CO-OP UPDATE 05/28/20 – The Co-op will open to foot traffic beginning June 1st.
We will be operating in our current workflow through this Friday (5/29). We will be closed this Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st. This is to allow us to get the store ready to open on Monday (6/1).
Beginning Monday, June 1st, our doors will be open and we will be welcoming customers back inside the store. Store hours will be 10:00 am to 7:00 pm every day.
We ask that customers join in the effort to keep us all safe:
- Wear a mask. We will be requiring customers to wear a mask into the store. During the first two weeks of re-opening the Seamsters Union of Winneshiek County have provided us with enough masks to give out to customers who do not have one. A suggested donation of $3-$5 for each mask will be much appreciated to keep this group making masks for our community!
- Practice good hygiene. There are multiple hand sanitizing stations throughout the store – including in our entryway. Please use them, our employees are doing the same.
- Wash your hands. A portable hand washing sink will be placed in our entryway and we expect customers to wash and/or sanitize their hands before entering the sales floor. Public restroom access will not be available in-store.
- Limit the number of those shopping. In order to keep a safe number of customers shopping in the store, we ask that you try to limit your shopping group to yourself or one other person. Motorized store cart use will no longer be available.
- Plan ahead. Keep your shopping trip as efficient and brief as possible. We want to make sure you find everything you are looking for and we will have some staff on the floor to help you find everything you need.
- Socially distance yourself. Please maintain physical distance between yourself and others. We recommend a minimum of 6 feet. You will also see floor decals and other signage to help remind you.
- Elevated cleaning procedures. Our employees adhere to strict CDC and National Cooperative Grocer cleaning standards. Additionally, we have enhanced these standards to clean and sanitize high frequency touchpoints like door handles, registers, trash receptacles, keypads and self-service dispensers.
- Pay by credit/debit. Please come prepared to pay with a bank/credit card or mobile pay, if possible. Cards are more hygienic than cash payment. Cash or check will be allowed if absolutely necessary but are not preferred.
Online/Phone Order Fulfillment Continues after June 1st
We will continue to fulfill online, phone, and email orders. We will reduce the number of days this is offered – as well as modifying the times and deadlines for these orders. Order fulfillment will be reduced to Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. The deadline for online and email order to be fulfilled on these days will be 6:00 pm the previous day. So, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday by 6:00 pm. Phone orders will only be taken from 9:00 to 10:00 am on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday for fulfillment that day. There will be two windows of time for storefront/curbside pick-up. These will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
Water Refills – Reverse Osmosis Machine
We will be allowing water refills of bottles larger than 64 oz at our water refill station beginning June 1st. Customers will be expected to handle these refills themselves and we will be providing bottles of sanitizing spray for customers to use to pre/post sanitize their bottles as well as the machine/station.
Bulk Department/Offering Changes
Reusable containers for anything other than water will NOT be allowed in the store. This means refillable bulk containers of any kind. In addition, certain items will be repacked by staff ahead of time and will no longer be available as self-serve to the customer. For the most part, scoop bins of any kind will be transitioned to repacked bags/containers. This includes bulk flours and bulk spices. The “why” is due to sanitation. We are not alone in taking these steps to ensure customer and community safety. Many food co-ops are doing the same thing at the recommendation of state and national health agencies – as well as consultation with National Co+op Grocers.
As an organization rooted in environmental responsibility we do not make this decision lightly. We are constantly assessing and reassessing our decisions and their impacts on the health of the community and the planet.
Oneota Deli
Our Deli department will be re-launching further this coming week – with expanded offerings in the grab-n-go case as well as the next evolution of the hot bar/salad bar area. These areas will no longer feature open single self-serve offerings. They will house an iteration of pre-packaged to-go foods – such as whole roasted chickens and prepared entrees and salads. Tongs are a thing of the past for the foreseeable future. Made-to-order sandwiches and menu items will not be launched at this time.
The grab-n-go cooler will be back with increased offerings – including hummus, prepared salads, heat-and-eat entrees (single and family size), cold wraps and sandwiches, and desserts.
The fresh bakery case will have the doors removed and items will be in pre-packaged containers.
