Story time: Remember how the Federal Government was widely criticized for bungling their response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005? Well one of the best responses to Hurricane Katrina came from Walmart. Yes you heard it right. Walmart was preparing for the impacts of Katrina during and after the hurricane. They were working on logistics, trying to figure out the best way to supplies to affected areas, and working on post storm logistics.

What’s the takeaway from this? We shouldn’t diminish the role local,state, and the federal government will play in the crisis and recovery, but sometimes someone els can respond to a crisis in a better fashion. HEB probably has been coordinating on the ground with staff at stores to determine logistics and the most needed supplies and maybe reaching out to other grocers like Publix for help.