(h/t No9 Coal) This is specifically the #1 precursor, for all the reasons previously mentioned.
Do not be alarmed; be prudent.
What are you seeing in your area?
Feel free to note in the comments section what is happening in your area. Hopefully, most of us are much better positioned than the average person who has not been following this as closely over the past several months.
Initial food instability signs in the supply chain. Things to look for:
(1) A shortage of processed potatoes (frozen specifically).
1.a And/Or a shortage of the ancillary products that are derivatives of, or normally include, potatoes.
(2) A larger than usual footprint of turkey/ham in the supermarket (last lines of protein).
(3) A noticeable increase in the price of citrus products.
(4) A sparse distribution of foodstuffs that rely on flavorings (sports drinks).
(5) The absence of non-seasonal products.
(6) Little to no price difference on the organic comparable (diff supply chain)
(7) Unusual country of origin for fresh product type.
(8) Absence of large container products
(9) Shortage of any ordinary but specific grain derivative item (ex. wheat crackers)
(10) Big brand shortage.
(11) Shortage of wet pet foods
(12) Shortage of complex blended products with multiple ingredients (soups etc)
(13) A consistent shortage of milk products and/or ancillaries.
These notes above are all precursors that show significant stress in the supply chain. Once these issues are consistently visible, we will likely continue toward food instability very quickly, sector by sector, category by category.
The reason I list the shortage of potatoes as the #1 precursor is because every food outlet sells a potato in some form. Every supermarket and every single restaurant (fancy, sit down or fast food) sells some form of potato. Potatoes are demanded by every single food outlet; therefore, a shortage of potatoes is the first noticeable issue.
Links to SHARE (be prudent with whom):
Kroger store in Northeast TN completely out of canned coke zero. Had a few plastic bottle 6 packs but was all.
Aluminum shortage?
Long periods of Coke Zero shortage for large plastic bottles as well as other “zero” type soft drinks in my grocery store.
Also, periods of no stocks for certain paper products reappearing (paper towels, toilet paper).
Where are you located?
Not an aluminum shortage.
DFW stores have been out of Cherry Coke in regular size cans. Sometimes you can find the mini cans and this past week there was some in plastic bottles.
There was a Coke Distributor (not a Kroger employee) restocking the shelves about a week ago so I asked what the issue was. He said the priority was Coke (regular) and Diet Coke (not Zero) They have to “bottle” certain quotas of their main sellers. Anything else gets sidelined when they don’t have enough production capacity for whatever reason. That could be because of high demand for the two mainstays (possibly true if more people are eating in vs. dining out), short staffed because of Covid, or short on ingredients.
That was his story. Might be true or might be what they’re instructed to say but he didn’t seem to be repeating a script. Then again, if you repeat something enough times it becomes true, right? 😬
Also, trucking things like cases of soft drinks probably doesn’t have a priority over trucking cases of fresh foods. Just a thought.
No foil in Aldi’s for weeks, eastern NC.
Same in S Indiana. Plenty of clear stretch film, wax paper and parchment paper but no foil for weeks. I bought a 50′ roll of Reynold’s hd at Menards for $3.99 – about double Aldi’s price – guess that’s A is out of stock.
Wow! 2020 THERE was a shortage of tin foil and clear wrap. Couldn’t find ANY! Now I believe we’re well-stocked in WNY.
Same her in north FL
Haven’t seen Fresca in a can for months here in SoCal…. Only the plastic bottles
Boycotted coke way back over the MLB in Atlanta debacle.. coke doesn’t care about America. I’ll never capitalize their product name again. Ha
“Woke”-a-cola is what we call it in our household!
Wet dog food has gone from $9.99 a flat to $15.99 a flat of 12 cans.
We have 2 Great Pyrenees to feed..
#11 on the list.
I talked about Sundance’s list above and the “Go Deep”-er issues at play.
No one else has this level of analysis.
Much appreciated, Sundance.
If they are used to a wet food diet, maybe try homemade food. It will be a production for dogs that size, but most likely less expensive. It is with my dog. We worked with a pet nutritionist (hard to find foods appropriate for my dog’s many allergies) and her diet is heavy on sweet potatoes and turkey. I make large batches and freeze it. Something to consider, just in case you are unable to get the commercial food.
My sweet little Pffer ate baby food the last 2 years of her life- mostly sweet potatoes & meatish mixes.
Gerber’s chicken #2 baby food is a kitten favorite.
my 3 small dog’s main meal is baked chicken breast, jasmine rice and cheddar cheese. At $1.99 lb for boneless skinless chicken breast this is as cheap as dog food and the dogs thrive.
