Others have been forced to lay off casuals as revenue falls.

It comes after a surge in trade at major supermarkets, as Australians bought up essential items fearing pandemic-induced shortages.

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Meats on Mitchell owner Josh Williams said trade had been really good despite the crisis.

He's had a queue stretching half way down the block at busy times, as only two people are allowed in the store.

Mr William's wholesale trade with restaurants has dropped off since venues were forced to shut, but regular customers have still been coming in.

"A lot of people boycott supermarkets and go with the council's thing of buy local, support local, that's been a hit," he said.

"A lot of people are just eating at home, not going out, they're eating more food. That's why we're still busy."

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Mr Williams said customers panic buying at the start of the crisis meant everything in the shop was being bought up for a few weeks.

Mince and chicken breasts were particularly popular but people would buy anything on the shelves, he said.

Now Mr Williams said buying patterns are mostly back to normal, with some people maybe getting a little bit extra for the freezer.

Mr Williams said the next six months for the business was unknown, as it was for everyone.

"We're pretty much working seven days a week around the clock, just in case three months down the track everything closes," he said.

"If they keep going as they are we should be fine. The supply and demand obviously puts the prices and that up."

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Business hasn't boomed so much for the Flora Hill Bakehouse.

Owner Rod Whittle said bread sales had dropped about 20 per cent, forcing him to let go of some casual staff.

It's happened despite panic buying that saw the business go from making 120 loaves of bread a day to 400.

Mr Whittle said people would buy two dozen pies at a time to put in the freezer.

But he said the drop in revenue began about four weeks ago.

Mr Whittle has reduced trading hours and closed the business on Sundays.

He said locals were still asking the business to stay open, so they could still support them.

Mr Whittle said he hoped to get to the other end of the crisis with all the full time staff and most of the casual staff still employed.

He has begun home deliveries to help customers in isolation.

"I'm not sure what the future is, no one can answer that really," Mr Whittle said.

"We'll stay open as long as we can. As long as we're allowed to ... we'll stay open for our customers."

OTHER NEWS:

Fruit and vegetable supplier Cabbage Patch Bendigo owner Ian Lester said demand skyrocketed at the same time as the waves of panic buying hit supermarkets.

Mr Lester said he copped flack from some customers for price-gouging, but supplier prices had risen due to increased demand.

He said the business's model meant it could offer deliveries at home, many for older people self-isolating.

But he said it was a labour intensive model.

"It's very testing times, I tell you. We're basically working pretty hard for the little bit we earn out of the business, you contemplate if it's worthwhile," Mr Lester said.

"I'm working long hours for little reward."

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