March 2023 COVID Update

March 2023 COVID Update:

Masks Recommended, not required, for customers starting Thursday, 3/16

Mask-Required shopping available 9am-11am daily

This March marks the 3rd year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 3rd year of the Co-op’s Collective Management thoughtfully navigating how to continue to serve our communities while keeping our staff and shoppers safe.

In 2020, the Collective Management decided that masks would be required for all shoppers and staff inside the Co-op. We’ve continued to uphold the mask requirement – even after most businesses have dropped theirs – to maintain the safest-possible environment for staff and shoppers, especially those who are immune-compromised.

After careful consideration and much discussion, our Collective Management has decided to shift our policy to Masks Recommended for customers, instead of required, starting on Thursday, March 16th. However, to make sure that safer shopping options are available, we will reserve 9am-11am daily for Masks-Required Shopping. 

This means that masks will be required for customers only between 9am-11am daily, and that masks will be recommended, not required, from 11am-9pm.

The Curbside Pickup program will still be available as a safer shopping option.

Thank you for understanding. Please email questions and concerns to info@peoples.coop.

Why are you making this change?

Oregon Health Authority will lift mask mandates in health care settings in early April. With this in mind, the Collective Management decided that after 3 years of upholding this policy, we need to shift our energy toward our own safety, the store itself, and our other means of providing a safer shopping experience. This was a challenging decision to make, especially with our immune-compromised community members in mind. This is why we will continue to have Mask-Required hours at the beginning of the day, when the air and surfaces are fully refreshed. The CM made this decision through our consensus decision-making process, which makes space for clarity, thoughtful discussion, and for all co-managers’ voices to be heard.

The Co-op is Still Requiring Masks Indoors

Dear People’s Co-op Community,

In response to Oregon lifting its indoor mask mandate on March 12th, People’s Food Co-op has collectively decided to continue requiring masks inside the store. We believe it's important to continue providing the safest possible shopping experience for our community, especially for our immunocompromised community members. Together, the collective fully consented to continue requiring masks for both shoppers and staff inside the store for our safety, too, as we are in close proximity with hundreds of customers every day. Additionally, masking indoors helps minimize chances of a staff outbreak and keeps our co-op doors open for you! 

We will also continue to require masks at the Farmers’ Market until further notice, as the Farmers’ Market Coordinator and our vendors will make a decision together about whether or not lifting the mask policy outside is the right decision for them at this time.

We will continue to provide medical grade face masks to those who do not have a mask on hand. If you need one, please ask a staff member for assistance.  These can be found stationed outside of our front door with sanitizer. If you would like to shop at People’s but do not want to wear a mask, you are welcome to shop with us via our curbside pickup program. You can learn more about this program here: https://www.peoples.coop/online-ordering

The Collective Management continues to evaluate our COVID-19 safety policies as the pandemic goes on, and will keep you informed with any updates or changes to our policies. 

Thank you all for respecting and understanding our decision. We do ask that you refrain from confronting staff in stores about our policy. If you have questions or concerns please contact info@peoples.coop. We sincerely hope for and look forward to a time when COVID-19 is a distant memory for everyone. In the meantime, we will continue to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our community.

Sincerely,

The Community Engagement Team of People's Food Co-op