Food shortages are now starting to appear

[imrik]

We pull from a major MAJOR supplier...
Last week, our produce dept was shorted over 30 cases of product...
this week shorted 11.
Grocery shorted several items..
I was shorted a few items..(Meat Dept..)

Any others in the Food Business please share...

I'd like to know if this is starting to be widespread

[packyderms_wife]

Not food but my best friend was at Sportsman's Warehouse in Ankeny, IA over the weekend and they were out of most sizes of shoes, the sales clerk told her that would not be gettng another shipment of shoes until next month. She thought the guy was wrong/nuts and I explained to her what was going on and she still doesn't want to hear this. She's a manager at a local food coop and I ask her about once a week how things are going, shortages etc., and she keeps saying no but I suspect that this will change and very soon.

Kimberly

[hunybee]

at the grocery store last week, the meat dept had NO ground beef at all. i asked if they had some in back, and he said no. i asked why there was none, and he said they were shorted all of it, and he didn't know when they would be getting more....and that there were a LOT of very unhappy customers


oh yah... i looked and looked for dry eggs forever today. i found the man that did the ordering, and he said yes he knew what i was talking about, but he has been trying to get them for a long time, and he can't get any. he said that they have been having trouble locating any

[jolara]

Not food but my best friend was at Sportsman's Warehouse in Ankeny, IA over the weekend and they were out of most sizes of shoes, the sales clerk told her that would not be gettng another shipment of shoes until next month. She thought the guy was wrong/nuts and I explained to her what was going on and she still doesn't want to hear this. She's a manager at a local food coop and I ask her about once a week how things are going, shortages etc., and she keeps saying no but I suspect that this will change and very soon.

Kimberly


FWIW- In our neck of the woods, We have a friend who works at our local Sportsman's Warehouse and they have been, Ehem, 'struggling to pay their bills' for a few months now. They are short on Coleman (coolers) and Carhartt clothing for a while now with no idea when the supplies will replenish. Since Cabelas came over, I'm sure the competition is getting fierce. Kinda sucks since we prefer SW over Cabelas.

Sorry for the thread drift, Imrik. I'm afraid I don't know the grocery situation in our area regarding supply shorting.
On a consumer point of view, I do know that Wally World has had issues with keeping their shelves fully stocked at all times. I don't know if it was a Christmas thing or not, but I seem to notice that everytime I visit they have a large section (hard liquor being it's obvious lacking at last visit) that is not being replenished regularily. I've only grocery shopped there recently, so I can't vouch for the 'regular' grocery stores.

[momof23goats]

I went with my mother today to the store .to help her, and we saw plenty of empty shelves, and this is a huge store. They had things in the isle, as usual. but things like campbell soup, just the plain kind of soup, 4 for 10$. not much on sales for sure.
everything sky high. and the milk dept, was way low also. many things were skimped.

[nattybumppo]

Just a thought, I remember reading a thread that talked about people breaking into homes to steal food. I don't remember where but if I did, I post it here. Never-the-less, could it be possible it was stolen, maybe stolen and sold too?

[hd5574]

Not much hamburger at the store last weekend maybe 5 packages ~ Giant ~ large chain store ~ but a big sign that said all the ground beef was from the US, Mexico and Canada ~ which was really wierd ~ have lots of cattle farms here ~ so I can get beef ~ but it was strange ~ did get a bunch of beef short ribs on sale ~ the stores are strange ~ big holes on the shelves but not the same things at each store ~

hd

[alixi]

Im not saying there won't be shortages, but it could also just be the weather or some other type of conditions that empties shelves too. I'm in Portland and there was no produce because the freeway to Seattle was closed for several days. Trader Joes had pretty much empty shelves for the same reason. Also the snow storms emptied shelves out a lot without a way to bring new stuff in. Also, the gas supplies in Washington were really so they said on the news because the trucks couldn't get in to refill them because of slick road conditions.

[TRMP]

Just a thought, I remember reading a thread that talked about people breaking into homes to steal food. I don't remember where but if I did, I post it here. Never-the-less, could it be possible it was stolen, maybe stolen and sold too?

That was a thread over @ TB2k

But it was in the hush hush section so that would make cross posting a no no...

[nattybumppo]

That was a thread over @ TB2k

Well it must have been here too, I'm solely ttol.

[TRMP]

Im not saying there won't be shortages, but it could also just be the weather or some other type of conditions that empties shelves too. I'm in Portland and there was no produce because the freeway to Seattle was closed for several days. Trader Joes had pretty much empty shelves for the same reason. Also the snow storms emptied shelves out a lot without a way to bring new stuff in. Also, the gas supplies in Washington were really so they said on the news because the trucks couldn't get in to refill them because of slick road conditions.

I do business with some people up in that area. Fedex and other freight carrier deliveries were delayed due to said conditions. Wasn't the best time to really need something delivered asap.

[alixi]

I do business with some people up in that area. Fedex and other freight carrier deliveries were delayed due to said conditions. Wasn't the best time to really need something delivered asap.

Yep. I ordered a glass grinder for the DH for Christmas. It was due to be delivered on Tuesday before Christmas, the 23rd, and we finally got it on the 31st.

[packyderms_wife]

Well it must have been here too, I'm solely ttol.

It was here because I commented on the thread about my dad complaining about break ins back in August of 2008 and the only thing missing was food.

Kimberly

[Idaho Bullwinkle]

Why does the most important news come to us in such little tiny bits?
These small bits and seemingly insignificant bits of news are going to prove to be the most important. Never dismiss any information and never under estimate the enemy.

[Rhodie]

MRE Depot was out of canned Butter around Thanksgiving, then got some in before Christmas. Then they were out of canned cheese and got some in just before the new year.
Ordered a case of both, some for my family and some for friends.

