Many grocery stores around the country are starting to set aside special times for those most at risk to the COVID-19 virus, especially seniors, to come and shop by themselves, and some have completely reorganized their hours to allow time to sanitize the facilities each night.
The stores that are doing this have chosen 1-2 hours early in the morning, at or soon after opening, presumably to ensure seniors and other at-risk shoppers encounter the cleanest environment possible.
Here is a list of stores providing this service in Santa Cruz County:
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Aptos Natural Foods
New Hours 7 days a week
- 8-10am Senior Shopping Only (65+, 10% discount during this time)
- 10am-7pm General Shopping (closing at 7pm)
Aptos Natural Foods is also requiring a staff person to assist all customers with bagging items from their bulk department, per order of the health department. This is part of efforts to limit surface contact and possible cross-contamination throughout the store.
Deluxe Foods
Deerpark Market Place in Aptos
- Store opens 1/2 hour early Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. for seniors only.
In addition, the Peet’s Coffee kiosk, which usually opens at 6 a.m., will open with the store at 8 a.m. during the current situation.
New Leaf Community Markets
Santa Cruz and Capitola
- Monday-Friday: 8-9 a.m.
In addition to the special shopping hours, New Leaf’s stores will offer 10% senior shopping discount all day Monday through Friday.
Wild Roots
Boulder Creek and Felton
- Monday through Friday: 9-10 a.m. Senior and immunocompromised customers only
- All other customers: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m. — Sat & Sun 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Starting Monday, March 23, Wild Roots will offer their 10 percent senior discount to all Senior Community Members (club card) Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 8-9 a.m.
- Wednesday 8-9 a.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday: 8-9 a.m. Starting March 24
Nob Hill Foods
Capitola, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville
Beginning March 21, the stores will put together a bag of grocery staples available to seniors 65 and older at a discounted price of $20.
Safeway
Soquel, Aptos, Scotts Valley, Felton, Santa Cruz, and Watsonville
- Tuesday and Thursday: 7-9 a.m.
Safeway, known for staying open 24/7, is closing at night between 9-10 p.m. and reopening at 6 or 7 a.m. to allow for thorough cleaning of the store each night. Check your local store for exact times.
Target
Capitola and Watsonville
- Wednesdays: 8-9 a.m.
Whole Foods
Capitola and Santa Cruz
- Daily: 8-9 a.m.