Earlier this week they had plenty of canned dog food. Also, for dry food, Diamond makes “4 Health” for tractor supply. Very healthy, and price is around 47.00 for a 40-45 lb bag. Good luck!
Are canned Green Beans ok for dogs? As an add in?
As long as no salt added. I have a diabetic dog I home cook for.
Yes as long as “no salt added”. Just got a big bag of frozen (maas river, I think?) at Costco, inexpensive, notes zero sodium.
Yes
Yes, and also mashed chick peas
I get bags of frozen salmon for abot $6.00. It’s odd sizes, not highest cut maybe, and feed that to my cats. They love it, although not good to feed it to them all the time.
My 4 farm cats eat a lot of ‘outside’ food….I know they’re not hungry due to the dead mouse and some part of another small rodent, partially eaten, that I found this morning….they would eat them if they were hungry…but they do get cat kibble daily, might be time to decrease amount so they eat the mice rather than wasting a perfectly good meal….I don’t know why they don’t eat the ground moles, though….
Feed them a little early in the mornings to keep them around. Then they’ll eat what they catch at night.
Keep your farm kitties healthy and well-fed, alert and full of energy, and I have no doubt they will be very effective rodent hunters.
My cats are family. No one goes hungry!
I have 2 large German Shepherds. If you are able to, Costco has a high quality dry food (no wheat). You can pour some broth over it for your dogs and they’ll eat it with relish. It’s almost $50 for a 35lb bag, but my dogs coats are shiny and they have a ton of energy. They have cheaper blends too. My dogs protect the entire homestead so they are fed really well. I’ve already decided if I can’t find dog food, I’ll be pulling beef out of the freezer because I buy it in bulk from the local rancher. Also, if you buy whole chickens with the gizzards, liver, etc., inside, give the innards to the dogs – super high protein and they love it. You can probably get “chicken backs” from the butcher cheap – it’s great for broth making, but dogs can also eat the whole thing raw – they get a lot of nutrition from the bones.
I don’t mean to be telling you what to do – just hoping to offer alternatives because I worry about my dogs eating well. They are a very important component here.
And be sure to make friends with the deer hunters!
Dogs are family. I’ve had cats that were too. Though they are a bit different
I say: Viva la difference. ☺️ Both have their own delights.
I used to boil gizzards for my dogs. They love it and are sold in the meat department at Safeway.
i’ve feed my 11 lb dog rotisserie chicken .it’s cheap ,she hates dry food. i pull all the meat, chop it up, and mix canned peas and carrots , sometimes rice . chicken is generally 5.99,a can of peas and carrots a buck. feeds her for 5 or six days . she loves it. it’s work , but she’s worth it.
Kroger has wonderful deli chicken here in S Indiana but the price is always multiples of 2. Buy 1 for $7.99 or 2 for $10. When we eat fried chicken we get one batch of fried for us and 1 baked for the dogs.
Eggs will make their coat shiny as well.. I’m not going to tell anyone what to do as well.
I’ve done the 50 dollar a bag for food and have found better food higher protein etc etc for bounds cheaper.
Also if anyone is feeding their dog canned dog food.Please do some research on that!👍
I always thought you shouldn’t give dogs chicken bones, is that wrong? Also, turkey- I thought dogs couldn’t eat turkey?? I seem to have false information!
My area is ops normal. Prices up but stock is plentiful.
I guess the rest of DFW doesn’t know we exist yet.
Went to my brand new local HEB this week (on Ronald Reagan Blvd….love Texas) and noticed the same thing…no frozen potato products. Also very little uncooked pasta. Meat was a little sparse. Everything else seemed relatively well stocked.
Same here: Mrs. Cletus went for some frozen hash browns and couldn’t find any.
HEB has a dedicated, Texas-based supply chain for a lot of’things. That no doubt helps.
20% +increase in price on many products at the grocery.
Stock in some aisles down 30% +.
Shoppers filling carts to max vehicle load.
Few, if any smiling faces.
Shoppers filling up carts will hasten the shortages, and skyrocket the prices.
I still blame Republicans – as well as Democrats, for this debacle.
I have to respond to your comment. Filling one’s cart could mean there are 8 mouths to feed. Some people are shopping for the elderly and disabled. Large families generally shop often and fill the cart every time. I’m just saying this because I think it’s important to not demonize people who buy in bulk. They are NOT the reason for shortages. There’s tons of food in this country and the last couple of years we’ve seen farmers and ranchers dumping product because of government interference, and now we have a lack of transportation, a lack of workers, all fabricated by the “crisis”. It’s 100% B.S. (not yelling at you). Let each person get as much as he or she can for the safety and wellbeing of their family. Those of us who can extend ourselves to our neighbors will ensure that no one goes hungry.
