SpartanNash expands free COVID-19 testing

SpartanNash has rolled out its free COVID-19 testing program to six more stores, with 11 in-store pharmacy locations now providing the service.

The new coronavirus test sites, launched yesterday, include Family Fare supermarkets in Battle Creek, Hastings, Kalkaska and Paw Paw, Mich.; a Family Fare store in Cannon Falls, Minn.; and a Martin’s Super Market in Granger, Ind. Both customers and SpartanNash employees can be tested.

By appointment only, the testing is conducted via the store’s drive-thru pharmacies, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash said. Pharmacists guide customers through the self-administered nasal swab, and results are provided within three to five days. The company has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the test program, which is administered according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Early last month, SpartanNash began offering free COVID-19 testing at five of its corporate-owned supermarkets in western Michigan, including Family Fare stores in Allendale, Byron Center, Wyoming and Holland and the D&W Fresh Market store (Apple Orchard Avenue) in Grand Rapids.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our company has maintained two top priorities: the well-being and safety of our family of associates, customers and communities, and supporting health officials and government leaders to contain the virus,” Tom Swanson, executive vice president and general manager of corporate retail at SpartanNash, said in a statement. “COVID-19 testing is critical in fighting this global pandemic, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to help the communities we serve by launching our free COVID-19 testing in August and look forward to supporting our store guests at six additional locations starting Sept. 14.”

Related:SpartanNash launches free coronavirus tests

The coronavirus tests are being offered to both symptomatic and asymptomatic people, in accordance with state and local plans for public health monitoring, according to SpartanNash. Customers and employees interested in getting tested first complete a short survey and then schedule their appointment date and time. Appointments can be made online at shopfamilyfare.com/covid-19-testing, martins-supermarkets.com/covid-19-testing or shopdwfreshmarket.com/covid-19-testing.

SpartanNash operates 88 pharmacies at Family Fare, D&W, Martin’s, VG’s Grocery, Family Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods and Econofoods stores in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Overall, the grocery wholesaler and retailer has 155 company-owned supermarkets, also including such banners as Dan’s Supermarket, No-Frills Supermarkets, Pick’n Save, Sun Mart Foods, Valu Land and Supermercado Nuestra Familia.

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