Thomas Acda arranges priority at supermarket for healthcare workers and the elderly
Despite all the anti-hoarding advice, our healthcare workers repeatedly find themselves in an almost empty supermarket after a long day at work. And many elderly and disabled people are also left empty-handed. But fortunately, these corona heroes have their own hero: Thomas Acda.
Together with the Jumbo supermarket on Amsterdam’s Westerstraat, he has set up an initiative: healthcare workers, the elderly and disabled people can get priority when it comes to the supermarket’s available stock, so they no longer miss out.
Anti-hoarding initiative
Thomas had been wanting to do something for healthcare workers and the hoarding behavior for some time. “I thought: there’s a moment between the delivery truck arriving and the goods going into the store,” he explains on Radio 2.
They can email their shopping list to jumbowesterstraatactie@gmail.com. Together with supermarket manager Michel de Koning, Thomas prepares the groceries. After work—or whenever they have the opportunity—the people can pick up and pay for their order.
“But people shouldn’t all come to Westerstraat to do their shopping now,” the singer warns. “The point is that people should simply be able to get the supplies they need near their home after work. So ideally, other supermarkets would also start this kind of service for the people who need it.”
https://twitter.com/thomasacda/status/1240218172294418432
Will it go nationwide?
Michel de Koning asked Jumbo headquarters whether it could become a nationwide initiative, but unfortunately, that will not happen. Spokesperson Claire Trügg told AD that Jumbo welcomes the initiative, but that headquarters’ priority at the moment is maintaining the food supply.
Some Jumbo stores are already giving elderly people priority in the morning. Trügg: “The elderly can do their shopping first until 9:00 a.m., followed by the other customers. And at Jumbo City in Den Bosch, customers with vital professions can also submit a shopping list, after which the items are prepared for them.”
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