Backing you up ma’am.
Government is the problem not the solution.
a very good friend of mine has 4 kids, they would leave the store with 2-3 full carts every couple of weeks, 3 boys 1 girl. Ungodly amounts of food when they hit the teenage years!!
Some of us shop only once a month or less as you say what you see is not always what you think is going on.
Yes, this is what caused the toilet paper shortage of 2020. I call it ‘defensive buying’ and I hate it.
No it isn’t. Hoarding can make the situation somewhat worse, and definitely rankles those who feel like they got left out. But for example the toilet paper shortage was nothing of the sort. There was a shortage of retail toilet paper on retail size rolls packaged for retail sales, shipped to retail outlets. Restaurants, schools, and other institutions and commercial centers were well-stocked, with wagon-wheel size rolls of industrial grade toilet paper.
Take the lesson from this. As the food shortages in the stores worsen consider who you know who works in a restaurant or restaurant supply business. Stock up on freezer bags and consider buying 40 or 80 pound boxes of chicken or other products from the restaurant supply business.
^^^^THIS^^^^
The crisis is 100% manufactured.
In order to adjust, we have to think differently about food. Things like:
We can adjust, no matter what the barbarians in the White House have planned for us.
#FJB
I agree about the farmers, and have sources, but that means driving. If there are gas shortages, we may not be able to reach the farmers.
If it’s too far to drive, is there a farmer’s market where you live?
If there is a Gordon Food Service in your area, go there. They are a restaurant supply place that has retail outlets. We buy stuff there all of the time. It is the only place we can find the farm raised catfish we like but we have to buy $100 worth at a time. They have a full line catalog and will order anything you want and have it in the store for pickup in a few days. Sam’s and Costco also have a line that is for small commercial businesses.
I used to know a Sysco salesman. He would order stuff for me. Just because they serve restaurants does not mean they only serve restaurants. They prefer the large orders, but a salesman that is hustling for commissions will sell to just about anyone.
Gordon Food is very reliable in SE Michigan.
Wasn’t the toilet paper shortage a result of everyone staying home and using their own bathrooms, thus needing their own toilet paper rather than that cardboard at their workplace?
No, the toilet paper apocalypse had nothing to do with hoarding or “defensive buying”. It had to do with plants not being able to retool their factories fast enough due to the closures of retail, schools, businesses. The demand shifted because people were told to stay home. No single buyer of toilet paper created the crisis. It was 100% manufactured by the Covidians. Sorry, not yelling at you. When I saw people complaining about not being able to find toilet paper, I thought to myself, “why is it that these people don’t prepare in advance?” I guess it’s all in how you think about it.
It was a bit more complicated, but close. With TP, about 1/3 of everyone’s day was spent at work or school an 1/3 of their TP use was at work or school. Send everyone home and that dynamic changes drastically. Add in the people that use work for basic supplies (I know stealing is wrong) and it created an instant shortage.
A certain amount of prepping is prudent. We don’t buy anything that we won’t eventually use. And we live where it’s cold and snowy. We can grow vegetables only four months out of the year. It’s foolish not to plan for the worst. Joseph stored the harvests from the good years so people could eat during the bad years.
Same with us Kay.
We live in a very rural area and do not have a grocery store two miles down the street.
If it happens to snow and we can not get to town we have learned to keep a pantry full of things.
We also have a very short growing season and must depend on canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.
If you were to see us shopping on one of our trips to town you would see us filling up a cart and I hope you would be generous in your judgment not knowing our circumstances or how we live and get along.
We are frugal and use all we buy.
Well, for 51 years this household has always filled carts 1-2 times a month depending on the number of mouths we are feeding.
It was just the way our budget worked out based on the one household income bi-monthly.
Not good to assume all filled carts are “hoarding” or “defensive-buying”.
Also, there are professional shoppers out there also loading up carts. The ones who deliver groceries to people (cant think of name).
so yes, cant assume all are hoarders/ defense buyers.
As you should.. the republicans blind eye treatment is as bad as the treason
at least you can see faces. Here it is a sea of masks. Probably not smiling behind the masks, either.
I truly believe our elected leaders will find great phrasing and sweet words to deny this shortage as only a short term problem as I again adjust my face mask prior to entering a building requiring such for the third year even after having the Pfizer 3 shots where the CEO now discounts it’s shielding powers for Covid and it’s many cousins.
However, I do sense that Rahm Emanuel is dining in Japan without his mask nearby smiling as his famous phrase “never let a crisis go to waste” is proven true for these lovely democrats our fellow citizens elected into power.
I just love touching my toes, waiting for the fun these democrats have in store for us…Mommy will come, Mommy will come!