Fresh-brewed coffee will be available, but will be dispensed by Deli staff. No reusable coffee cups will be allowed.
Breads
Due to the unpredictable nature of bread sales, breads that were kept on the packaged grocery shelves in the middle aisle (at room temperature) will be sold directly from the freezer section. Please note that breads that are not local to us here at the Co-op are shipped to us frozen. These breads are designed for this and it is the best way for us to ensure the optimal product for customers at this time.
A limited supply of fresh local bread from Lyn Staley will start to arrive on Monday, June 1st.
Hand Sanitizers
There are new wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the store. The easiest for customers to use right away when entering the space are in the entryway itself and then also to the left of the vegetable cooler in Produce. There are other wall-mounted units throughout the store, and we will be using additional hand sanitizer pumps spaced throughout the store.
Store Sanitization Practices
There will be increased store sanitization practices in place behind the scenes as well as on the sales floor. These are suggested practices from NCG (National Co+op Grocers), the CDC, and state agencies. These practices will include (but are not limited to) routine sanitizing of door handles, bulk bin handles, carts, and other high-traffic surfaces.
Register Sanitization
We will be sanitizing register surfaces after each customer. This will include the register belts, card terminals, writing surfaces, etc.
Stocking the Shelves
Products will be stocked on the shelves outside of the hours customers are present as much as possible.
Sampling
There will be no sampling performed in the store at this time.
Restrooms
The restrooms will be closed to the public until further notice.
Seating Area
The seating area will be closed to customers until further notice. This area will be used for cart sanitizing and as the staging area for online/phone/email orders.
Thank You
As you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Oneota Co-op at customerservice@oneotacoop.com.
Previous store updates can be found below...
CO-OP UPDATE 04/29/20 – Oneota Co-op continues modified operation through end of May – AND WE’VE ADDED SATURDAYS!
Despite Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ announcement on April 27th to partially re-open several businesses in the state, places of worship, malls and other social gathering spaces in 77 counties, (including Winneshiek county) the Oneota Community Co-op will not be opening its doors to the general public at this time. This decision was made by our own (internal) Emergency Response Team and has the full support of our seven Board of Directors.
This decision was based on reliable data from the Iowa Department of Health (IDPH), the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IMHE) and other local and national health organizations and input from our staff, members and customers. This is definitely not the time to open our doors to the general public as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise at an alarming rate in Winneshiek county and other surrounding counties. From day one, when we decided to do business with only our online and phone ordering system with storefront pickup, we had the health of our staff and our customers as the number one priority. We are proud to announce that this system of safely shopping for groceries will continue at least until May 30.
Look for continuous updates from us on our website, our Facebook and Instagram pages as we continue to provide our community with the best local and organic options to keep you and your family healthy. Beginning Monday, May 11 we will be re-launching our Deli offerings for those of you who are tired of cooking for the last two months! Look for roasted chickens, large containers of homemade soups, entrees with sides and large salads for the whole family!
You can place an order by visiting our online store at oneota-coop.myshopify.com, following the link on oneotacoop.com or by calling us Mon-Sat from 9-1 at 563-382-4666.
Thank you for your patronage over the last seven weeks and some day we will see all of your smiling faces in the store, even if they are covered with a mask. Be well.
David Lester, General Manager
CO-OP UPDATE 03/18/20 – Post 1 – Phone and Online Ordering Procedure
The Co-op is officially closed to customer foot traffic until further notice. We made this move to ensure that we can provide the safest environment possible for our staff and that we can continue to provide groceries and supplies to our customers in a safe manner.
PHONE ORDERS
The Co-op, as all grocery stores in the area, is an essential business for our community and this virus has forced us to think about how we can do business in different ways. Starting at 9:00 am tomorrow – Wednesday, March 18th – we will be accepting phone orders from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. Phone orders placed before 1:00 pm Monday through Friday must have their order picked up by 3:00 pm at the very latest. We are only able to offer curbside pick-up at this time. However, if you need your order delivered, please call our friends at Hometown Taxi (563-382-3155) and arrange to have it picked up at the Co-op and delivered to you for a separate fee through Hometown Taxi. You must make arrangements directly with Hometown Taxi – including payment for their delivery. All orders will be limited to 30 items or less per order.