As I have told some friends who just woke up, don't go hog wild and try to buy everything at once, but don't dawdle either. Quickly make a plan then move with a purpose, as things are getting pricey and or scarce.

[ShakinSouth]

Not food but my best friend was at Sportsman's Warehouse in Ankeny, IA over the weekend and they were out of most sizes of shoes, the sales clerk told her that would not be gettng another shipment of shoes until next month. She thought the guy was wrong/nuts and I explained to her what was going on and she still doesn't want to hear this. She's a manager at a local food coop and I ask her about once a week how things are going, shortages etc., and she keeps saying no but I suspect that this will change and very soon.

Kimberly

Clothing retailers are between shipments because of change in seasons.

[ShakinSouth]

We pull from a major MAJOR supplier...
Last week, our produce dept was shorted over 30 cases of product...
this week shorted 11.
Grocery shorted several items..
I was shorted a few items..(Meat Dept..)

Any others in the Food Business please share...

I'd like to know if this is starting to be widespread

Are you sure the company is paying it's bills in a timely manner?

[louise]

I think the produce the last few weeks has been sitting somewhere, lemons, limes, oranges, ginger, and such. It's like they have been frozen, or lay somewhere too long. I was there at 9am while they were taking this out of the boxes. I told them, first I'm not paying these high prices when it looks like something is wrong with them fresh out of the box. I don't know if they are from the States, Mexico, or maybe they have been sitting in containers too long. The manager said they have been getting things late, or not at all. Strange...indeed!

[ShakinSouth]

Even the very small locally owned grocery stores here are extremely well stocked. Produce, milk, meat...all of it. fwiw

[ShakinSouth]

I think the produce the last few weeks has been sitting somewhere, lemons, limes, oranges, ginger, and such. It's like they have been frozen, or lay somewhere too long. I was there at 9am while they were taking this out of the boxes. I told them, first I'm not paying these high prices when it looks like something is wrong with them fresh out of the box. I don't know if they are from the States, Mexico, or maybe they have been sitting in containers too long. The manager said they have been getting things late, or not at all. Strange...indeed!

Jmo, we have that happen here too. At Kroger. It's a money thing, not a supply thing here. The store buys second rate product and charges first rate prices some of the time. Walmarts stuff looks like crud too. However, our locally owned store always has fresh, first rate produce. If they once in a while have #2 products, they run a special on it. They don't seem to gouge the custome like Kroger does. fwiw

[Ben Sunday]

No obvious shortages here in New England.

In the past two weeks, I have made several stops at Shaws, Save a Lot, and Shop Rite. All three were well stocked, although some minor price increases (in the 10 to 15 cents range) were noted.

The weather and road conditions could be a factor in some areas, imho.

[kelee877]

Up here in goomerville(northern Ontario) Canada...I have noticed empty spaces on the shelves, but next time I go back they are usually filled...last time I was at the grocery store the meat dept was empty...I had to go to the mall grocery store to pick up a few things(always a bit pricer there)....

Will keep my eyes opened...during winter months it is harder to get stuff up here, we have one highway coming in and the same one going out..and if it gets closed down..well we have to wait for stuff...

[Southpaw]

I've noticed in my neck of the woods in GA that a lot of the brand-specific groceries I used to buy I can't find anymore. They are being replaced with store brands. After Christmas the shelves were bare, but they were stocked well yesterday.

[Limner]

SIL went to the Franklin, IN walmart last week, and she bought the last gallon of water off their shelves and there was no catfood. Hadn't talked to her for the details, but MIL said that there was a BUNCH of other stuff on her list that she was not able to get.

[MtnGal]

I shop two chains, the smaller chain is getting deliveries every two weeks so there are empty places and the produce like someone mentioned looked like it was kept too cold too long. The vendors are delivering as usual, just smaller deliveries. The larger chain is still getting weekly deliveries and their produce looks good. Shelves aren't full to the back.

Sam's seemed like normal. Prices up from last visit

[CWR]

Like Southpaw said everything is stocked quite well here. I am noticing more store brands as well. A New Food Lion opened here and it is stocked to the max. They all are.

I have noticed that other stores are cutting prices to compete with the new Food Lion.

[NathanKemper]

I work in the food industry, and my location is working 6-day weeks at record levels of volume. So at least in my situation, the product is available, it's just in inventory somewhere unfortunately. I do notice the fluctuations in prices and buildup of inventory, as well as the sparse shelves when I visit stores. What intrigues me is SPAM - the cost of trim, which is its ingredient is no more than 40 cents per lb right now, yet a can of it is priced over $3. That 12 oz can probably has at most 40 cents (including spices, etc) of actual raw material, then add on whatever they have for labor and packaging, I bet Hormel has record profits just on that one product!!! :shock:

[packyderms_wife]

Up here in goomerville(northern Ontario) Canada...I have noticed empty spaces on the shelves, but next time I go back they are usually filled...last time I was at the grocery store the meat dept was empty...I had to go to the mall grocery store to pick up a few things(always a bit pricer there)....

Will keep my eyes opened...during winter months it is harder to get stuff up here, we have one highway coming in and the same one going out..and if it gets closed down..well we have to wait for stuff...

So are there a lot of preppers in your neck of the woods then? I'd have to have a whole beef in my freezer in order to feel good about living there in the winter! As it is the new deep freeze we bought won't hold a whole beef and it's 21 cubic feet.:cry: Dh and I are still trying to figure this one out.

Kimberly

[stillprepping]

may i humbly suggest considering making this topic a 'sticky' thread (that stays on top all the time)?

perhaps its not appropriate right at this moment, or perhaps a "combined thread" on shortages in general is more appropriate .. but i believe it will be important to learn about lots of the 'small details' on such shortages if and when they begin. we all want to stay ahead of whats happening and hearing about different peoples observations is critical. jmho.