The mask mandate is back in ultra liberal Portsmouth, NH. No spagetti, no cat food (very serious problem), no plastic bags, little in the laundry department and prices through the roof.
If your cats will eat fish the “people” sized cans of mackerel and sockeye salmon used to be fairly inexpensive. We’ve even diced up entire rotisseried chickens back when they were 4 or 5.99 – will last for a few days, even with multiple cats. Haven’t looked at regular cans of “people” tuna lately.
Also – plenty of wet food is available online – but horribly expensive.
Found wet cat food yesterday at the neighborhood walmart store, 5 boxes left of 32 cans were 15 now 19.95, yes bought them all, been looking for weeks and down to 2 cans, not ready for cat wars. Dairy was low and price was up. Did 3 days back to back Sams day 1, no creamer, no brussel sprouts, low on milk. None of the 3 store had any breakfast sandwiches or burritos my partner must have :).
Ice cream is low and snacks are nearly gone. Prices are up for sure 500 buck for this weeks run for 2 people. We have always prepped a bit I guess it’s how I grew up, but wow this is going to be painful. putting in our first raised bed garden in Fl, so far so good, planting potatoes and onions today in trash cans, onions in a tub.
This is where I find wet cat food:
PetSmart is pretty well-stocked. It looks like there’s one near Portsmouth.
Per Supplies Plus has been VERY well-stocked, with Tues. & Thurs. deliveries. They can set it aside for pickup! They appear to have a location in Somersworth NH.
Was talking to my daughter while she was at her local grocery store in Santa Clara, CA.
She said the pasta aisle was wiped out.
I’m going to have to make my own ravioli.
We make our own pasta all the time…definitely the way to go…
South-central KY seeing lots of empty shelves – primarily the items on Sundance’s list above.
Empty shelves in the frozen potato section, cereal and yes, toilet paper!!
At Publix in Southern Alabama.
Rural TN here. Just went into town to get some milk prior to the big storm headed our way. Milk $3.69/gallon, very sparse on the fresh produce, not the usual stuff. Found some oranges, but they’re “Blood Oranges” $4.69 for a bag of 6 oranges – crazy price! I had previously purchased a bag of the small oranges, but they rotted within a week, which means they’re old, so I was looking for fresh oranges this time.
Blood oranges from northern Africa are the best. Pick some up. Hows life in TN? Im thinking of buying some acreage down there just in case.
I love it here. Very long growing season (zone 7-ish). Normal people going about their lives in most places. Nashville and surrounding burbs can be Lefty. Many consider Memphis a “no go zone” due to high crime. Property here is in very high demand, just like Texas and Idaho and Florida.
Look a bit north to Kentucky. Pretty much Tennessee north. Stay away from the cities and you will be good. They are mostly up north anyway. Yes, we have an income tax but other taxes lower. Sort of balances out. Let me know if you are coming and I will show you around.
The other day I went to ALDI and they only had one kind 0f oranges. I Bought them and found they too were blood oranges. Not as tasty or juicy but I guess they still have Vitamin C.
Another source of vitamin C is canned pineapple. Just a thought.
My Aldi was wiped out of canned pineapple
Tomatoes also have vitamin C.
Just got 7 oranges for 4.50 at Dollar General in rural NE NC. Ridiculous.
FL shelves are basically full, however, frozen hashbrown potatoes over Christmas were nowhere to be seen in 5 different super markets (Publix, WinnDixie, etc.) which I needed for a sour cream potato dish. I purchased a 15lb bag of Russet at Sam’s for $13 (way up) and diced ’em myself.
I did too..lot of work but I think it was better
There is something weird going on with this potato shortage, I think Biden regime is deeply involved with it.
Publix – no cream cheese, low on wet pet food and sports drinks (been that way for weeks or more). currently out of paper towels and TP.
Ingles – has cream cheese, low on wet pet food. has had no gallon water (store brand) in weeks.
frozen potatoes at both chains are there just not fully stocked/limited stock.
Some frozen potatoes are still on the shelves in SW Missouri. I went to Sams Club 2 days ago in Springfield MO to pick up another 3 month supply of canned goods and other staples. The shelves were completely full of everything including frozen potatoes (which I don’t have any more room for) Plus at Sams Gas they have 87 Octane for $2.69 which is 35-40 cents cheaper than the surrounding gas stations, so of course I filled up. What is amazing is that I went in to Academy Sports (next to Sams) to spend a gift card. Their shelves were woefully empty on just about everything. They had plenty of pistols, but only a handful of long guns. I got a fishing rod.
I might add that I normally food shop at a regional chain (Price Cutter). Except for holes in the frozen potatoes, everything else in Sundance’s list looks normal supply
Is there still a big Associated Wholesale Grocers in Springfield?
