Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más stores in Florida are getting free N95 masks. What to know
You’ll soon be able to pick up a free N95 mask during your next grocery trip to Winn-Dixie, Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket.
Federal mask shipments are expected to arrive at store pharmacies as early as Friday, Jan. 28, according to Jacksonville-based parent company Southeastern Grocers.
Meredith Hurley, Director of Public Relations and Community for Southeastern Grocers, said “many” of their store pharmacies will begin distributing the masks Friday — with all pharmacy locations expected to have the masks available by Monday, Jan. 31, while supplies last.
The company says it expects to distribute more than two million free N95 masks at its stores across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi through its partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help protect people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up to three masks will be available per person on a first-come, first-served basis, pending availability, according to the company.
You can find Winn-Dixie stores across Florida, with Fresco y Más stores in South Florida and Central Florida. There are no Harveys Supermarket stores in South Florida, but you can find them in other parts of the state. You’ll have to visit or call your local store to see if they have the free masks in stock.
“We are continuing to work closely with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute the N95 masks in our in-store pharmacies as soon as we receive them ... We ask for patience and understanding from our customers as we work to help protect our communities,” said Hurley.
Where else can you get free N95 masks?
Most pharmacies that are part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 vaccines are expected to distribute the free masks. In Florida, 10 other retail pharmacies are enrolled in the federal vaccine program, including CVS Health, Walgreens and Walmart.
N95 masks, which are considered to be the highest level of protection against COVID-19, will also be available at select community health centers across the country.
Seven community health centers in Florida are slated to receive free N95 masks. Two of the centers are in South Florida: Jessie Trice Community Health System in Miami-Dade and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. Each center will decide how to distribute the masks.
This story was originally published January 24, 2022 at 3:48 PM.