[hunybee]

i understand what shakinsouth is saying. it very well could be that some of the shortages and empty shelves are due to non payment, but.... does it really matter the reason why to the person in a smaller town that only has 1 or 2 choices in shopping, and they can't get what they need? there are still empty shelves, regardless of the reason

[squeeks]

DD uses Walmart's brand of formula for her son - it has been out of stock for the past two weeks. I had just told her she oughta get enough to last him until he can change to milk, another 3 months, and she was planning on doing that - except it isn't there to get.

squeeks

[nattybumppo]

DD uses Walmart's brand of formula for her son - it has been out of stock for the past two weeks. I had just told her she oughta get enough to last him until he can change to milk, another 3 months, and she was planning on doing that - except it isn't there to get.

squeeks

Didn't all that come from China, and they were killing their own children with it?

[Irene texas]

I ordered shoes from Footsmart catalog and that was back in Dec 2nd. I have called and called and they tell me they will have a shipment soon. Shoes come from China folks. I will not order shoes again. This is the beginning of shortages of clothing and shoes. I hope you all got your panties and shorts, and socks and shoes.
Irene

[GrayGal]

Went through Home DePot in Hilo yesterday with a friend. There was a huge section up near the front that was vacant. It seemed to be where the Christmas stuff was, but generally right by the front doors the stores keep that area stocked with whatever seasonal stuff is next. It just seemed odd for the whole seasonal area to not have anything in it other than debris from the season before. Maybe they were in the middle of changing the goods there, but it sure seemed dusty and desolate.

Back in the garden section we saw several Home DePot clerks discussing with a local supplier where their plants could go. They were unloading a box van of plants and giving the supplier an extra aisle and a half of space that the supplier didn't usually get so they were deciding how to set up the extra room.

[Disastercat]

Shortages of pet care products, no cat litter or store brand dry cat food (in the discount store). This does happen here sometimes, we are hoping to get cat litter in a larger town. We've discovered during past "the truck didn't come" experiences that our house cats will ignore gravel from the yard and potting soil doesn't float their boat either. If things really impload they will have to deal (probably a combination of gravel, saw dust and an outdoor run during safe periods).

Also, sewing notions nearly gone at local department store, but store also having a massive sale on everything. However a friend reports the notions area nearly empty last month two so I'm watching this, we don't have another place to buy them without going out of town.

Packages are getting smaller, there have been no laundry baskets for a couple of months, now stores have got them in but they are tiny, brittle and the same prices as the larger ones were. I got two to hold us over, but I don't expect them to last a month. DH says he can use broken ones for water plants so they won't be a total loss if they fall apart quickly. There was the choice of the old style basket in one store but I'm just not going to pay about twelve dollars for a simple plastic laundry basket. I can use shopping bags if the baskets cost that much!

Many, many people now are just driving to Northern Ireland for their shopping, so this could be affecting supplies down here, with stores just not ordering. We're hoping to do some shopping up North at the end of the month when we have to go up their anyway. This is becoming a chicken and egg problem, fewer goods down here means more people go up there. Also, the prices are becoming so much cheaper that even with gas four times as much as in the US, it is still worth the drive.

[packyderms_wife]

Went through Home DePot in Hilo yesterday with a friend. There was a huge section up near the front that was vacant. It seemed to be where the Christmas stuff was, but generally right by the front doors the stores keep that area stocked with whatever seasonal stuff is next. It just seemed odd for the whole seasonal area to not have anything in it other than debris from the season before. Maybe they were in the middle of changing the goods there, but it sure seemed dusty and desolate.

Back in the garden section we saw several Home DePot clerks discussing with a local supplier where their plants could go. They were unloading a box van of plants and giving the supplier an extra aisle and a half of space that the supplier didn't usually get so they were deciding how to set up the extra room.

Plants/Gardening WILL be the big thing this year. The local news shows at noon, you know when they have the local segment, have been all about cooking and gardening this winter oh and getting a higher R value out of ones home.

Lets hope that stores/suppliers have paid attention and are stocking accordingly. I was at a local feed store this weekend and they still dont' have 2009 seeds in yet, he told me that they are about a month behind, they typically get them in December and then start to put them out after the first of Jan.

Btw I been wanting to tell y'all that our local Sams club which has always had the electronics front and center when you walk in the door has diminshed their electronics display. Now it's all about cooking and cooking gadgets! You walk in and the first thing you see are kitchenaid mixers.

Kimberly

[PeterGunn]

I hope you all got your panties and shorts, and socks and shoes.
Irene

Yep, in our household everyone gets socks and underwear for Christmas.

[TXBSAFH]

DD uses Walmart's brand of formula for her son - it has been out of stock for the past two weeks. I had just told her she oughta get enough to last him until he can change to milk, another 3 months, and she was planning on doing that - except it isn't there to get.

squeeks

Wally World, Sams, Target, and I think Walgreen formula is all made by the sme outfit. My twin daughters loved Sams, but also had no issue on the other 3. Quite possibly all the same.

[cyberiot]

My Phoenix-area Albertson's had one side of a stand-alone dairy case completely stocked with nothing but house-brand gallons of water. All the shelves were aggressively fronted, but many were only one or two products deep.

The nearby Bashas' has eliminated its health-food section and replaced it with Food Club brand items.

[Limner]

Lets hope that stores/suppliers have paid attention and are stocking accordingly. I was at a local feed store this weekend and they still dont' have 2009 seeds in yet, he told me that they are about a month behind, they typically get them in December and then start to put them out after the first of Jan..