ONLINE ORDERS
Online orders will be submitted through a link on the Co-op website at any time. (We’re almost there!) It’s been a pretty quick turnaround for our staff to have something up and running. At 9:00 am on Wednesday, March 18th we’ll launch the site for public use. (Please understand that it may not be pretty, but it will be functional.) Again, all orders will be limited to 30 items or less per order. Starting at 9:00 am Monday through Friday our staff will look through each order from the previous evening and contact customers with any questions. Once that is complete, we’ll pass the order on to our staff of “personal shoppers” to fill the order.
PAYMENT & PICK-UP
Once any order is filled, you will receive a second phone call from our Front End staff requesting payment and to arrange for the order pick-up. Note that payment will not be accepted online. However, we will require a phone number with your online order so we can contact you. If we cannot reach a customer at this point in the process, the order will be taken off the queue and you will need to contact the Co-op to inquire about its status.
SALE ITEMS:
Prices listed online do not reflect current sales that may be happening at the store level. Shoppers will be given the sale price for any item purchased that is on sale.
Returns will NOT be allowed due to sanitation restrictions.
DISCOUNTS:
Member/owner discounts will be applied at the time of processing payment. This includes the once-a-month discount and volunteers discounts. Don’t forget your MAD Sale discount will be included if you request it on the online/phone order.
SPECIAL ORDER – ALL DEPARTMENTS:
We will continue to place special orders for member/owners and shoppers. These individuals must utilize the phone ordering system from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will be placing special orders to be filled as often as possible – instead of only weekly as was done up to this point. Delivery will depend on availability from our vendors and delivery timelines – which vary depending on the product. Shoppers who place special orders will receive a phone call when the product has arrived and will be expected to arrange for pick-up of the items as soon as possible.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE TO PICK-UP YOUR ORDER:
When you arrive to pick up your order from the Co-op, you will not be allowed inside the store. You will be expected to take the cart from our front door to your car and load the groceries into your vehicle. You will then need to return the cart of the staff person at the front door. Carts will be sanitized by staff prior to being given to you at the door and then immediately when we get them back from you at the door.
Though our actions today and in the coming days may seem extreme to some, we are firm in the belief that this is the right path for the Co-op, its staff, member/owners, shoppers, and the community. Please be diligent in practicing social distancing, but remember that human connection is what makes the world a better place for everyone. Call a family member, friend, neighbor, and ask them if there is anything you can do to help them from a distance. (Perhaps even pick up their groceries.) You will find that a conversation over the phone/text/messenger can melt the blocks or miles between you. Stay safe everyone and cooperate whenever you can. We’re all in this together. (Too sappy? Well, it’s been a long week…)
CO-OP UPDATE 03/17/20 – Closed to Customer Foot Traffic – Launching Phone and Online Ordering with Curbside Pick-up
During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak the Oneota Community Co-op has been following our Pandemic Plan to protect employees, members, customers and vendors as this virus has progressed. Having a safe and sanitized shopping environment has always been a top priority for us and has presented many challenges to continue normal operations. The Co-op, as all grocery stores in the area, is an essential business for our community and this virus has forced us to think about how we can do business in different ways.
In order to ensure that we can continue to provide groceries and supplies to our customers in a safe manner, beginning at 1pm today (Tuesday, March 17) the Management Team, in conversation with our Board of Directors, has made the decision to close the store and secure it from outside normal customer traffic. Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, the Co-op will launch online and phone ordering systems for customers. Phone orders may be placed from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday, by calling the Co-op at 563-382-4666. Curbside pick-up at the front of the Co-op will be utilized for both phone and online orders. Please check www.oneotacoop.com for links to the online ordering platform and follow the Co-op on Facebook and Instagram for updates through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to close the store to customer foot traffic was not made lightly – but we feel it is our responsibility to keep our employees safe, and by limiting outside exposure to the interior of the store we can help to ensure that we will stay open and continue to serve our community.
The Board, management team, staff and I want to thank everyone in our community for your overwhelming support as we navigate this situation. The need to balance the safety of our employees with meeting the needs of our community will continue, but it will look different for a while. Thank you for your patience.
