ISU Extension Nutrition and Wellness Specialist Ann Parker

As necessary trips to grocery stores continue with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some things to keep in mind in order to practice social distancing.

Greene County Extension Food and Nutrition Specialist Ann Parker recommends only one person from a family should enter a grocery store to shop. She says by not bringing multiple people into the store, it will lessen the chance of others contracting the virus. She also suggests keeping at least six feet apart from others when in the grocery store. Parker dispels a myth about COVID-19 being contracted with food items.

“It doesn’t seem to be transmitted through food or food packaging. So people shouldn’t feel fearful or afraid of getting food for their households because that does not seem to be the way this virus spreads from everything that’s (been) learned about it already.”

Parker adds, keep safe food preparation in mind, such as washing produce off before eating it and washing hands before and after handling food when cooking.