They used to supply us in southeast Kansas.
Yes. They supply most of the local and regional stores. They are getting plenty of trucks in so far
WalMart in Clarksville Indiana ha 525ct value packs of .22lr for $40 yesterday.
Wow. That’s double for what I paid when I stocked up 18 months ago
Central New York:
Larger chain like Wegmans is still pretty well stocked, but many national brands are missing and have been replaced with the store brand.
Philly Cream Cheese was unavailable but has now reappeared in only the small-sized tubs.
Cheddar cheese supply is sporadic.
My son hit a smaller independent store and said the shelves were bare, nothing but junk food like chips and soda.
He was surprised that they were all out of milk, given we live in a big milk producing area of the state.
Oddly, there appears to be a run on sports drinks like Gatorade.
I’ve been to the store several times in the last 2 weeks and the sports drink sections have been cleaned out.
…”Oddly, there appears to be a run on sports drinks like Gatorade.”…
There’s no “run” on the product. There is no flavoring to make it…. because there is a shortage of flavoring….. because there is a shortage of citrus…. because there is a shortage in the supply chain.
yes. My wife loves the MEO stuff you poor into water. Price jumped,from 2.38 each to 3.38 each.
Just want to add… CA used to be grove after grove after grove of orange trees, apricot trees, walnut trees, field after field of artichokes, broccoli, etc. All mostly gone since the Demonrats took over. Last I heard they were charging $6,000 per acre foot for water. They drove most, if not all, of the small farms out of business. They dump water from the Sierra Nevada snow melt into the ocean. Demonrats destroyed the state. People say, “why did you vote for them then?” Well, as we’ve learned, voter fraud is rampant in CA. How did Governor Nuisance stay in office? Fraud. California and Florida produced tons of oranges. Now they come from Mexico, Chili, and from all over the world. WHY??!! It infuriates me that a once productive, beautiful, free state was completely destroyed by the Pelosi gang. They’re plagued by drought and fires because of lousy policies not because of climate change. So many have left and are leaving. So sad. They ruin everything they touch. CA is now a welfare state and the crime is rampant. sigh… We’d have plenty of oranges if the Democrats had stayed out of CA. Just sayin’.
~End of rant~
I sympathize. Grew up in California, with walnut, peach, plum, apple, and apricot trees of our own. My father was an executive in a fruit corporation, and he used to bring home crates of the best produce. The fifties in California were a golden age.
South of Dallas, TX. Produce is fine, frozen family or party sized meals 50% (probably because I stocked up so deeply!), large amounts of pallets on floor being stocked. Water, carbonated drinks low stock, all beef products up in price, lots of fresh chicken leg/thigh quarters. Hard to believe I spent $994 to stock up freezer.
North of Houston TX: no pasta or rice to be found at a number of different stores like HEB and Walmart. No bagged lettuce/spinach either.
Publix (FL based Grocer) seems fine. CVS has empty shelves of cold medicines. Walmart (China products) looks like Venezuela.
How does one post pictures from mobile?
I think you can email for advice, or upload it to your blog and then link it here etc
THE OTHER HOLOCAUST – THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-02-15-9602140975-story.html
“Here is what I learned: Ireland had been rich in many crops, as well as herds of livestock, but potatoes were the only food the Irish were allowed to eat. Everything else was collected as rent by the English landlords and shipped abroad for profit. Even when the potato crop failed for five successive years, families were forced to watch each other slowly starve to death as loads of wheat, barley, oats and cattle were shipped from their docks. One and a half million people died of starvation and/or related diseases.”
What the English landed gentry did, and still continue to do all over the world, is a disgrace! The starving sailed for America in the coffin ships. God bless the people of Skibbereen!
“O father dear, I oft-times hear you talk of Erin’s Isle,
Her lofty scenes and valleys green, her mountains rude and wild.
They say it is a pretty place wherein a prince might dwell.
And why did you abandon it, the reason to me tell.”
“My son, I loved our native land with energy and pride,
Until a blight came on my land, my sheep and cattle died.
The rent and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem,
And that’s the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen.
“Oh it’s well I do remember that bleak December day,
The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us all away.
They set my roof on fire with their demon yellow spleen,
And that’s another reason why I left old Skibbereen.
“Your mother too, (God rest her soul) lay on the snowy ground.
She fainted o’er in anguish with the desolation round.
She never rose, but passed away from life to immortal dream,
And found a quiet grave, my boy, in dear old Skibbereen.
“And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame.
I could not leave you with your friends, you bore your father’s name.
I wrapped you in my cóta mór at the dark of night unseen.
I heaved a sigh and bid goodbye to dear old Skibbereen.