Kimberly

Kimberly, I have wondered about that...usually I see seeds at Rural King right after Christmas, and there have been none the last time I was there. That's been a few weeks ago, so I am anxious to see if they have any when we go in shortly. Folks, PLEASE---if you can, order your garden seeds NOW, so you'll KNOW that you'll have them.

[sierrahpbt]

Not much hamburger at the store last weekend maybe 5 packages ~ Giant ~ large chain store ~ but a big sign that said all the ground beef was from the US, Mexico and Canada ~ which was really wierd ~ have lots of cattle farms here ~ so I can get beef ~ but it was strange ~ did get a bunch of beef short ribs on sale ~ the stores are strange ~ big holes on the shelves but not the same things at each store ~

hd
Its amazing that there does not seem to be enough, yet the prices for beef are going down! with the droughts a year or so ago many ranchers sold off their herds. Maybe this is starting to catch up!

[louise]

I agree! Lots of farmers had to sell their young ones, as they could not afford to feed them! That would be a dot!

[Milk-maid]

We pull from a major MAJOR supplier...
Last week, our produce dept was shorted over 30 cases of product...
this week shorted 11.
Grocery shorted several items..
I was shorted a few items..(Meat Dept..)


OK, I'm not in the food business, but could you clarify some of this food store lingo for me? When you "Pull" from a major supplier, does that mean you order from?

Secondly, "Shorted"... does that mean it was paid for, but didn't arrive with the shipment? As in Stolen from the shipment?

MM

[goatlady]

Nothing mysterious, MM, to pull just means to order, take delivery from. If you are short, you are missing those items you ordered, as in your order was short those items. Not paid for in advance ever, usually payment on delivery for most businesses these days.

[danoon]

Not a shortage but we went to Food Lion yesterday to get dog food and the cans of 45-50 cent dogfood were 75-80 cents a can.. even the store brand. I only mix one can a day between 6 bowls of dry food to give it a little flavor but at this price I can get gravy cheaper [canned turkey gravy was 2-$1.00]. This is getting crazy.

[imrik]

OK, I'm not in the food business, but could you clarify some of this food store lingo for me? When you "Pull" from a major supplier, does that mean you order from?

Secondly, "Shorted"... does that mean it was paid for, but didn't arrive with the shipment? As in Stolen from the shipment?

MM

Pull = Buy from,

Shorted = Ordered but not received.

Are you sure the company is paying it's bills in a timely manner?

This company is a multibillion dollar food distribution co-op. Actually almost big enough to compete with wally world on the grocery stuff.

Boss talked with one of the honchos in Nashville today... Supposed to get back with us after investigating.

Either the wharehouse didn't get product to ship out, or the buyers didn't order enough.

Will find out and post.

[imrik]

I have gotten some info from a member who wants to remain anonymous due to personal reasons. Here is the info:


A relative who is in W-M management was in a meeting, either today or yesterday, where they were told to expect shortages in all product lines and groceries over the next few months. They are pulling/re-routing product to several of their ***** area Super Centers from rural areas and planning to cut back hours in those "smaller" stores in the near future. There will also be some "rearranging" to keep the gaps from becoming too noticeable.

That ties in with Vipper's reports about containers not moving.

It also ties in with my afternoon observations about cotton product inventories (undies, socks, etc) growing less and not being restocked. Men's is especially hard hit at W-M, Meijer, and Target.

[jolara]

Thanks for all the shortage heads up everyone. I will be keeping my eyes open when I head to town tomorrow and will report any noticible shortages. I can definately vouch for the anonymous member in regards to Walmart shortages. Like I mentioned in my other post, I've been noticing them for a few months now but kinda disregarded them due to the holidays.
In our area it's not a consistant item either. One week it will be dairy products and pork. Another week (or my next visit) it will be hard liquor and diapers etc. - :-D Just for the record, I only noticed the hard alcohol being low because it's stocked right by the milk and I couldn't help but notice the empty shelves while passing by. My preferred choice of alcohol is beer. :mrgreen:

[Ting]

packyderms_wife I also live in a small Northern Town in Ontario. Here it is like most places. The ones that prep prep the ones that don't, don't think about it. I know many here that go shopping for their supper after work each day and do not have much in the house. You would think they would think about it more as there is only one grocery store for a town of over 5,000 and the next nearest town of any size is an hour and half way.

[Cjihopso]

Here in southern KS at W-M and Dillon's the prices are steadily climbing, but they seem to be pretty well stocked. The local farm store, Orscheln's, had a 'lot' of ammo, dog and cat food, and all kinds of livestock feed. I bought a lot of ammo and asked if they were getting more and the reply was we don't know.

[prudentwatcher]

In my area I recognize a slightly different problem. Stuff isn't on the shelf, but it is because it is on sale and has been bought out. I noticed this today when I stopped by Publix to pick up a few things. Several items I wanted that were on sale were completely out of stock. This is very unusual. It tells me that people are starting to pay attention to prices and plan their shopping instead of just throwing stuff in their carts. To me, that is one of the indicators I look for on the state of the economy.

[ShakinSouth]

Went to Kroger this afternoon. With the exception of the onions, they had some of the best looking produce I've seen in a while. And lots of it. Some of it was cheaper than normal, namely the apples.

[Emily]

Went to Kroger this afternoon. With the exception of the onions, they had some of the best looking produce I've seen in a while. And lots of it. Some of it was cheaper than normal, namely the apples.

Yes - I went to Kroger's this afternoon too. And everything looked stocked and great - except they didn't have any Sweet or Vadalia Onions

[johngaltfla]

We pull from a major MAJOR supplier...
Last week, our produce dept was shorted over 30 cases of product...
this week shorted 11.
Grocery shorted several items..
I was shorted a few items..(Meat Dept..)

