If you’re like us, you love going to the grocery store. The smell of fresh produce. The exotic flavors of the chip aisle—Our favorites are Kettle Jalapeno Chips. Or maybe it’s Lay’s Salt and Vinegar. Wait, what were we talking about again? Oh right, the joy of grocery shopping!—From the meat counter to the bakery, the grocery store is stocked with endless, mouth-watering possibilities.
Our favorite part of going to the grocery store is using our Lotus Trolley Bag, the easiest, fastest, greenest, and cleanest way to shop.
The LTB helps us stay organized (so we know exactly how many bags of chips are in our cart). It helps us checkout faster (so we can get to the chip eatin’ part of our day). It helps us prevent plastic bags from entering into the environment. And it helps us stay germ-free during Covid-19 (read on to learn how!).
HOW TO GROCERY SHOP AND STAY HEALTHY DURING COVID-19
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Coronaviruses need a live animal or human host to multiply and survive and cannot multiply on the surface of food packages. It is not necessary to disinfect food packaging materials, but hands should be properly washed after handling food packages and before eating” That means we don’t need to worry about grabbing those chips. But we should wait until we get home and wash our hands before chowing down.
Still, the pandemic has us all concerned about staying healthy and protecting others in our communities.
Here are some grocery shopping tips to keep you healthy during Covid-19:
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Socially distance and wear a mask. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC), “The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person...between people who are in close contact with one another, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.” Keeping your distance and wearing a face covering are two of the best ways to protect yourself and others.
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If you’re using a cart, spread your Lotus Trolley Bag out while you shop to prevent your grocery items from coming into contact with the germ-factory otherwise known as your cart. The Lotus Trolley Bag acts as a barrier between your food and the cart for that extra layer of protection.—Yes! You can bring your LTB into the store again! (Many stores across the US are allowing customers to bring reusable bags from home. However, we recommend calling your local grocery store to confirm.) Science proves that reusable systems can be used safely. Single-use plastic is not inherently safer than reusables and causes additional public health concerns once it is discarded. Many states are beginning to reissue their [single-use plastic] bag bans, charging customers up to 10 cents per plastic bag. So dust off that LTB! You are back in business.
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At checkout, unload your items from the cart. This is the part where we would say, “Most stores are requiring shoppers to keep their reusable bags in the cart at all times and to bag their own groceries.” But you’re not just any shopper. You’re an LTB shopper! Of course you’ll keep your bags in the cart and bag your own groceries! You’ve got a system. A sustainable shopper star system. You’re like, Stand back, rookie shoppers. Let me show you how it’s done.—So to you we’ll just say, “Check out as you normally would.”
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When you get home, put away your groceries and roll up your LTB for next time. Then, wash your hands. Studies show that the virus can survive on cloth-like surfaces for 1-3 days. So you'll be good to go for next week's groceries with your Lotus Trolley Bag.
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Better yet, you can take hygiene matters into your own hands! Because the Lotus Trolley Bag is machine washable! Throw three of those babies into the washing machine. Wash with suds then let air dry completely. The insulated bag can be wiped down with your favorite disinfectant. The WHO says, “Regular household cleaning and disinfection products [and washing machines] will effectively eliminate the virus...” Use whatever cleaner you know and trust.
That’s it! Everything you need to know to grocery shop like a champ during Covid-19. Now, if you’ll please excuse us, we have some chips to eat.