“It’s well I do remember the year of forty eight,
When I arose with Erin’s boys to battle against the fate.
I was hunted thro’ the mountains like a traitor to the Queen,
And that’s another reason why I left old Skibbereen.”
“O father dear, the day will come when vengeance loud will call,
And we will rise with Erin’s boys to rally one and all.
I’ll be the man to lead the van beneath our flag of green,
And loud and high will raise the cry ‘Revenge for Skibbereen.'”
I thank you for that friend. Some of us went far far away but we never forget.
My husband wouldn’t be here if his ancestors didn’t leave County Kerry.
Ill trade you a big stupid potato in the White House for a 10lb bag of potatoes. I know your taking a loss but its the best Ive got. Okay,I’ll toss in a half baked Kamflaked potato. Ok ok, I throw in a Neuman rotten potato and thats my final offer. Deal?
I live in Vancouver WA went to a Walmart and I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. Other then the food isles thst contained the bare minimum all the other isles were completely emptied. But then I went over to Winco foods and a much different scenario. However I did note that Winco makes many of the products they sell in the stores. So even though the shelves were fully stocked it was mainly their product filling the shelves. I asked two people a question 1 in Walmart the other in Winco. The lady at Walmart was taking photos of their stock. I. Turned to her and simply asked ‘you guys are running out of everything? She looked at me and had this look of true fear in her eyes and nodded yes.
At Winco I asked a man there why their isles where so stocked compared to Walmart, we know the answer. But then he too turned to me and said that despite the store selves being stocked he had only received 1/3 of his total order.
p.s the price of everything in Walmart was far more expensive then anything in Winco…
Oceanside/Carlsbad CA
WalMart had no dried pasta last week – shelves were completely bare. Our WinCo was pretty well stocked. WinCo is employee owned, so I do wonder if that has anything to do with it.
Believe it or not, I couldn’t find fresh cabbage today at Stater Brothers, but they did have a few heads of some pretty tired looking (and expensive) organic ones. Weird.
South Central Pennsylvania. Carlisle, Pa is one of the largest shipping hubs in the country. It’s located 12 yr driving distance from 70%+ of the USA population.
The tractor trailer traffic is un-precedented lately. Normally, we see a tractor trailer every mile or so on our interstates and bypasses. This week, it’s back to back tractor trailers, headed in every direction.
our stores are missing ; chicken, fish and steaks. If they’re here, they’re 50% price increases.
Our produce is non existent and sad looking. Paper products at 50% inventory and pet foods are wiped out.
Lots of frozen foods available except for frozen pizzas.
I drove down 81 and through Carlisle a week ago. Truck traffic on 81 was very heavy. Curious that with all the trucks out, why are stores down in stock on FOOD?
Scarlett, agree with you. The Greater Harrisburg Metro (close to 2 million in population) is the major shipping hub for the East Coast. The major chains, very low or non existent stock. The Ethnic grocers have stock due to them sourcing directly from the farms. The Indian and Nepaling have stock, Chinese/Asian somewhat. Check the local butchers for meats. Groff in Lancaster County.
We are in the grocery basket of the East Coast, and are seeing shortages. Be smart where you shop.
Remember one thing, during the meat crisis in the early 70’s people over bought and a lot of the meat went bad. Therre was an excavation and study of several garbage dumps several years ago, and a surprising find was the amount of meat that was thrown away during this time period.
Make sure you can save and preserve what you buy.
Gene Wengers hamloaf
What about a shortage of popcorn?
Got to be a lot of people buying it right after listening to Joe Biden.
Or vodka.
Have not seen it in Wegman’s, Harris Teeter, Safeway or Food Lion as yet. Hubby said he saw it Giant a few days ago.
Where are you?
I live in WNY where Wegman’s started.
havnt seen top ramen in a month.
Generic pastas ok, non generics getting rare.
Didnt have soda crackers for over a week. Got one case in.
Couple times a month, milk is spotty.
TP running low. Mostly generics.
Organic produce comparable price to the non organics.
Not a single can of water chestnuts in town, according to a panic stricken shopper the other day.
Shleves are obviosly restocked one case at a time. No black beans for two days, and then 12 cans arrive. thats it.
Where is this?
western wash
“havnt seen top ramen in a month”
Probably caused by a lot of demand. A classic staple of college kids trying to save money or anyone limiting expenses. Plus, they store forever.
I used to buy these because I love them, but they haven’t been available at Walmart since the COVID scare began and when they are available in convenience stores there is maybe one variety and never my favorite, spicy chicken. This has been up on their web site for two years now:
Maruchan Yakisoba noodles
Due to an unusually high spike in demand, many of your local stores may be out of stock of your favorite Maruchan items. We are working closely with our grocery store partners to ship as much product as possible but we ask for your patience during this time. Please be safe and follow your local health department guidelines. Together we can beat the spread of the Coronavirus. Thank you for understanding.
