As you know by now, seniors and the immunocompromised are deemed more at risk for serious complications from the coronavirus than others. To help reduce this risk, many grocery stores are now offering seniors-only shopping hours. The idea is to allow those most vulnerable some time to shop in an environment with fewer risks (read: other humans).
Updated: As new stores designate shopping hours for seniors and vulnerable customers, we will add to our list.
Seniors & Vulnerable-Only Shopping Hour(s)
Route One Fun’s put together this list of participating grocery stores offering senior-only shopping hours near the Route 1 corridor. We’ve also noted stores that allow early access for those with compromised immune systems.
We will update this list as we learn of more places. (We also reached out to MOMS Organic Market, YES! Organic Market, Greenbelt Co-op, Glut Food Co-op, Wegmans, Trader Joes; know they are not participating as of now but keep an eye out in case things change.)
If you know of other participating local grocery stores, please include info in the comments and we’ll update to this list ASAP!
Aldi Stores
Ages: “reserving the first hour of business for vulnerable shoppers (includes seniors, expectant mothers, and those with underlying health conditions).”
Days/Times: 8:30am-9:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays
More info here.
Costco Wholesale Club
Ages: 60+
Days/Times: Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Giant Supermarket, Hyattsville & Greenbelt (& everywhere else)
Ages: 60+ and the immuncompromised, see post here.
Days/Times: Every Day, 6-7am
Notes: Starts tomorrow, 3/20/20
Greenbelt Co-op Supermarket & Pharmacy, Greenbelt
Ages: 60+ and vulnerable folks
Days/Times: 7am-9am, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
More info here.
Lidl, Nationwide
Ages: 65+ and immunocompromised
Days / Times: 7-8am, Tuesdays and Thursdays
More info here.
Rite Aid, nationwide
Ages: 65+ and individuals with weakened immune systems
Days/Times: Daily, 9-10am
Safeway Supermarket, Hyattsville & Greenbelt (& everywhere else)
Ages: Unspecified
Days/Times: “At a minimum, the company will reserve every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. for those vulnerable shoppers who must leave home to obtain their groceries, unless otherwise locally mandated.”
More info here.
Target, Hyattsvillle, Greenbelt and elsewhere
Ages: Unspecified
Days/Times: “We’ll reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.” At the Hyattsville Target, this means 8-9am on Wednesdays.
More info here.
Trader Joe’s, nationwide
Ages: 60+ and ” and disabled customers who may need additional assistance while shopping.”
Days/Times: Daily (in general, between 8AM and 9AM)
More info here.
Note: Call local store to confirm
Walmart, New Carrollton (and elsewhere)
Ages: 60+
Days/Times: “From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Our Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.”
More info here.
Note: As of right now, the early access does not appear to apply to the immunocompromised.
Walgreens
Ages: Seniors and open to caregivers, immediate family as well.
Days/Times: Tuesdays, 8-9am
Whole Foods Market, Riverdale Park (& everywhere else)
Ages: 60+
Days/Times: Effective now, every day, 7-8am
Note: Be prepared to show your ID. As of right now, the early access does not appear to apply to the immunocompromised.
Lidl’s website now says:
“special shopping hours for seniors and immunocompromised customers
Lidl will introduce special shopping hours for customers over the age of 65, and those with health conditions that put them at higher risk for complications related to COVID-19. The special shopping hours will be from 7-8 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at all Lidl stores. Prior to entering the store during these times, shoppers will be greeted by a Lidl line attendant who will ask them to affirm their understanding of our policy prior to entering the store.”
Lidl’s coronavirus page has a lot of other policies listed, including limiting the number of customers in the store:
https://www.lidl.com/coronavirus-update
Note, I haven’t been to Lidl recently, so I don’t know how well the store is following the policies.
Thank you, Kay! Very helpful – will update!
Aldi has “vulnerable shopper” hours 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays. (They open at 9 a.m. the other days of the week.)
Thank you! Will update post to include!