Kroger customers paying with cash will not be getting coins handed back in change starting Monday or Tuesday.
A nationwide shortage of coins during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Federal Reserve, is partly behind the grocer's decision that was announced Friday.
Kroger spokesman Eric Halvorson told WTHR, "Until the shortage abates, customers paying with cash will have two easy options. Cashiers will advise them that, instead of returning coins as change, the amount will be added to (their) loyalty card and will automatically be applied to the customers’ next Kroger purchase.
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Cashiers will also offer the opportunity to 'round up' to donate that change to the Zero Hunger|Zero Waste Foundation, supporting the service of their local food bank," Halvorson said.
The Federal Reserve said in mid-June that the COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the supply chain and normal circulation patterns for U.S. coins. Also, the U.S. Mint's production of coins decreased due to staffing adjustments during the pandemic.