Woolworths Introduces ‘Basics Box’ For Elderly & Vulnerable People

When hordes of selfish shoppers stripped supermarket shelves of essential items, Woolworths was the first major supermarket in Australia to try and prioritise their elderly and vulnerable customers with ‘elderly-only’ shopping times.

This amazing initiative provided newfound hope to many older Australians who ventured out to shopping centers only to return empty-handed, and now, Woolworths is taking things one step further.

Woolworths is now rolling out an $80 box of groceries called the ‘Basic box’ which can be ordered and then delivered to the doorsteps of isolated elderly and vulnerable people across the country.

The contents of each Basic Box may vary due to product availability, but all boxes will contain a similar range of meals, snacks, and essential items.

An example of ‘Basic Box’ contents that was posted on the Woolworths Website is as follows:

 

Essentials

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap (or other hygiene products)

 

Breakfast

  • Longlife milk (or a dairy substitute)
  • Fruit juice
  • Weetbix, oats (or breakfast cereal)
  • Crackers (or similar)
  • Spread (jam, vegemite, honey or peanut butter)

 

Lunch and Dinner

  • Pasta (or rice, lentils, noodles, quinoa, couscous)
  • Pasta sauce (or similar)
  • Canned tuna (or other canned meat)
  • Canned items – soup, vegetables & fruit
  • Baked beans (or similar)
  • Tortilla bread (or similar)

 

Snacks  

  • Tea
  • Biscuits (or chocolate wafers, sweet snacks)
  • Muesli bars (or dried fruits)

 

According to Woolworths, orders should arrive within 2-5 working days, but they urge people who can shop for vulnerable family and friends to do so, to help reduce demand.

The basic boxes will be unable to cater for specific dietary requirements, but removing choice will ensure that deliveries get out to vulnerable customers as fast as possible.

Just like the ‘elderly-only’ shopping hours, Woolworths requires basic box customers to provide proof of age or vulnerability prior to making their order, and customers will receive updates on their delivery via text and email.

Woolworths has actually been offering priority assistance home deliveries since March 13, to help the elderly, those with disabilities, and those in mandatory isolation.

The ‘Basic Box’ is only available for delivery and Woolworths will not be making any profits from the service.

At a time where baron supermarket shelves became a symbol of selfishness, it’s remarkable to think that a supermarket chain is providing Australians with the best example of how to be mindful of others.

Photo credit – iStock- Geber86

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. I have a level four age care package
    I find that the care providers aren’t living up too indevigales care needs and they are using the shutdowns as an excuse . But they could get private contractors to fill in the gaps also I need a mask

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Woman Rents ‘Cherry Picker’ To Sing To Seniors In Multi-Level Nursing Home

With social isolation of elderly people reaching epidemic proportions before the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor restrictions and lockdown laws have removed some of the last remaining outside-interactions that residents hold so dearly. Like many special visitors to aged care homes, professional singer Colette ‘Coco’ Hawley has been unable to perform for her beloved residents in person, but... Read More

What is ‘social prescribing’? And how is it tackling the loneliness epidemic?

The ‘social prescriptions’ see GPs prescribing social activities and events to older people who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness.  Read More

‘Git Up Challenge’ brings good times for residents and carers 

  Wild West Wednesday was always popular for the residents of Lifeview Argyle Court, but when they used the day to film their own version of the ‘Git Up Challenge’, the video they created extended the joy to thousands more viewers online. With COVID-19 making aged care homes the focus of deep concern at the... Read More
Advertisement
Exit mobile version