City officials are encouraging people who can afford to put off grocery shopping for the next couple of days to hold off on heading to the grocery store.
Why? Because recipients of food assistance programs like WIC and SNAP receive their benefits on the first of the month and will need to buy groceries.
On Monday, District 2 City Councilman Adam Medrano posted on Facebook, asking Dallas residents to stay away from grocery stores until April 4 unless they receive benefits from the Special Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children, also known as WIC.
“Many of these families’ benefits were depleted more quickly because children are staying home from school, and some families are going hungry right now,” Medrano wrote. “Give these families space to shop and please respect their needs by not buying items with a WIC shelf tag unless you absolutely need them.”
A few other grocery etiquette tips during these times include:
- If you can, grocery shop alone instead of bringing multiple family members.
- Refrain from touching items or produce you don’t intend on buying.
- Abide by item purchase limitations.
- Use gloves or hand sanitizer when paying.
- Avoid using cash.
- Lastly, be kind to grocery store workers.
