Shopping and groceries, what a wonderful hobby that both satisfies wants and needs. While we’re a bit limited in the time of the lockdown, we find ways to adapt and adjust throughout and make it a bit fun. Here are a few ways on how to:

Prepare before going out.

Make sure you’ve listed down all you need to avoid prolonged exposure in your destination. It also helps you forgetting essentials and gives you a bit of liberty for other stuff once you’re done. 

Timing is key.

Some places require a window schedule, and depending on your destination it’s always prudent to make a call first to save a bit of time off the queue times. You may want to consider peak times where people are mostly out, so choose a window where there are fewer folks around. Consumer Reports also suggests shopping when the store is quietest, usually during dinner (6–7 pm in Marin) but often during the store’s later hours, and wearing a face cover when you do. Larger chain stores use overnight hours to clean so morning hours there are usually cleanest there (independent stores clean throughout the day). Mornings are also the most likely time to find stocked shelves as deliveries arrive in the early morning hours at most stores. However, lines can be long during these times so expect to wait outside for an hour or more before entering the store.

Bringing your bag, or not to?

The CDC maintains that there remains no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted via food, there’s uncertainty around transmission via packaging. San Francisco recently banned reusable shopping bags as part of on-going efforts to curb the spread of the disease. In Marin, stores are asking customers who do bring their bags to do their bagging to protect staff or asking that you use their bags (paper bags are widely available). If you do bring and use your bags when shopping, please ensure they were sanitized or otherwise thoroughly cleaned between uses to help prevention.

Now here’s the fun part, a list of potential places and markets you can have fun splurging!

Farmer’s Markets

Marin Community Farmer’s Markets runs the open-air markets in Corte Madera Town Center (Wednesdays, 10 AM – 5 PM.), and in the CVS parking lot in Mill Valley (Fridays, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM).

The Larkspur Farmer’s Market at Marin Country Mart runs on Saturdays from 9 AM – 2 PM.

Other local shops are here too!

Andy’s Local Market

Open. No self-service at food bar and deliveries arriving on a regular schedule.

Sun Valley, San Rafael 7 AM to 8 PM

Loch Lomond, San Rafael 6:30 AM to 8 PM

Corte Madera 7 AM to 8 PM

Driver’s Market 9 AM to 8 PM

Good Earth Natural Foods 10 AM to 9 PM

Inverness Park Market 8 AM to 6 PM

Marinwood Market 

Concerning senior shopping, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM is typically very quiet for seniors to shop.

If you would like to email/call in an order, we can have it ready for you to pick up. Email marinwoodmarket@gmail.com.

Mill Valley Market – Revised store hours, as of April 6 

Mon/Tues/Thurs/Sat: 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Weds/Fri: 9 AM to 7:30 PM

Sunday: Closed

Orders accepted via email at orders@millvalleymarket.com

Mollie Stone’s

Special shopping hours for those 60+ and immunocompromised: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7 AM to 8 AM.

Coffee bar hours are now 7 AM to 4 PM.

Regular store hours are now 8 AM to 8 PM.

Nugget Market 7 AM to 9 PM

Palace Market 

Sunday – Thursday 8 AM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday 8 AM to 9 PM

Safeway 6 AM to 10 PM; senior hours are Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6 AM to 9 AM.

Scotty’s Market 7 AM to 9 PM

Trader Joe’s 9 AM to 7 PM

United Markets 

Special senior (60+) and immunocompromised community shopping hours daily from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.

8:30 AM to 9 PM

Whole Foods – Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM to 8 PM; Sunday: 8:00 AM to 8 PM

Immuno-compromised and customers 60+ from 8 AM to 9 AM

Woodlands Market 

Mondays and Wednesdays: 7 AM to 8 AM

Fridays dedicated to immunocompromised and 65+ customers.  Closes daily at 9 PM.

Other essential businesses, including Target (Marin City 7 AM to 8 AM) and Costco (8 AM to 9 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays), are providing separate time windows for seniors, often first thing in the morning.

GROCERY, DELIVERY, SHOP, MARIN, COUNTY