Pumpkin: Holiday staple in short supply

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marcy Velte

Although reports early this fall assured consumers there would be plenty of canned pumpkin for their pies this Thanksgiving, some local retailers are still having problems keeping their shelves stocked.

Despite announcements from major producers in September that canned pumpkin was in good supply, employees at the Niskayuna Co-op said getting shipments of the product has “been an issue.”

Tim Little, grocery manager for the store, said he has experienced problems receiving shipments of certain pumpkin products.

“We received a distribution shipment of 10 cases of Libby’s canned pumpkin about a month and a half ago,” Little said. “We have not been able to get the product since then.”

Little has only had trouble obtaining the Libby’s brand canned pumpkin, but he imagines the possible shortage could affect other products such as frozen pies, and he is worried.

Little said he has plenty of the store-brand canned pumpkin.

Don Bisgrove, the store’s grocery manager, said although he heard this year’s crop was fine, he also heard a rumor: Because companies can products so far in advance, there still could be a shortage for this year.

“The machines may not have caught up with the crops,” he said.

Hannaford is also having pumpkin problems.

Spokesman Matt Paul said the bad crop is still affecting Hannaford’s canned pumpkin shipment and it is a problem for the grocery industry again this year. He said Hannaford is working to get the pumpkin as fast as possible before Thanksgiving.

“We haven’t heard from any specific store that they are completely out, but we are hearing from most stores that they are getting low or about to run out,” said Paul. He said they are having no issues getting frozen pumpkin pies.

Last year, a shortage in canned pumpkin occurred after heavy rainfall ruined many crops. People and stores began hoarding the product to save for holiday use. Some even profited from the shortage by selling the cans online. The Associated Press reported cans selling on eBay for $7 apiece.

Price Chopper is reporting it is having no problems stocking pumpkin products, mostly because officials foresaw a shortage.

Company spokeswoman Mona Golub said the grocery chain ordered three extra truckloads of the holiday staple in September to make sure the shelves remained stocked. Price Chopper has the product in both the name and store brands.

Some shoppers were not happy about the shortage. Joanne Mckern of Glenville said she knew her grandson would be let down.

“I make pumpkin pie multiple times throughout the year because it’s my grandson’s favorite pie,” she said.

Joyce Brawswell, 78, also of Glenville, said family members would be disappointed if they did not have the pumpkin pie she makes for Thanksgiving dinner each year. Brawswell said her family might have to make due with an apple pie instead.

Little said jokingly, “If I don’t get a shipment within the next few days, I’ll have to call my distributor and beg for a case.”