Ramen runs out FAST!
In SE North Carolina, the shelves for frozen potatoes have been bare or near bare. We don’t use a lot but we bought a couple of bags last week after seeing your list last week. Shelves are much leaner than normal on many items. We were in Charleston, SC yesterday had to stop at 3 gas stations to find an open restroom for my wife, they were out of tp and hand soap, maybe just coincidental ?
Hi all. Dairy cases here in Las Vegas/Henderson. No aerosol whipped cream in many store and limited sizes on the shelves in others. but plenty of heavy whipping cream in various sizes at all stores. I’m surmising it is a packaging issue.
No potatoes will be in the stores while Mr. Potato Head, aka Mr. D!ck Head, aka sh!t for brains, is pooping in his Depends in the White House
Oh come on Rev. tell us how you really feel…
In my area of SW Miami, FL
Frozen Potatoes (French Fries) – Publix and Sedano’s has not had them in a few weeks. BJ’s did yesterday.
Gatorade and things like it – none at Publix or Sedano’s, not sure about BJ’s
Turkey and Ham’s no change at either place
Orange Juice has recently gone up in price at both
Pasta at Publix has been scarce for the last week or so
Meats have gone up in price
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is non existent in Publix and very scarce elsewhere
Nabisco Premium Unsalted Crackers are very hard to find, but you can find the salted ones everywhere, go figure on this one
Wet pet food especially the pates are scarce at Publix, but you can get them as of right now at Pets Mart
No potato shortage here…live in the land of “Famous Potatoes”. Haven’t noticed a shortage of anything yet.
Lynchburg Virginia. A friend there just told me stores are out of potatoes. Fresh and frozen.
Edit: Posted on the wrong thread.
A year ago I took a fancy to frozen hashed potato patties a.k.a. “hash browns.”
Can’t find them anywhere for the last month, in a very wealthy mid-Atlantic ZIP code surrounded by farms.
Drive belts for lawn tractors out of stock .
I bought two extra sets for mine in November from MFG Supply. https://www.mfgsupply.com/mower/mowerbelts.html
They just happen to be the place I purchased belts last.
In the past I’ve gotten belts from the OEM, auto parts stores, big box stores, small hardware stores and other online outlets.
Most lawn tractors use 1/2″ V-belts because they are widely used elsewhere; cars, trucks, farm tractors, heavy equipment, etc.
If 1/2″ V-belts are out of stock everywhere, then we have a bigger problem than not being able to mow lawns.
Happy hunting
From Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (northern panhandle of the state), we have some sections that aren’t stocked although by volume of SKUs, I’d roughly project 5%<x<8% of SKUs are out. Currently I’d rate it more as annoyance SO FAR.
Stopped at a store in Denver (as a side, I never wear the requisite mask and no one says a word as more and more people are doing the same), very low on meat (particularly beef) and paper products. Recently, we went to a Taco Bell and they were out of cheese and sour cream.
I go the the Meijer store, yeah that’s right the little weene Peter Meijer congressboys family, in MI. I never wear a mask or anywhere else in the Southwest MI area.
I never buy my “groceries” at Meijer but I will load up on their sale items.
I haven’t worn a mask in SE Mich since being on an airplane in early Dec. Yesterday, I took a grandson for a brief medical procedure. The receptionist asked, “Do you have a mask?” I said yes. And didn’t do anything. “Can you put it on?” I pulled out my Let’s Go Brandon mask and put it on until I was out of her sight. No one really bothers others about mask/no mask around here. If you want to wear it, fine. If you don’t, fine. Choices are personal.
Well played, 8!
Here in NYS masks are MANDATORY in med facilities. Unfortunately, they are rather prickly about it!😠
Friday our Jimmy Johns was out of their signature French bread. Had to go to another store in Chesapeake that had it.
A VERY noticeable 20%-30% increase in just about everything where I am in Northern California. Thankfully, I’m out of here in about 2 weeks.
Unbelievable.
Good Luck to you. Hoping to be out of here in a few years (if not sooner) as well.
Serious question. I have told none of my neighbors what is about to hit and I’m torn between giving them a heads up and keeping my family safe for when TSHTF what do I do?
I don’t understand the conflict? How does informing your neighbors impact the safety of your family?
Very simple. They know that I have food.
Let me ask, do you suppose the will figure out you have food simply by observation?
Maybe maybe not but an intelligent person can put two and two together. If you came to me talking about preparing for a food shortage I would immediately remember you after I ran out of food and would,quickly assume,you had food because you gave me the heads up.
