Blanchfield’s Bakery owner Chris Blanchfield said there was no need for people to panic buy and stock up on bread, and he would gladly make dough while the sun was shining.
‘‘One person bought 12 loaves yesterday which is fine, but two would have been sufficient. We are making fresh bread every day and will continue to do so.’’
Mr Blanchfield said his bakery would bake to order and while supermarkets were under pressure to keep bread on the shelves he could cater for the extra demand.
‘‘We’ll never run out.
‘‘We’ve been baking bread before supermarkets were invented and there is absolutely no panic. We just got in a new supply of flour and yeast this morning.’’
Do Duck In Bakery owner Keith Martin said it was business as usual at his High St premises.
‘‘The panic buyers are running to the supermarket across the road,’’ Mr Martin said.
‘‘We always have bread available but haven’t noticed any increase in demand.’’
Although buyers have been daily stripping the shelves of essentials at local supermarkets, New World owner Foodstuffs has moved to reassure West Coast customers that there was no cause to panic.
‘‘Demand for groceries has increased across the South Island in most categories.
‘‘Foodstuffs has robust plans in place to ensure New Zealanders’ grocery needs are met during these unprecedented times and if customers continue to #shopnormal, we are well positioned to continue to provide New Zealanders with their everyday grocery needs,’’ Foodstuffs New Zealand head of corporate affairs Antoinette Laird said in a statement.
— Greymouth Star
