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For Thorold Foodland, just staying open during the pandemic isn't enough

Owner Todd Marr: 'We just want to help out the community'
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Todd Marr, here dropping of a $1800 donation to Community Care last week. Photo: Supplied/Marrs Foodland

It is the most trying time of his career - but for Thorold Foodland owner Todd Marr it’s all about getting through it with his chin up for his customers and staff, despite daily challenges flying at him like a bitter rainstorm.

“It is difficult when you are dealing with staffing issues. It is tough on everybody,” said Marr to Thorold News.

Some workers have been unable to continue, to avoid exposing family members to possible COVID-19.

Since the pandemic restrictions came into effect, his store has transformed from a given every day destination for many customers who saw Foodland as a well-stocked convenience store.

Now, people shop only once per week, and the store did not even hit their maximum amount of shoppers even during easter.

Foodland has had to adapt to new, stringent social distancing measures to still stay open.

“It is obvious that people are stressed out. Our staff and customers, everyone is feeling it. We are trying to maintain a calm environment in the store with all the rules and guidelines. So far it is working for us, and I’m not complaining at all,” Marr said.

Shoppers have come in from places like Hamilton and Burlington to escape hourlong line-ups outside grocery stores and to find what they are looking for.

Food staff is getting extra pay and more hours - but Marr also has to combat disruptions in the supply lines, that has left various aisles gaping empty as of late.

“Flour is really hard to come by because the manufacturers are sometimes only keeping one line open. For example, Robin Hood is only making all-purpouse flour right now, because they are also subjected to the pandemic,” said Marr, adding that while there has been some challenges getting ahold of beef due to plant closures.

“We might have to source some USDA beef, but we should be fine”.

However, keeping open and serving the community with groceries isn’t the only reason Marr and his store has become hot talk around Thorold.

Regular deliveries to the Community Care foodbank and financial donations have become somewhat of a signum for Todd Marr and his team, keeping barrels just outside the check-out.

“We are still going to focusing on maintaining what we can with these ‘silent food drives.’ We want to continue to help Community Care. The emergency pay is nice, but it will not cut it for many.”

The stores next mission is to sell Geraniums from a local grower who had his U.S export shut down, with a $1 donation per sale.

Having already sold several hundred, another 6-700 should have flown off the shelves during the May 24 weekend, said Marr.

“We just want to help out the community”.

This is the latest in a series of articles about essential workers in Thorold. Do you know someone who is doing important work amidst the pandemic? Email [email protected], and be sure to include details and contact information.