Any others in the Food Business please share...

I'd like to know if this is starting to be widespread

imrik, thank you for cranking this thread up.

This validates what the deli counter at a local WalMart told me on Sunday morning; they were shorted two cases and the dairy department (cheeses primarily) two cases.

I sense a trend of "random" rationing within big chains....

[johngaltfla]

Went to Kroger this afternoon. With the exception of the onions, they had some of the best looking produce I've seen in a while. And lots of it. Some of it was cheaper than normal, namely the apples.

Hope you looked at the country of origin....:shock:

[funkyducky]

We pull from a major MAJOR supplier...
Last week, our produce dept was shorted over 30 cases of product...
this week shorted 11.
Grocery shorted several items..
I was shorted a few items..(Meat Dept..)

Any others in the Food Business please share...

I'd like to know if this is starting to be widespread

Yesterday I was at Wegman's getting some cold cuts at the deli counter and they were out of their 98% fat free turkey breast (very popular item) and they had a sign up saying their warehouse was out of it and they expected it in tomorrow.

There were a lot fewer presliced coldcuts in the trays than usual. It was obvious that stuff was spread around to make it look full.

Something about waiting in line for the food and then them being out of stuff reminded me of pictures of foodlines in the Soviet Union.

[Spike n Ree]

Empty shelves of sugar, something were the tea was for $6.25 completely empty. $4.12 for great value coffee creamer it was $2.28 a couple months ago. One gallon of grape juice $4.72.

Spike n Ree

[Beaners]

Shelves were normal here...except for bread, milk, eggs, and toilet paper. Of course, the weather was bad today and everyone panics. We were just in and out, so I didn't get a chance to see whether the shelves were just fronted or actually full. No noticeable gaps in the food aisles though.

The "seasonal" grocery aisles haven't been switched over yet though. Usually the Christmas stuff comes down and something new goes in overnight. This has been a very slow, gradual shift. It could be that they don't have enough new stuff coming in to put out, I guess.

This is SW PA.

Kayleigh

[hunybee]

oh yah... the bread. that has been really low for months. but, i attribute it the fact that bread is filling, and (although expensive) cheaper than most other foods. i think lots of families are filling up on it and that's why it's so low

[emoemo333]

Went to local grocer this evening in so called 'poor' side of town. Kids had fun people watching while I looked. Shelves were pretty full as were fresh fruits and vegetables. The vegetables looked awful. Not a lot of meat but it was evening too. Prices are much higher as well though tomatoes were $1 pound but looked like they had something growing on them. We did not buy anything.

Also had to go to Kohl's and Penny's for blue jeans for child. All kinds of 70% off but they are clearancing for the new spring stuff. Lots of people window shopping but not a lot of buying. Actually made it out of mall without DS stopping by to chat with recruiters though he got a call from one on the way home. lol

I will be watching. I will be going to the local organic store soon (otherwise known as the aging hippie store) and will see what prices are looking like there.

[imrik]

oh yah... the bread. that has been really low for months.
I have noticed that my lunchmeat sales are up for this time o year...

soup and sandwiches I suppose..
dinner on the cheap...

[hunybee]

that's gourmet in this house :mrgreen:

[Lbuck]

We are no where near an interstate system. I heard, maybe from John G. last summer that rural area's would see reduced deliveries first. For a fact, and now conformation at our City Market (Krogers) and Safeway, they have been eliminating hundreds of items and shortening the shelves since last summer. I first saw it at Safeway as the shelf was faced with a scant couple of rows and a cardboard form running the length of the shelves in the back. Just before Christmas I was told by a long time employee that they have indeed been discontinueing many, many products and shortening the shelving almost weekly.

Was told by the produce manager that the prices on the produce seems to be so high few are buying and they have to destroy it, not allowed to give it away to food bank like they used to. I've noticed much of it is imported, which we don't buy.

We've been dealing with limited selections and shortages such as bread and dairy since summer. Also bottled water. The meat section in Safeway went from the entire length of one wall to 1/4 the length last summer.

Our closest Walmart has had empty shelves all throughout the food dept. since last summer.
They seem to keep the meat stocked and paper products, but not the food. Very limited quanity stocked on any individual item.:shock:

[mzkitty]

Yesterday I was at Wegman's getting some cold cuts at the deli counter and they were out of their 98% fat free turkey breast (very popular item) and they had a sign up saying their warehouse was out of it and they expected it in tomorrow.

There were a lot fewer presliced coldcuts in the trays than usual. It was obvious that stuff was spread around to make it look full.

Something about waiting in line for the food and then them being out of stuff reminded me of pictures of foodlines in the Soviet Union.


They will be building a warehouse nearer to you in the future.
That will help.


:)

[BuffaloCreek]

imrik, thank you for cranking this thread up.

This validates what the deli counter at a local WalMart told me on Sunday morning; they were shorted two cases and the dairy department (cheeses primarily) two cases.

I sense a trend of "random" rationing within big chains....
As some may know here, I haul for the Spam folks. Interesting this week:

I run from a Hormel production facility in the midwest to the Hormel east coast distribution center in the Dayton, Oh area, where I drop that trailer and pick up another trailer going to the southeast, this week my usual drop in Charlotte and then to Columbia, SC. Been doing this same run for going on 4 years. This week, for the first time I can remember, the load from Dayton to the southeast only filled about 2/3rds of the trailer and weighed only 26,000 lbs rather than the usual double stacked pallets all the way to the doors and 43,500 lbs.

Then, my return load is a raw product pickup for Hormel. Have picked this one up twice before. It's what are called combo units, big tubs of chicken. Only got 14 of them rather than the usual 22.

