Stores face increased demand for Easter meals to-go

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hy-Vee is facing an increased demand as stores offer Easter meals to-go for families this holiday.

Jim Simmons, West Broadway Hy-Vee Store Director said stores are offering Easter meals to go with options that can feed two people and another that can feed four.

Hy-Vee is trying to help families abide by the mandated state of Missouri, Boone County and city of Columbia stay-at-home orders.

The stay-at-home orders limits residents from eating inside of restaurants and gathering in groups of ten or more people.

Simmons said Hy-Vee workers are coming into work early to prepare for the surge in orders and make sure the customers are taken care of before they arrive at the store.

“They can come in and stand in line," said Simmons. "And we do have our circles out, so people are six feet apart from each other making it safe that way and if someone wanted to pick it up curb side we can arrange that also.”

Simmons said Hy-Vee has seen a significant increase in the to-go meal orders and he thinks it is because people are trying to follow the stay-at-home order suggestions.

“I think a lot of it is you can't go out and eat," said Simmons. "I think people are being smart... They aren't having those big get-togethers and not those big family dinners. I think you're seeing a lot more people doing the right thing.”

There are still limitations if customers decide to take advantage of these meals to go options.

Hy-Vee has installed temporary window panels positioned on the front side of checkouts. Simmons said stores plan to place more panels on the back sides of checkouts to provide an extra layer of protection between customers and employees.

Simmons said Hy-Vee stores are also trying to get customers to stay walking one direction down the aisles with arrows along each aisle and circles six feet apart to help with the suggested social distancing guidelines.

Simmons said Hy-Vee is taking many precautions to try to continuously sanitize all areas of the store and recommends only one person per family to shop at a time.

Simmons said he understands this rule may be difficult as there are single parents that may have to bring in their children.

"We totally get that," said Simmons. "So it's not a mandated thing but we are strongly encouraging only one person per family come and shop."

Hy-Vee is trying to implement a "one-person per cart" rule to avoid shoppers from large crowds and keeping the number of customers in the store low.