Giant to Hold its Ground During Hurricane Irene

Many people have taken to their local grocery store in preparation for Hurricane Irene.

The also experienced increased visits from weather-worried shoppers.

“Business has been very brisk, and very busy,” Chris Brand, Giant Food Store’s manager of public relations, said.

According to Brand, people have mostly purchased basic-needs food, including bottled water, soda, juice, milk and other dairy products, and bread.

“And lots of snacks,” he added.

But, according to Brand, topping the shopping list of most customers are lunchmeats at Giant’s deli.

For customers who might need to brave the storm, Brand says that Giant plans on being open for them.

“We are certainly experienced,” Brand said. “We have been through storms before.”

Should power go out, Brand said that Giant is equipped with back-up generators. However, if the potential power outage lasts longer than the generators, Brand said that Giant corporate, based in Carlisle, PA, will send refrigerated trucks to help preserve perishables.

While frozen items will be locked during such a power outage, Brand said that dry ice will also be delivered to Giant stores to keep those food products frozen.

Brand added, should basic essentials need replenishing, which may include bottled water and baby food, Giant corporate is also ready to deliver pre-wrapped “storm palettes” containing such essential-needs items.