Water supplies at Deniliquin Coles supermarket are among the items people are stocking up on.
While many Deniliquin businesses are having difficulty getting stock delivered from Melbourne and other major distribution centres, panic buying has once again set in at local supermarkets.
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On Sunday, the Deniliquin Pastoral Times received multiple reports of people purchasing large quantities of shelf-stable items, including flour, yeast, bottled water, toilet paper, canned vegetables and soup, dry pasta and rice, long-life milk, pet food and much more.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deniliquin supermarkets were frequently forced to impose item buying limits due to panic buying.
At that time, restrictions were placed on toilet paper, fresh milk and bread and many other regularly purchased supermarket goods.
Canned pet food stocks have taken a hit as people look to buy for their animals as well.
On Sunday, local supermarkets once again had many empty shelves as people tried to stock up on what was still available.
This has led to some residents being unable to purchase their regular weekly or monthly items.
The most severely affected in this situation are lower income earners and those on government benefits who cannot afford to buy food or other grocery items in larger quantities or more frequently.
Dry pet food was a much sort after item.
A spokesperson for Ritchies IGA Deniliquin yesterday said there was no need for people to panic buy, with sufficient fresh produce and pantry items for all to purchase in usual quantities
Stock is regularly being replenished, with all IGA deliveries still arriving on schedule and there is no expectation they will be severely disrupted.
In recent days, Ritchies IGA Deniliquin has seen an increase in the number of people coming through the store doors compared with recent weeks, however, puts this down to some Moama and Finley residents adding to local shoppers.
It has requested customers be patient with staff during this time of heightened demand.
Some of the shelves are once again looking bare where toilet paper supplies are usually held.
St Vincent de Paul conference treasurer Daphne Greaves said their service had yet to be impacted by additional people requesting food assistance but noted the widespread affect panic buying has on the whole community.
“Panic buying won’t just impact those people who use our service, but all families,” she said.
“We don’t have food here to give to people, like we used to, we haven’t been able to organise any bulk buying yet.
“So, at this stage we’re limited to vouchers at Coles.
“If bulk buying is happening, it won’t just affect low-income earners but everyone.
“We’re trying to set up something with the changeover at IGA, but it’ll take us some time to get gift cards for people to have two options.”
Mrs Greaves said it was a shame people had resorted to panic buying again, as had happened during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