Called a friend who also hauls food products, he said the shutdowns over the holidays and then the weather problems in areas of the country has led to some plants being behind in product manufacturing. He got that from his buddy who runs a packing house in Kansas. Said no shortage of product as far as availability of cows, pigs, chickens, what have you, but problems in the distribution system with truck lines going out of business and cutting driver levels combined with the weather problems has put a crimp in the supply chain.

I'll let you know anything else I find out.

[Tink]

Went to Walmart and Dollar Tree today. Walmart was out of water in the gallon jugs. Have tried 3 different times to get it in the past 8 or so days. Haven't had it.

Dollar Tree which usually has their cheap china crap overflowing on the shelves was pretty barren compared to other visits. Usually have stuff in the isles too, not so today.

[Freeholder]

Watch the feed stores, too. Mine (Grange Co-op) was out of rabbit pellets the other day, which shocked the cashier -- she said they try never to run out of rabbit pellets. I have seen them out of chicken feed at times, though. Almost fourteen dollars a bag for either rabbit or chicken feed right now.

Kathleen

[Tristan]

Went by Wal-Mart today, and I have to say there were no conspicuous barren spots on the shelves; and prices were decent for basics such as sugar, flour, coffee (actually down a bit for my fav brand), coffee creamers, rice, beans, etc. The prices on the legumes has actually retreated a small amount from last year. I did notice that the canned tuna now is in a smaller can, as has been noted elsewhere.

Overall, not what I expected, but glad to see the pattern anyway.

[ShakinSouth]

Hope you looked at the country of origin....:shock:

I did. It was USA. I doubt the bananas were (for obvious reasons), but the lettuce, apples, and onions were.

[ShakinSouth]

P. S. I've been watching the country of origin for a while, and everything used to say Mexico. The past couple of months there have been a lot more USA products. Maybe people are catching on.

[Beaners]

P. S. I've been watching the country of origin for a while, and everything used to say Mexico. The past couple of months there have been a lot more USA products. Maybe people are catching on.

Or maybe they are just marking them as USA. I hate to sound so cynical, but I've seen it done before.

Kayleigh

[Emily]

Or maybe they are just marking them as USA. I hate to sound so cynical, but I've seen it done before.

Kayleigh

Yep- a lot of our stuff is marked: USA Canada Mexico

In other words - they are using the NAU but just spelling it out, for now, as UCM

[ShakinSouth]

Or maybe they are just marking them as USA. I hate to sound so cynical, but I've seen it done before.

Kayleigh

You've seen it because you are an insider, or you think that a store was fibbing? The apples had the Washington state stickers on them and the lettuce had "product of USA" on the wrapping.

[ShakinSouth]

Yep- a lot of our stuff is marked: USA Canada Mexico

In other words - they are using the NAU but just spelling it out, for now, as UCM


I've not seen that in this area at all.

[Beaners]

You've seen it because you are an insider, or you think that a store was fibbing? The apples had the Washington state stickers on them and the lettuce had "product of USA" on the wrapping.

I'm talking at the store level. I don't know anything about what happens higher up than that.

Everyone I went to high school with worked at the same grocery store. Individual items were not tagged or labeled, and there was a label or sign above the bin. Someone would be assigned to write or draw the sign. The source written on the sign that the public reads wasn't always the same as the actual source.

Kayleigh

[imrik]

Well, in today's shipment...
Produce had a normal shipment...
I had a couple of outs which is normal...
Dairy on the other hand....
had 21 cases they were shorted......Butter, ORange Juice...etc..

No word yet from the honchos on what the deal is....

[KuernoDeChivo]

I saw to major shortages at ChinaMart Tonight. I wish I would have had a camera or a fancy-shmancy cell phone but I will just tell you what I saw.

The first thing was Cheese. Almost no cheese at all and they were all the way out of Wal-Mart "Great Value" brand cheese. There must have been 10-15 feet of empty freezer space! It looked weird and set the alarm bells of in my mind.

The other thing was no surprise but the Hand-Written signs posted all around the sporting-goods section really hammered the point home.

Like I say I didn't have a camera so this is to the best of my memory!

We are completely out of the following ammo. .22, 357,38,.380,40 and 45-auto...Sorry For the inconvenience.
I could see a few boxes of 30-06 but that was it!

Holy Smokes!

[packyderms_wife]

I saw to major shortages at ChinaMart Tonight. I wish I would have had a camera or a fancy-shmancy cell phone but I will just tell you what I saw.

The first thing was Cheese. Almost no cheese at all and they were all the way out of Wal-Mart "Great Value" brand cheese. There must have been 10-15 feet of empty freezer space! It looked weird and set the alarm bells of in my mind.

The other thing was no surprise but the Hand-Written signs posted all around the sporting-goods section really hammered the point home.

Like I say I didn't have a camera so this is to the best of my memory!


I could see a few boxes of 30-06 but that was it!

Holy Smokes!

Plenty of cheese here but there seems to have been a run on vegetable oil though! Maybe everyone read the thread on the coming cooking oil shortage?

Kimberly

[AnnieOakley]

Was at Marsh grocery today and stopped in my tracks as I approached the produce section. I have never seen it so lean. If I didn't know better....they had a going -out- of business sale. I then went on to purchase a 20 gauge at another store and it was sparce on selection. Bought a Mossberg and asked the guy when they were going to get another shipment ....he said not until end of February. He also said they have been busy since the election. It seems to be getting harder and harder to (in my case) top off preps.

[cyberiot]

I saw to major shortages at ChinaMart Tonight. I wish I would have had a camera or a fancy-shmancy cell phone but I will just tell you what I saw.