I think you just answered your own question.
i guess I did….. thanks everyone.
Yeah. At this point, it’s all about OPSEC (operational security). All those folks showing off their pantries on YouTube are making a huge mistake. You should even be careful when unloading your groceries. Do it from inside your garage if you can. You should have several places in your home where food is stored. Out of sight, out of mind. Pay cash and purchase in an area where no one recognizes you. Don’t use a “rewards” card. Make numerous small trips to different areas. Pay attention to your surroundings (head on a swivel).
Not being dramatic. People will kill if they or their families are starving. This is all on the Brandon Administration.
#FJB
You can get a throwaway rewards card. Make up a fake phone number and email, just use it for the discounts and pay in cash.
Discretion is definitely key. Don’t dew attention to yourself!
That what they make guns for – protection against whatever comes.
Because they will think you are crazy up and until they are starving. Best to look starving yourself in that situation.
That is actually a serious point many overlook. In a SHTF scenario, people need to forget dressing up to go out. Make yourself look poor if you need to. Oversized clothing, forget the makeup, jewelry, fancy watch or fancy car. Just sayin’.
In NH we are seeing large sections of toiletries empty at random times, in 2 different markets I was in this week. Lots of other spot shortages, or thin supply for random food stuffs, such as oatmeal and coffee.
Produce is a crap shoot as to what selections are available. Lower amounts of inventory are apparent and variety is more limited.
We have been laying in supplies for months. Ordered our garden seed in October and are ready to plant for seedlings when timing is right. Gardens fully amended last fall. We probably have enough food to last at least 4 months, maybe longer.
frozen spuds
monday at 4 pm
meijer 49417
imagine fast food drive thrus ‘sorry sir we’re out of fries’.
same date/place
plenty of turkeys just in time for valentines day!
/
Go for it, unless it’s Aldi!!!!!
Beachbum, I’m 49125
hey neighbor!
box of cheerios is so thin it hardly stand up on its own
Super Walmart in early morning after a night of what should have been restocking since no grocery stores have gone back to 24 operation in my area and probably never will… those days are over: no fried or rotisserie chicken, not even in the leftover refrigerated area for same; frozen, breaded chicken item shortage; cracker area amazingly empty; bread area empty -being restocked, but carts didn’t look even remotely adequate to fill the area; prepackaged cold cuts / sandwich meats shortage; plenty of paper towels; didn’t check in the disinfectant area.
Watch your cc if you have an account. Got hacked and card was used there and other online stores.
Pickup delivery doesn’t charge extra for the service, and will substitute items at no extra charge. So you save money by being disciplined with your list, save money on the substituted items, and you save time (and avoid the whole mask thing).
And, because it’s online ordering, you can “clip” coupons and apply points easily. Save quite a bit of money.
Makes shopping at mask prices Target a pleasure!
Can’t help but think that TPTB will make rural Red areas feel the pain first and hardest.
Will be kind of hard since people in rural red areas are precisely the kind of people who have been preparing for such a time as this…
Wally world has been out of potatoes for months now. I bought some frozen Ore Ida french fries last month from Food Lion and they were bad. Exchanged them out for another type of Ora Ida french fry and they were bad also. Tried the Food Lion brand and the same thing, bad potatoes. It’s a sad state of affairs. Hope y’all know how to fish!
Yeah we have had bad milk from Food Lion and also bad ground Turkey.
Quality has really gone down.
Fresh potatoes have been bad and getting worse over the last 6-8 months. I’m guessing they’ve been in storage way too long.
“Control Oil and you control nations. Control food you control the people” War criminal and Nixon handler Henry Kissinger
How do you discern the difference in this shortage vs. shelves not stocked due to a lack of employees?
Forgot to add here in central west coast of Florida I am not seeing empty shelves. Business as usual. Except I do see prices up on my usual products, ranging from 8%-12% increase and that’s at Walmart.
…”How do you discern the difference in this shortage vs. shelves not stocked due to a lack of employees?”…
Hence, the specificity of the items listed above. Very specific tell-tale signs.
Those signs are NOT related to employment issues.
they have enough employees to spread products they have plenty of all over so shelves dont appear empty.
look for shelving units to be removed for optics too.
Costco’s in Kansas City area removed one of the 4 refrigerated cases in mid-2020. Today I noticed more space between produce “aisles” in the non-refrigerated area.
Here in South Central Indiana, Chicken nuggets and French Fries just went up 20%. That’s gonna piss of the Moms big time.
So far here in North Texas (as of 2 days ago) stores are socked up and have plenty of stuff.
But, I haven’t been to store in 2 days so I don’t know today what’s the status.