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Festival Foods keeping up with demand

By Rich Palzewic
Staff Writer


BROWN COUNTY – Area grocery stores are busier than ever.

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, one can expect more traffic at stores and sometimes longer-than-usual wait time checking out, but Brian Stezen, Festival Foods senior director of community involvement, said the stores are keeping up with the increased demand.

“We are taking it day by day,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to have access to most of the products we need. We’ve added a few limits on certain things so people can be sure to get what they need – overall, most people have been understanding. The associates have been selfless in working long hours and offering to come in on their days off. We’ve been working hard to keep our clean stores cleaner so we can best serve our guests.”

Mark Skogen, Festival Foods President and CEO, said shoppers have noticed the positive influence Festival Foods is having on the community.

“We’ve had lots of friendly conversations and received notes, emails and messages highlighting the good our guests have seen or experienced in our stores,” he said.

Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm issued a Safer at Home order now in effect until 8 a.m. Friday, April 24, or until a superseding order is issued.

Grocery stores are allowed to operate under the order.

“It fuels us further and makes a huge difference,” Stenzel said. “Festival Foods knows the coming days may bring more changes, but they are eager to continue to rally together as a team. Lots of people are nervous during this time, and of course, there are lots of negative stories out there. But there are so many good stories with what’s happening, too – whether it’s with us, other businesses or the healthcare system. As we’ve seen over the past few weeks, every day is different. From our associates to the drivers and vendors, we are all doing our part.”

Festival Foods has changed their hours during the pandemic from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in order to give employees time to clean the stores and restock the shelves.

The first two hours the stores are open are also reserved for the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

During this difficult time, Andrew Robbins, Festival Foods assistant store director in De Pere, said it’s important to keep the situation light.

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is our team morale,” he said. “We are trying to take it all in stride. We’ve never been through something like this before, and we’re doing all we can.”

Skogen said Festival Foods is looking for more help from the community.

“As hard as our teammates are working, we could still use more help,” he said. “Our 33 stores throughout the state are continuing to add to their teams. We’re looking for both regular and part-time associates to join us going forward, as well as temporary, part-time associates who are looking to pick up extra hours during these unprecedented times. Consider joining our team – we’re open and hiring.”

Skogen also said they are reaching out to local businesses, as well as friends and family members of current associates, who have been impacted by the closures among other employers in the community to help continue their employment until their company re-opens.

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