With the approach of Halloween and Thanksgiving, many people are seeking out canned pumpkin to make pies, cakes, and cookies. Unfortunately, consumers are finding bare shelves when they reach grocery stores.
Fearing the worst, news of the canned pumpkin shortage is making the rounds on food blogs and became a recent topic of frustration on Twitter. A tweet from @jennifer_sedney states, "OMG the US is in the middle of a pumpkin shortage!!!! My worst nightmare."
While some regions are experiencing a canned pumpkin shortage, the top canned pumpkin producer notes it is a temporary issue stemming from tight supply due to the 2008 pumpkin harvest. With canned pumpkin production currently underway, fresh cans of pumpkin should be hitting store shelves soon.
Food Bloggers & Pumpkin Lovers Battling Canned Pumpkin Shortage
The canned pumpkin shortage recently popped up on Twitter with food bloggers and pumpkin lovers tweeting over canned pumpkin shortages. The trend spans coast to coast with food bloggers experiencing the issue from California to Florida.
Lori, from RecipeGirl.com, recently found herself traveling to four stores across San Diego, CA in search of canned pumpkin for testing a Pumpkin French Toast recipe. At first, Lori questioned whether canned pumpkin was truly a seasonal ingredient and not yet in stock for the upcoming holidays.
Lori finally found pumpkin at the fourth store but admits, "Panic ensued when I thought about all of the recipes I wouldn't be able to make without it!" Due to her fear Lori notes, "I stocked up and bought 6 large cans of it. Didn't want to be stuck without with the fall holidays approaching."
The panic over a canned pumpkin shortage is not localized and is occurring nationwide. Robin, from AmateurGastronomer.com, also feared a pumpkin-less holiday in Miami, Florida. Robin explains how she traveled to three grocery stores and ultimately ended up without any canned pumpkin.
The last store informed Robin it hadn't been stocked for 3 months and they didn't know when it would return to store shelves. Robin confesses, "I found myself laughing at myself for going on a quest for canned pumpkin! Of course my husband was disappointed because he loves my Pumpkin Soup!"
Libby's Cites 2008 Crop as Causing 2009 Pre-Season Canned Pumpkin Shortage
Many reports note a rainy growing season as damaging Northeastern U.S. pumpkin crops. While some types of pumpkins, like those for carving or decoration may be in short supply, the leading canned pumpkin producer assures it did not face this issue with its canning pumpkins.
Libby's is the number one canned pumpkin producer in the United States with approximately 5,000 acres of pumpkins planted exclusively in and around Morton, Illinois. The company holds an 80-90% market share on canned pumpkin, contributing largely to the estimated 50 million pumpkin pies made each year.
Libby's pumpkin crops are typically harvested over a short 70 day period from August to October, or until the first strong frost hits. During the production period, Libby's facilities are currently working around the clock with pumpkins canned the same day it is harvested.
When asked about a canned pumpkin shortage, Libby's spokesperson Roz O'Hearn admitted Mother Nature can play a large role in pumpkin production. However, the current shortage stems from last year's inclement weather. O'Hearn explains, "We experienced unfavorable weather conditions last fall, which limited the size of our harvest which meant we had very little surplus entering this season."
This season's harvest is currently in process so freshly canned pumpkin will soon be reaching store shelves. O'Hearn alleviates pumpkin shortage fears by stating, "The harvest is underway now and we are now shipping Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin (began shipping last week of Sept)."
Looking Ahead to Possible Canned Pumpkin Shortages for 2010 Pre-Season
While all signs point to a good harvest for Libby's this year, an early frost could still shorten the harvesting period. For anyone fearing a pumpkin shortage next year, it may be worthwhile to stock up when canned pumpkin hits store shelves in the weeks ahead.
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Allen Williams - Allen Williams is a freelance writer with varied interests ranging from information architecture to reality TV and cooking. He considers ...
