Grocer asks panic shoppers to ‘leave a little something behind for your neighbor’
Grocery stores across North Texas have been mobbed by shoppers buying meat, milk, water and other supplies to carry them through three or four days of hunkering down this weekend.
But judging from the overflowing shopping carts, many seem to be preparing for something more apocalyptic.
As fast as store shelves have been cleared out of staples, major grocers say they’re working to restock as quickly as possible, prioritizing food and essentials. They say they understand how anxious shoppers are who remember the prolonged power outages during the winter storm of 2021.
Several grocery chains say they intend to stay open during the weekend storm, as long as they can, but a few have already adjusted their hours to open later and/or close earlier.
Officials recommend a three-day supply of nonperishable items and at least one gallon of water per person, per day for three days, prescription medicine and pet food.
Kroger trucks headed to North Texas stores
Grocery stores like Kroger are seeing an “above average” amount of customers coming into the stores.
“As the trucks arrive our team is trying to unload those trucks as quickly as possible and get them onto the store shelves as quickly as possible for our customers,” said John Votava, director, communications and public affairs. “Only problem is more customers, means that product is moving a lot more quickly.”
Votava said that the good news is that trucks were still making deliveries to the stores last night and throughout today.
[Related: God forbid you go without eggs: Top 25 ‘panic shopping’ list for Fort Worth]
Some of the most sought-after items are what you would expect during inclement weather, everything from milk, eggs, bread, water and firewood.
While firework is a priority, the grocer is making sure food comes first on trucks; where space is available they will add additional firewood.
Kroger is also working to make sure that the meat department continues to have enough products on hand.
“It’s potentially three to four days max that you’re going to need supplies for,” Votava said. “So, it’s take what you think you need and leave a little something behind for your neighbor. That’s kind of the Texas way, right?”
Votava said that the safety of Kroger associates and customers is a top priority. Starting tomorrow, shoppers should start calling ahead to make sure their local store is open.
“If the roads are too icy, our trucks can’t get out there to the stores, or our associates can’t get to the stores, we’re going to have to adjust hours or close stores,” Votava said.
Tom Thumb and Albertsons
A spokesperson for the Texas chains said its stores have been working since early this week to ensure that North Texas locations have food and supplies stocked for customers throughout the day.
The chains are seeing an increase in milk, eggs, bread, broth, coffee, cereal, chicken, ground beef, soft drinks, bottled water, salty snacks, other nonperishable foods, frozen pizza and firewood.
“We increased orders for high demand items from our distribution center,” said Christy Lara, director of public relations, in an email. “We shifted our direct-store deliveries to earlier in the week and added orders with our vendors who ship directly to stores.”
Both Tom Thumb and Albertson stores have added more staff this week for stocking and checking out customers at the registers.
For associate and customer safety, and to make customers have access to food and other supplies, the stores will be operating on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lara said if there are more adjustments to operating hours, customers will be made aware through updates on social media, Google Maps and by automated phone messages when customers call.
A spokesperson for H-E-B told the Star-telegram that its stores are receiving product deliveries and employees are restocking shelves throughout the day. H-E-B has announced adjusted store hours for this weekend here is a list on its website.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 1:47 PM.