(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff).

By Mat Barrett & Aaron Schulze

Northeast Groceries and the R.M. of Star City

Northeast grocers not carrying items from R.M. of Star City amid COVID-19 spike

Jul 31, 2020 | 5:09 PM

The recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in the R.M. of Star City since July 29 is a reminder for Northeast Saskatchewan residents the virus is still in the province, and it never left.

On Wednesday, July 29, in Facebook post separate from the emailed media release, the province localized 44 northern COVID-19 cases to a “communal living setting in the R.M. of Star City”. There were also 12 new, confirmed cases in the North on July 30, and one new case on July 31.

Star City Colony has since gone into voluntary lockdown as a result of the new cases, but that does affect local grocers.

Prairie North Co-op Food Store Manager Whitney Rogers said residents in Melfort and the neighbouring area need to continue taking precautions to stay safe during the pandemic.

“With things opening up the way they have been, it seems like people were getting used to going out again and stuff,” she said.

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Star City Colony does provide food to the Co-op, including eggs, produce, and some meat as well. Rogers said they got the last shipment from the colony over a week ago, and the product is still on shelves.

She said they have been constantly working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Federated Co-op’s Limited (FCL), and they’ve been following guidelines from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in regards to dealing with food that may have come into contact with COVID-19.

She said there won’t be another shipment coming from the colony until the voluntary lockdown is lifted.

“When we get to the point of the voluntary lockdown for them being over, we’ll reassess and look at contactless delivery for the product,” Rogers said. “Disinfecting what need be and work with the [SHA], and the food safety team at FCL to make sure that the product is safe for everybody.”

Rogers also said their store has implemented mask use and she encourages everyone to continue following the guidelines set out by stores and the SHA.

In Nipawin, Pineland Co-op Food Store told northeastNOW they haven’t purchased food from Star City Colony “for a while.” Matt’s No Frills in Nipawin also said they’ve never sold food from the colony.

Beeland Co-op Food Store in Tisdale took products from Star City Colony off its shelves as well. Buy-Low Foods in Tisdale said it didn’t order from the colony in 2020.

Cindy’s Independent Grocer in Melfort was unable to return calls prior to time of publication.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca and aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6 and @SchulzePANow