Costco members rejoice! The wholesale club’s popular food and snack samplings will be returning to stores soon, USA TODAY reported. But the store's grab-and-go free-for-all will look a little different this time around. “We're going to start doing some things in mid-June on a slow rollout basis in sampling,” Costco chief financial officer Richard Galanti told USA TODAY.
“I can't tell you anymore, but needless to say it’s not going to be where you go and just pick up an open sample with your fingers." Costco removed free samplings from store floors in early March as a direct response to the COVID-19 outbreak. For the last several months, customers said goodbye to this favorite store perk. No longer could they grab free cheese slices in the deli area, then visit the frozen food aisle for a hot stroganoff sampling. In terms of trying new and fan-favorite eats, the sky was the limit at Costco.
Their food sampling program also employed nearly 30,000 people, according to BuzzFeed News. Amid the pandemic, Costco improved their store safety and precautionary policies. This included limiting store hours, adding senior hours, and requiring all customers to wear masks. (Most customers adhered to the new protocols, while the store swiftly kicked out other non-compliant customers.) Alongside the return of its sampling program, Costo’s roadshow events will also slowly roll out. These special events are known as the in-house brand product and food demos we all stopped to watch during Costco runs. According to USA TODAY, most of Costco’s menu items will also return. This comes after Costco reopened food courts this month with limited service. Get ready—it's nearly time to enjoy those yummy samples and chicken bakes, folks!