This has not been easy, but your kind words and virtual hugs go a long way
David Lester, GM
CO-OP UPDATE 03/15/20 – In light of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the Oneota Co-op will be making the following changes to how we do business – effective tomorrow (Monday, March 16, 2020). These measures are for the safety of everyone and we ask that you adhere to them. We will no longer have a self-serve hot bar, salad bar, soups, and made-to-order menu. We will have only wrapped, grab-n-go items – including sandwiches, salads, dips and pastries. Our Deli seating area is closed to the public and will be used as an area for grocery carts to be sanitized after each use. Upon entering the store, a customer can get a pre-sanitized cart from this area. NO OUTSIDE CONTAINERS will be allowed. This includes reusable bulk shopping containers and reusable shopping bags. The ONLY exception to this will be refillable ½ gallon or larger water transport containers. These water containers will be sanitized by our staff prior to being filled. Again, please adhere to these expectations for the safety and health of everyone. We are hoping to launch an online and phone ordering system in the next day or two. Stay tuned and stay safe everyone.
Our members are rightly concerned about the Novel Coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, and have asked how the virus is affecting the Co-op. We want to respond to your concerns, so here’s what we know so far:
About the Virus
For complete information, visit these excellent and frequently updated pages from our friends at Iowa Department of Public Health, Mayo Clinic, and CIDRAP UMN.
About the Co-op’s Response
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 have an Emergency Management Team (EMT) that does ongoing evaluation and recommendations as needed during a potential pandemic.
The Virus and Food
According to the Harvard Health Blog, it’s not clear if the virus can spread through food – especially when cooked. Regardless, health officials cannot absolutely rule out the possibility of transmission from infected food handlers.
Food Safety at the Co-op
The Co-op’s food-safety program is among the best in the business.
Our employees must follow a strict set of standard operating procedures when handling products.
Many employees are ServSafe® certified. ServSafe® is a highly regarded food-safety training program administered by the U.S. National Restaurant Association. Many Co-op employees have the same level of certification as the managers of major restaurants.
In short, no employee goes near the Co-op’s prepared foods or other products without extensive training on how to handle the products properly and safely.
Out of care for our community, our practice has always been for staff to remain at home when they are sick. All of our full-time and part-time staff accumulate paid time off to cover sick time.
Supplies
You may have heard stories about grocery stores running out of food and household items as consumers horde the essentials. One of our strengths is that we source from multiple suppliers and don’t pull from a central warehouse. Therefore we have multiple avenues for securing products even when there are gaps in availability. This is one of the many moments when we feel grateful to work with so many small, local producers!
That being said, as situations related to COVID-19 continue to develop, some frequently purchased items may show temporary out-of-stock at the Oneota Co-op as our wholesalers work hard to equalize inventory that is negatively impacted by high volume demand in the market. We will work hard to bring you all the products you need and apologize for any inconvenience.
Following the simple guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will go a long way to avoid coming into contact with COVID-19. The CDC has put together a simple set of action steps that you can do NOW to mitigate or prevent exposure to the virus and stop the spread of germs.
Trustworthy Resources
The internet is full of misinformation, and social media channels thrive on hyperbolic language. One of the best things you can do is stay informed with accurate information. We suggest the following, recommended by Harvard Medical School:
- CDC
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Health Organization Mythbusters Page
- Medline Plus (A service from the U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Work with Us
Finally, we ask all of our members, shoppers, and employees to partner with us in this. No matter how many food-safety protocols we may have in place, we can’t control shoppers who might come to the store sick or handle packages with germs on their hands. WHO has great advice here on how to be responsible in order to protect yourself—and by extension your community—from the virus.
Make your own Hand Sanitizer
Please note that the medical establishment recommends a solution that is 60% alcohol if you are making a sanitizer for COVID-19. The following recipe can be made at home and meets the medical establishment’s standard of 60% alcohol.
2/3 cup isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol at 91% strength
1/3 cup aloe vera gel (or witch hazel)
8-15+ drops essential oil (we recommend the following essential oils with antimicrobial properties: Tea Tree, Oregano, Red Thyme, Peppermint, Orange, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Geranium, Bergamot, Lemongrass)
