'Not all super heroes wear capes, most wear aprons': How Utah thanked its Unexpected Heroes in grocery stores

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series where we thank the Unexpected Heroes who put themselves at risk to keep Utah running during the coronavirus pandemic. Every Monday, we highlight a different industry, and we'll ask you to write in to thank the workers in that industry for their service. During the week, we'll profile someone who works in that industry. Every Friday, we will publish some of your submissions and send the messages of thanks to those in the field.

SALT LAKE CITY — Earlier this week we asked you to help us thank all those Unexpected Heroes who work in Utah's grocery stores, and hundreds of you responded.

One common theme we saw spread out among the responses was regret for not realizing sooner how valuable these particular neighbors are to our daily well-being.

What was once a routine stop to the store on the way home from work has turned into a once-every-week-or-two expedition to stock up on essentials. Employees at grocery stores now wear masks and gloves along with their aprons as part of their uniforms. These employees work tirelessly to make sure life continues as normally as possible for Utahns.

In addition to writing in and thanking the grocery store employees, many of you wrote in and asked us how you could help. We asked representatives from local grocery stores, including Associated Food Stores — known to many of you as Macey’s, Dan’s, Lin’s, Dick’s Market and Fresh Market — and Harmons to weigh in, and they responded with tips for how you can help keep grocery workers, and yourself, safe while shopping.

How you can help:

Those who work at grocery stores "courageously work to serve our guests," Sarah C. Pettit, spokeswoman for Associated Food Stores, said in a written statement. They are "humbled by the overwhelming support our incredible guests have shown during these unprecedented times. We thank the community from the bottom of our collective hearts. We are truly in this together and appreciate the loyalty, patience and cooperation we’ve received."

Shoppers are a "key part" of making sure associates at grocery stores stay safe and healthy, Lindee Nance, Harmons' vice president of marketing, said in a written statement.

Pettit and Nance shared some tips on what to do before, during and after you visit the store.

Before you shop

• Make a list. This allows you to make a plan before you get to the store and speeds things up while you're there. If you're having a hard time coming up with ideas on what to get, Harmons has a two-week shopping list ready for you to use.
• If you're sick, stay home. "If you’re not feeling well, please stay home," Pettit said. "We have plenty of curbside pickup and delivery options to serve you."
• One shopper per family. "Shopping solo is ideal. If help is needed, two is the maximum," Nance said. "The more people there are in an aisle, the harder it is to maintain the recommended 6-foot distancing."
• Bundle your trips. Fewer trips means less people at the store at any given time, which means there a smaller chance of exchanging germs with other shoppers.
• Avoid peak shopping hours. If you shop early in the morning or on a weekday, you can steer clear of crowds and lessen your chance of coming in contact with others.
• Keep the reusable bags at home. These bags have the potential to carry more germs on them. Until things clear up on the virus front, it's best to leave these bags at home.

While you shop

• Wear a mask. While it's not required to wear a mask to shop at the stores, wearing one can help prevent the spread of germs. "It may feel different than normal, but as a recommendation from the CDC, we hope you consider it," Pettit added.
• Use touchless options to pay. If possible, try Apple Pay or Google Pay to avoid all contact. Credit and debit cards are the next best option. If you need to use cash, consider using the self-checkout if you can.
• Social distance. Stay 6 feet away from other shoppers. This is about the length of two regular-sized carts, Pettit said.
• You touch it, you buy it. "Shop with your eyes, not your hands," Nance said. "Be mindful of this as you are selecting both fresh and packaged products. Ideally, only pick something up if you intend to purchase it."

After you shop

• Soap up. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get home. Avoid touching your face.
• Wash produce. Wash your fruits and veggies before you eat them. Regular old water and a veggie brush should do.

Following these guidelines is a clear way Utahns can help and thank employees at grocery stores, Pettit and Nance said. Many of you also expressed your gratitude for these Unexpected Heroes by writing messages of gratitude and thanks.

Here's what you had to say:

"Not all superheroes wear capes, most wear aprons. Thank you."

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"Covid is red,
my cart shines like new;
because of all
the sanitizing you do.

"Putting up with panic
is no small feat
you put in extra hours
so we can all eat.

"Thank you for working,
especially with cheer.
It’s your courage
that alleviates fear!!"

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"Despite all the changes and risks, you still welcome me and ask how I am doing. Sometimes, it is the only human voice I have heard that day."

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"Thank you for all your hard work. You are as much a caregiver as any medical professional."

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"I was sitting in my car while my husband ran into the store to pick up a few things. I just happened to be sitting there when it was a shift change. All these young people wearing grocery store aprons began putting on their masks as they got closer to the entrance of the store. I sat there thinking to myself that these fine young men and women do need to know that they are part of the group of people that I pray for every night. They do need to know that they are seen and appreciated. They do need to know that they matter and make a difference. Thank you to all of the grocery workers out there!"

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"From one retail associate to all of you out there......THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!!!! Seeing the panic buying, people fighting over paper products, and having your own breakdown...... THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE !!"

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"Thank YOU for Being there. For helping when I asked where the sugar was. Thanks for the smile, even though I was wearing a mask & you couldn't tell I was smiling back. Thanks for the hands that are raw from washing & hand sanitizer."

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"Thank you for going in before people shop and staying after all the shoppers go home to stock the shelves, sanitize, and prepare to do it all again the next day. You are appreciated. You are wonderful. You deserve the admiration."

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"The best supervisor I ever worked with would, when appropriate, use the phrase, 'Thank you. You are part of the solution.' It was the highest praise I ever heard in that workplace. I now express that high appreciation to all those people who are, in this difficult time, part of the solution. My sincere thanks to you."

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"Thank you for all the hard work and risk you have taken to keep all of the rest of us fed. You have done so without large monetary rewards, yet taken the risk of getting sick yourselves. I will never look at grocery store workers the same way again. God bless you."

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"Food is the most basic need we as humans have, and the fears around not having access for our family can be frightening! Thank you so much for being there day after day to provide access at the risk of your own personal safety. Thank you! Thank you!"

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"Thank you so much for coming to work every day even if it scares you and the ones you love. It is especially difficult being tasked with taking on the emotional toll of your shoppers, let alone your own emotional burden. Know that you are appreciated every time you ask my lost-looking face if I’m finding everything okay because you are making that possible when things outside are not okay."

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