Special Announcements

Coronavirus Updates

March 12, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The safeguards that are being implemented to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus could potentially have an impact on your order from Rapids Wholesale. To help clarify what you can expect, browse the bullet points below before placing your order.

Shipping Impacts & Concerns

If your business is unable to accept shipments due to closure, please contact us via chat or call us at 800-899-6610. We will work with you to find a solution, such as an alternate delivery method or a shipment delay/suspension. Because our goal is to get most orders out same-day on in-stock items, we encourage you to get in touch with us as soon as possible - we want to be proactive to help you avoid additional fees incurred from the shipping companies.
Currently, the Coronavirus is having little to no impact on orders that are being shipped from our primary shipping facility in Marion, IA. To identify items that will ship from this location, look for the RAPID SHIP tag across from the price on the product page.
Items that are labeled FACTORY DIRECT may be subject to shipping delays, as these can ship from a number of locations around the United States.
Depending on the official reaction to the Coronavirus in your area, your order may be subject to additional shipping delays.

"Is My Package Safe to Touch?"

According to FedEx and the WHO, the answer to that question is yes. The risk of catching the COVID-19 virus from a package is low.

FedEx Response

FedEx is taking part in the effort to keep you safe. Alongside encouraging good hygiene practices, they are also currently implementing contingency plans that will limit the effect of the coronavirus and make sure you get your package in a timely manner.

While FedEx is considered an essential business, there may be service impacts, depending on your state's response to COVID-19, including "state of emergency" and "shelter-in-place" orders.

There have been some clearance delays at the United States-Canada-Mexico borders.

FedEx has also implemented a Health Form - if your facility requires verification of COVID-19 symptom-free visitors, you can request the driver present their Health Form.

Effectively 3-18-20, FedEx will no longer require you to physically sign for most deliveries made in the U.S. as a temporary safety feature.

Additionally, FedEx is offering a Hold at Location option for if the recipient is unavailable to receive a package at their normal business address. Just pick Hold when preparing the shipment.

Learn more by visiting their website.

UPS Response

UPS has suspended the UPS Service Guarantee and the UPS Freight's Service Guarantee, which means that expedited shipments and shipments requiring a signature may no longer arrive on time. This affects the 2nd Day Air and 3 Day Select shipping options available on the checkout page of our website.

Tips on Keeping your Workplace Safe from COVID-19

CDC Recommendations

The CDC has put together some basic recommendations that all businesses and schools should implement, if possible. A few of the top suggestions are below.

Use something other than a handshake as your greeting, such as a wave.
Set up a station for employees/visitors to clean their hands at the door (Rapids has implemented a small hand-sanitizing station!). We also recommend setting up a trash can near the bathroom door so employees can use paper towels to open it.
Encourage employees to avoid touching their faces and to sneeze or cough into their elbows.
Disinfect frequently-used surfaces regularly.
Use videoconferencing for meetings.
Limit food sharing.
Encourage employees to stay home if they are feeling sick.

Be Aware of the Coronavirus Symptoms

Another way to help improve workplace safety is to ensure your employees know what the symptoms are:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

Contact Your State and Local Health Departments

Get in touch with the health departments in your area to see if they have additional regional guidelines for the foodservice industry.