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By Jaryn Vecchio

Supply Shortages

Independent grocery stores in Indigenous communities impacted by supply shortages

Jan 19, 2022 | 5:13 PM

Independent grocery stores in Indigenous and rural communities around Prince Albert are having a tough time getting certain products for their customers.

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, suppliers across the country are dealing with employee shortages because of the COVID pandemic.

This is resulting in less personnel to deliver products across the country causing many stores, most of which aren’t part of a major chain, problems filling their shelves.

Robert Ermine, Supervisor Manager at the Store & Gas Bar in Sturgeon Lake First Nation, told paNOW it’s a strong possibility independently run stores are being put at the bottom of the priority list.

“If you were to go into Superstore, you’d probably be able to find those items.”

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Gitte Smith, General Manager at Ne-He-Thow Store in Montreal Lake Cree Nation, doesn’t have the same mindset. She was quick to defend her suppliers, stating they always do their best in ensuring they get all the items they order.

Smith isn’t entirely sure COVID is causing all the problems. She’s less focused on the cause, more so on the fact, there’s an issue that’s impacting them.

“Maybe it’s because of COVID at their factories, I don’t know. I just know that as far as the supply chain is concerned, we’re not getting it.”

She couldn’t 100 per cent confirm that some customers were travelling to P.A. to try and find items at big chain grocery stores. However, she does believe it’s more likely this is happening than not.

Meanwhile, Lake Country Co-op which has multiple locations in smaller communities across the province is also struggling to fill their shelves.

In a statement sent to paNOW, Monique Zwack, executive director of pharmacy and customer experience, said they’re continuing to try and find items they can use to temporarily replace the unavailable items.

“The Co-operative business model allows our urban and rural teams to embrace an “all-hands-on-deck” approach in order to maintain the high level of service that our customers have come to expect.

She added some of their locations have even changed store hours.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers believes some may have to close their doors until the issue is fixed. They noted this would most likely happen to communities that rely on one independent grocer.

-With files from Canadian Press

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow