A grocery store owner wrote an open letter to shoppers after they finally had enough of their behaviour in his store.

The letter penned by the owner of a FreshCo in Windsor was posted to a Facebook group where it quickly blew up.

Mostly in blunt numbered list form, the letter calls out shoppers for sub-par treatment of workers at the store. "I manage a grocery store," it begins. "Here's some things everyone should know."

The owner starts by listing off basic facts like that they don't have any toilet paper or sanitizer and run out of staples daily, and that products are not being hoarded "in a hidden corner of our back room."

This letter was posted at a FreshCo in Toronto. Image via Amy Elizabeth.

The letter goes on to say that the owner has 25 years of experience under their belt, can't control the warehouse being out of product, is employing as much help as possible during this time and apologizes for the lines at checkout.

The owner then goes on to fervently defend their team, who they say are "tired," "exhausted," "scared of getting sick," "very under appreciated," "human and do not possess an anti-virus, "abused all day by customers who have no idea how ignorant they are" and are putting themselves in harm's way all so everyone get groceries.

"My team disinfects every surface possible, every day, just so you can come in, grab a wipe from the dispenser, wipe the handle and throw the used wipe in the cart or on the ground and leave it there...so my team can throw it in the trash for you later," the letter continues.

"My team more than earns their breaks, lunches and days off. And if that means you wait longer I am sorry."

The letter concludes: "The next time you are in a grocery store, please pause and think about what you are saying and how you are treating the people you encounter ... If the store you go to is out of an item, maybe find the neighbour or friend that bought enough for a year...there are hundreds of them ... They caused the problem to begin with."

Here's the full text of the letter.

--

I manage a grocery store.

Here's some things everyone should know:

1. I don't have toilet paper
2. I don't have sanitizer
3. I run out of milk, eggs and meat daily
4. I promise if it's out on the shelf ... it's not in a hidden corner of our back room

Those are the predictable ones, now for the real stuff

5. I have been doing this for 25 years I did not forget how to order product
6. I did not cause the warehouse to be out of product
7. I schedule as much help as I have, including many TMs working TONS of overtime to help YOU
8. I am sorry there are lines at the check out lanes

Now for the really important stuff

9. My team puts themselves in harm's way everyday so you can buy groceries
10. My team works tirelessly to get product on the floor for you to buy
11. My team is exhausted
12. My team is scared of getting sick
13. My team is human and do not possess an antivirus... they are in just as much danger as you are. (Arguably more) But they show up to work everyday just so you can buy groceries
14. My team is tired
15. My team is very under appreciated
16. My team is exposed to more people who are potentially infected in one hour than most of you will in a week (medical community excluded, thank you for all that you do!)
17. My team is abused all day by customers who have no idea how ignorant they are
18. My team disinfects every surface possible, everyday, just so you can come in grab a wipe from the dispenser, wipe the handle and throw the used wipe in the cart or on the ground and leave it there... so my team can throw it in the trash for you later
19. My team wonders if you wash your re-usable bags, that you force us to touch, that are clearly dirty and have more germs on them than our shopping carts do
20. My team more than earns their breaks, lunches and days off. And if that means you wait longer I am sorry.

The last thing I will say is this

The next time you are in a grocery store, please pause and think about what you are saying and how you are treating the people you encounter. They are the reason you are able to buy toilet paper, sanitizer, milk, eggs and meat.

If the store you go to is out of an item.. maybe find the neighbour or friend that bought enough for a year ... there are hundreds of them... and ask them to spare 1 or 2. They caused the problem to begin with...

And lastly, please THANK the people who helped you. They don't have to come to work!