What kind of shortages are you seeing now, and what are your strategies for your Holiday meals?
I was in our local grocery store yesterday (we live in a small Southern town). There was only 1/3 of the orange juice that is normally there. The case was almost empty. I don’t usually drink orange juice, but was shocked to see the case so bare.
The news of turkey shortages is all around. We will be having 12-15 people for our Thanksgiving dinner at our lake. I usually purchase a 20+ lb. turkey. When talking to the meat department at Kroger’s, they said that they had no idea as to when turkeys will be in and how many they will receive. What are the rest of you seeing?
I live in the 1970’s so we have Campbell’s green bean casserole for every holiday gathering. The other day, I went to the store and they had just enough canned green beans(the French cut ones we like) for Thanksgiving, not enough for Christmas, too. I bought what they had and drove across town to get the rest along with the soup and crispy onions. It took a trip to a 3rd store to get turkey stuffing mix and canned black eyed peas for New Year’s hoppin John. I hate stockpiling but we would be lost without our traditional favorites.
Our stores have no toilet paper or canned goods and getting cat food is a challenge. The good news is I went to HomeGoods the other day and they are bulging at the seams with holiday items. You’re just hard pressed to find the things you “need”.
I do all online shopping and have been trying to get turkey breasts for months from our two main grocery chains. When I couldn’t get 1/2 gallons of organic fat-free milk, I decided to try a third store, where I had to go inside. Not only did I get a month’s supply of milk (expiration dates in December), but I was able to grab two turkey breasts.
Interesting, we just had a turkey breast and a ham recently and my spouse got both on sale. I was able to quickly order my son’s b-day gifts from Amazon 2 days ago and they had the things he wanted available. Gaming accessories and books.
I plan on figuring out the Christmas gifts soon. Not going crazy but need to sort out the ideas and plan.
I did get extra toilet paper the last time I picked up staple groceries.
Things we have either heard of or have seen in the last week:
Lack of large cups at local places. They are asking you bring your own and they will fill any size cup for $.75.
Starbucks bottled drinks, grocery and local convenience store are out.
Organic Lactose Free Milk. (Actually any Lactose Free Milk). We need that for my grandson! We had to go to 4 stores before we found any.
Some toys for grandson we were going to go buy for Christmas were there on Friday but when we went back yesterday they were gone. Target said they weren’t sure they would get more in by Christmas. These are popular things like riding toys and Fisher Price Farms. I bought some toys we wanted for him early just so I have them and will order more soon.
The season runs through November 6th with a limit of five but, unfortunately, neither of us hunts. We’re spending the holiday with our son and his GF who works at a Publix. We’re hoping she’ll have good luck hunting there.
We have a local turkey farmer, too. Unfortunately, his prices this year put them out of reach for us - $50 deposit with a final price of $6.50/lb and his average weight is 17 lb…
Forget human food… I looked high and low for the special catfood my grandcats eat. None available anywhere! Hope there will be some in stock by the times the cats finish the last bag or there will be a kitty uprising!
Bookstores are expected to experience low volumes of books - at a time when it’s already tough for independent book sellers. Issues range from shortage of ink and general supply chain issues (from warehouse problems to shortage of truck drivers to deliver)
I ordered a book at B and N at least two months ago. They said it would come within a week. I’m not holding my breath. By the time it gets here, I will probably be able to either borrow from a friend or get at the library. Way to go to lose sales.
I ordered two candle lanterns from West Elm in March. Whenever I check delivery status, it’s always pushed farther and farther into the future. Last check, delivery was set for December 22. I just got an email saying they have been shipped.
It’s amazing, all of the delays in various product supplies.
I haven’t noticed a TP shortage, but I will probably look tomorrow. I would hate to see that become “a thing” again!
Libraries are also having problems getting their hands on newly released titles. You can no longer expect the library to have their copy ready to go on the official release date. (Libraries like book stores would get their books before this date so they would have them ready to go on the release date).
I don’t normally shop at Target but went this week to get my flu shot at the CVS pharmacy there (my local CVS pharmacy is awful). Anyway, while there I decided to pick up a few things, including cream of tartar for snickerdoodles. This was what the spice aisle looked like. No cream of tartar. Fortunately I still have enough for the batch I’m making to bring S19 this weekend.
For the most part, Target was fairly well stocked. I noticed empty shelves in the toilet paper/paper towels aisle but I dont get mine there.
My Walmart is so short on stockers that they closed down their curbside pick-up, so that those employees could stock shelves. I had to place an order with another Walmart.