The first thing was Cheese. Almost no cheese at all and they were all the way out of Wal-Mart "Great Value" brand cheese. There must have been 10-15 feet of empty freezer space! It looked weird and set the alarm bells of in my mind.

The other thing was no surprise but the Hand-Written signs posted all around the sporting-goods section really hammered the point home.

Like I say I didn't have a camera so this is to the best of my memory!


I could see a few boxes of 30-06 but that was it!

Holy Smokes!

AAAACK, Kuerno!! The sporting-goods sign rivets my attention, especially from your neck of the woods. In mine, WM doesn't sell anything but birdshot and clays.

Sonoma Beach.

[cyberiot]

Visited a Tesco Fresh & Easy store today. Shelves were easily 25-percent empty.

My location is a test market for WalMart's MarketPlace stores, which aspire to being direct competitors to Fresh & Easy.

This is not good.

[KuernoDeChivo]

You know one thing that I thought about with the cheese is that it was the cheaper Great Value cheese that was totally sold out. Maybe folks are changing their buying habbits going to cheaper brands... just a thought but honestly I haven't seen a stores shelf look like that since the LA riots.

[LP]

Things seem ok in my area, although for the last few months the shelves seem a little less, and stocked a little less frequently than I'm used to. I haven't determined yet if it's the economy, the past holidays, or what.

Regarding "country of origin" labeling. I do a lot of shopping at JC Penney online. I've noticed lately that they're saying "Made in USA or imported." LOL What??! You Don't know???

[Falls_Tech]

Plenty of everything in my AO except guns and ammo. The local Walmart is selling off remaining stock of ammo and not getting any more in. But it's all part of the new age with Obama.

[louise]

Can someoine can answer this question for me! When you look at the four numbers tag on a fruit, it will start with a 4***, which was locally grown, a 9***,
which is organic, and an 8*** which I understood as GM food. I'm seeing something new...a number 3***, and I have no idea what that means! Anybody know?

[CaptSkip]

Plenty of everything in my AO except guns and ammo. The local Walmart is selling off remaining stock of ammo and not getting any more in. But it's all part of the new age with Obama.

Same Sit-Rep in OKC. Plentiful stocks of food and general merchandise, but guns and ammo are scarce.

Did I miss the memo? Is Wal-Mart getting out of the ammo business??

[packyderms_wife]

Things seem ok in my area, although for the last few months the shelves seem a little less, and stocked a little less frequently than I'm used to. I haven't determined yet if it's the economy, the past holidays, or what.

Regarding "country of origin" labeling. I do a lot of shopping at JC Penney online. I've noticed lately that they're saying "Made in USA or imported." LOL What??! You Don't know???

I bought a garment from a local higher end shop at the end of thanksgiving sales and it stated that it may have been "made in USA, China, Mexico, France or Portugo (sp?)" How about that for covering your bases???

Kimberly

[packyderms_wife]

Plenty of everything in my AO except guns and ammo. The local Walmart is selling off remaining stock of ammo and not getting any more in. But it's all part of the new age with Obama.

Obama is only partly the reason, we know someonoe that works the sportng goods area at our local WM that hasn't been super sized and he says it's because WM has to have an employee that is 21 yo or older and with no felonies (this is for the state of Iowa) in that dept at all times. The No Felonies part is next to impossible to fill he told us! :shock:

Kimberly

[Falls_Tech]

Same Sit-Rep in OKC. Plentiful stocks of food and general merchandise, but guns and ammo are scarce.

Did I miss the memo? Is Wal-Mart getting out of the ammo business??

The manager at the local WM told me that all urban WM's will no longer sell ammo. Maybe that's just for Ohio. I don't know. Interesting they don't want any ammo in the cities but out in the sticks it's OK.

[packyderms_wife]

The manager at the local WM told me that all urban WM's will no longer sell ammo. Maybe that's just for Ohio. I don't know. Interesting they don't want any ammo in the cities but out in the sticks it's OK.

Nope they are getting rid of it here as well!

Kimberly

[Falls_Tech]

Nope they are getting rid of it here as well!

Kimberly

Well that's not good.

I wonder how soon they'll roll out the serialized bullet legislation? I wonder what WM is looking at.

[CaptSkip]

The manager at the local WM told me that all urban WM's will no longer sell ammo. Maybe that's just for Ohio. I don't know. Interesting they don't want any ammo in the cities but out in the sticks it's OK.

Thanks. Guess I'll have to shop in the fringe and rural Wal-Marts for the cheap ammo...when they have any.

[LP]

Well that's not good.

I wonder how soon they'll roll out the serialized bullet legislation? I wonder what WM is looking at.

They're probably distancing themselves from potential lawsuits when the killing starts.

[LP]

I bought a garment from a local higher end shop at the end of thanksgiving sales and it stated that it may have been "made in USA, China, Mexico, France or Portugo (sp?)" How about that for covering your bases???

Kimberly


LOL! If that don't beat all!

[Notayup]

Everything seems normal here in the grocery stores but I stopped at five different wallmarts on the way home from work yesterday (60 mile commute) Everyone of them was out of ammo except for a few boxes of oddball calibers & shotgun shells. I inquired as to when they expected to be resupplied and they all answered with basically the same "should be any day now, don't understand why it's taking so long"

[Milk-maid]

Same Sit-Rep in OKC. Plentiful stocks of food and general merchandise, but guns and ammo are scarce.

Did I miss the memo? Is Wal-Mart getting out of the ammo business??

