Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
One of Oliver’s largest grocers is saying there is no need to panic over food supply in the wake of flooding in B.C.
Buy-Low Foods management points out that all grocers in the province are experiencing unusually high demand from consumers worried about the supply disrupted by highway closures.
“As Premier Horgan has already advised, there is no need to panic – the food distribution network is resilient and will recover from the road interruptions as quickly as possible,” management said in an email to the Times-Chronicle.
The company said that delivery of groceries arrived at the Oliver store this morning from its facility in Alberta.
“We are adapting by shipping from Alberta and exploring opportunities to ship through the US.”
The company stated that food limits for consumers are being addressed on a location-by-location basis.
“We are asking that people only purchase their immediate needs as we catch up from this unexpected interruption in distribution.”
Loblaw, the parent company for NoFrills in Oliver, mirrored those sentiments.
“We understand the frustration of an empty shelf at the grocery store, but are urging our customers to take only what they need at this time.”
Loblaw noted that its supply chain and store teams are getting the most important items back on the shelf as quickly as possible.
“We are also working to set up deliveries to the B.C. Interior from our Alberta distribution centres to ensure we can continue to serve our communities in their time of need.”
Meanwhile, local shopper Don Smithyman said panic buying is in full progress.
“Went to NoFrills to pick up a few items (just in case) . . . couldn’t find a parking spot.”
Smithyman said he then drove to Buy-Low Foods just up the road.
“Here we go again, it seems . . . panic buying here we go B.C.”
(Photo by Don Smithyman)
