The bread aisle at the Foodland store on Plum Street in Parkersburg had a run of people stocking up in case expected snowstorms hit the area.
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — With a large amount of snow expected over the next day or so, area residents headed out to local grocery stores to stock up on needed essentials.
Local grocery stores have seen an upswing in people over the last couple of days as weather forecasts are calling for snowstorms to hit the area today and Saturday, bringing the possibility of 4-8 inches of snow.
The National Weather Service in Charleston reported the region is under a Winter Storm Warning.
Officials with Kroger and Foodland said they have seen an increase in the number of people coming into their stores over the last couple of days.
“We have definitely seen an upswing in people,” said Allison McGee, Kroger spokesperson. “We have been very busy.”
Many people have been coming in to get the “staples,” milk, bread and eggs, she said.
People have also been stocking up on meat and produce, including chicken breast, chuck roast and hamburger as well as bananas, blueberries, clementines and strawberries, McGee said. They are selling a lot of fried chicken and rotisserie chickens, she added.
“I think everyone is nervous,” McGee said. “I think people want to make sure they have all the food they will need if they are stuck in the house for a few days.”
Jim Oppe, owner of the local Foodland stores, said business has been strong over the last few days.
“People want to be prepared,” he said. “We have been really busy the last couple of days.”
Their shoppers have been looking to get the items many people use daily, like milk, bread, meat and bananas. There has been a lot of toilet paper being purchased as people are making sure they have the essentials if they are unable to get out of the house for a day or so.
In talking with shoppers, Oppe said many people are getting items that can be fixed in a Crock-Pot and be eaten over a day or so.
“A number of people are planning to fix a big pot of chili,” he said. “Folks are stocking up now. People are heeding the storm warnings.”
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