If you listened to Steve Quayle on Monday (I think), he had a guest ex-LEO with supposedly good inside connections. Anyway, the supposed plan is to let the ammo run out and when they finally do replace it, the new ammo will be marked with RFID tagging that ties directly back to the buyer. (Every RFID tag is individually numbered.) You can still listen to the show FREE since SQ posted it to his website.
Years before, I heard this was going to be the eventual plan from Dr. Katherine Albrecht, who has a Yale doctorate in marketing techniques. She has blown the lid off many schemes that marketers and government has planned to do to track the population. Many, many insiders provide her with information that she has followed up on to make sure they were correct. She has a book called "Spychips." I know her personally.

MM

PS. Hubby had a suggestion about the new ammo, use that only for plinking innocently and keep your old ammo for "actual" use.

[BuffaloCreek]

Federal agency outlines
details of final COOL rule

Jan 16, 2009 9:06 AM


The United States Department of Agriculture has announced details of the final regulation for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program required by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills. Full text of the final rule has been published in the January 15, 2009, Federal Register. The rule takes effect March 16, 2009—60 days after the date of publication.

This rule covers perishable agricultural commodities (specifically fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables); muscle cuts and ground beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and goat; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; macadamia nuts; pecans; peanuts; and ginseng.

Commodities covered under COOL must be labeled at retail to indicate country of origin. For fish and shellfish, the method of production—wild or farm-raised—must be specified. Commodities are excluded from mandatory COOL if they are ingredients in processed food items.

The definition of a processed food item remains unchanged from the August 1, 2008, interim final rule. Excluded from COOL labeling are items derived from a covered commodity that has undergone a physical or chemical change—such as cooking, curing, or smoking—or that has been combined with other covered commodities or other substantive food components such as chocolate, breading, and tomato sauce.

Also exempt are foodservice establishments such as restaurants, lunchrooms, cafeterias, food stands, bars, and lounges.

The final rule outlines the requirements for labeling covered commodities and the recordkeeping requirements for retailers and suppliers. The law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for both retailers and suppliers not complying with the law.

The rule prescribes specific criteria that must be met for a covered commodity to bear a "United States country of origin" declaration. In addition, the rule also contains provisions for labeling covered commodities of foreign origin, meat products from multiple origins, ground meat products, as well as commingled covered commodities.

[Limner]

Local Franklin, IN Walmart report. They DID have the Purina one dog food...so grabbed two bags of that. My fav laundry soap was GONE...the space was there, but empty. I took the last bottle of Walmart Lavender fabric softener....lots of spaces on the fabric softener shelf, too. Dairy and cheese looked OK, and we did manage to grab six quarts of Nonesuch Mincemeat for $2.50 each---they were almost $5.00 each around Christmas. I wanted to grab more--we love the stuff, but it's too expensive to use very much.

Water shelves looking pretty picked over, as did the produce section. I had to look and look for a bag of onions that didn't have rotten spots in them. Didn't look at the bullets; it was at the other end of the store and Hubby was giving me his "I'm OVER this, we've spent too much money" look. I kept pointing out to Hubby all the empty spots.

OH, and the brand spanking new Goodwill was HOPPIN'. We had to look for a parking spot but I got two granite ware coffee pots, some food storage canisters, and some next size up clothing and a pair of Nike sneakers for little darlin' below and ---SCORE!!!! a brand new looking tomato strainer (the kind with a funnel at the top and you crank to squirt out the seeds in one spot, the sauce in another...) still in the box, for $5.00....WOOHOO!!!!

[Berean]

I was at the local Bass Pro Shop today. There were plenty of boxes of game loads. However, everything else was extremely low - less than 8 boxes of anything else.

[Vipper]

a brand new looking tomato strainer (the kind with a funnel at the top and you crank to squirt out the seeds in one spot, the sauce in another...) still in the box, for $5.00....WOOHOO!!!!

You will love the Victorio or Villaware press they are great and the price was great... Bet whoever dumped it is gonna want it back in a year or so :-P

When you were in the dairy aisle did ya notice that the Dean Cottage Cheese that use to be 32 oz (2 lb's) is now 24 oz. (1 1/2 lb's). Hubby got some Lucerne Brand yesterday(at Dominick's they are owned by SafeWay) because they were completely out of the Dean's and I still had one he bought last week in the frig and noticed the size change... Price did not change though...

They were out of unsalted butter also (ALL BRANDS), whenever I use something I toss it on the list for him to look for on sale to replace and add too. I use a lot of unsalted butter in cooking. So it was on sale and NO RAIN CHECKS... They were also out of stock on most of the sale items and the sale started YESTERDAY. I really didn't need anything, I just like to keep a good stock and have him buy on all sales the things I use a lot of.

My sister came over tonight to borrow something (like she will ever replace it LOL) that she needed for a recipe. Seems that Trader Joe's in Orland Park, IL was completely out and she had to bring a dish to a party tomorrow and could she borrow some... It was caper's of all things... She said the stock was so low there half of what she wanted was gone from their shelves or only really high price versions of it were there. The wine selection was really bad also only the expensive stuff was in large supply. So she borrowed a few bottles of wine too.

She couldn't afford the stuff they had. Ya think maybe if she kept a good supply in her house of things she used it would help her out... NO... She shops almost daily for food and items she needs. Dominick's is right down the street from her so why bother buyng in advance...

I could just scream...

Off to make dinner. She finally left and Fluffy Hubby is due home soon...

Kath

[packyderms_wife]

You will love the Victorio or Villaware press they are great and the price was great... Bet whoever dumped it is gonna want it back in a year or so :-P

Kath

I have the Victorio was my birthday present the first year we were married! You can but the additional augers online or at any major farm store. I have all of the augers and screens for mine. FYI I do use my food processor for a lot of things but the Victorio is most excellent for making applesauce etc.

A friend of ours has the Villaware and I will say that it is far superior - her's is all stainless steel mine is mostly plastic.

Kimberly