As of April 14, shoppers at The Fresh Market are asked to wear a face mask. It’s the grocer’s response to the CDC’s advice that people cover their face in public to help prevent spread of COVID-19 and has been implemented in its 159 stores across 22 states.

Meghan Flynn, director of communications and community for The Fresh Market, said that the store has changed its direction on face coverings to keep up with recommendations.

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“From the very beginning, we’ve said the safety of our team members and our guests is our first priority,” she said, but acknowledged that it’s been hard to keep up with the changes.

“Guidance has been changing and we’ve been staying on top of it, plus with 159 stores, we’re able to incorporate best practices that we learn in some stores to all stores,” Flynn said.

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When Jay Tribble showed up at the The Fresh Market store in East Memphis on Tuesday afternoon, he saw the sign on the door and went back to his car to get his mask. 

He entered wearing a P95 respirator. He said he was glad to see that the store requires face coverings.

“But the problem is, this is the one I have,” he said.

He wears the large industrial mask for work – he declined to say where – and had it in his car.

“Everyone should’ve been requiring some sort of face masks long ago,” he said.

Flynn said the chilling news reports that many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic was part of the reason the store decided to adopt the policy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 25% of people with the virus don’t have symptoms, and Flynn noted that on April 13, “Good Morning America” anchor George Stephanopoulos announced that he has tested positive for the virus and has no symptoms.

She said the stores are not asking that people wear N95 masks.

“Those are in short supply and should be reserved for health care personnel,” she said. “Acceptable coverings include homemade masks or other cloth face coverings, such as a scarf, bandana or handkerchief, and should complement the physical distancing guidelines we have placed throughout the store.”

Fresh Market suggests all shoppers maintain 6 feet of distance – two shopping carts – between each other.

Shoppers in Memphis who don’t comply will not be forced to leave the store as masks are not required by the city, though they are in some cities where other Fresh Market stores are located.

“We have a team member at the door who can answer questions, but we’re not at a point where it’s like no shoes, no shirt, no service,” she said. “I imagine that before long masks will be required everywhere, but we’re not there yet.”

She noted that at first, team members weren’t required to wear masks because that was not the public health standard.

“Some customers complained about it and wanted to know why we weren’t wearing masks,” she said. “When the CDC said wearing masks could help, we told our team members they could start, then decided last week it was time to make it a policy.”

Flynn said the store ordered a large supply of face masks approved by the FDA for food workers, but they won’t arrive until next week. Until then, workers are using their own.

“We feel like if we’re requiring it of our team members, we should request it of our guests,” she said. “We think it’s the best thing for everyone.”

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Stephen Carrigan agrees. He was shopping at the East Memphis store Tuesday afternoon, there for the $2.99 Tuesday ground beef and chicken special, and had his mask ready because he received the email Fresh Market sent out on Saturday.

“I don’t mind wearing it at all,” Carrigan said. “I think it’s not a bad idea at all for now.”

There are numerous patterns online for cloth masks; remember these must be washed after each use and you should not touch the front of the mask when you remove it. Paper masks are disposable and you should follow the same removal instructions – don’t touch the front of the mask and with both, wash your hands with soap and water after handling.

The CDC guidelines for homemade masks is here.

A video for a no-sew mask from paper towels is available by clicking here.

Click here for instructions for an easy-to-make mask with a bandana, handkerchief or cloth napkin.