Canned pumpkin shortage [moved from Boston board]

[SuperFineSugar]

Does anyone know why the shelves where the canned pumpkin is supposed to be are dead empty in every grocery store I've been trying lately? It's Fall. I'm ready for some pumpkin bread, or pie, or anything, but I can't find canned pumpkin anywhere, and the clerk said he hadn't been able to get it for months. Does anyone know what's causing it, and will it reappear before Thanksgiving? Because that would be just tragic if it weren't.

[twobeaglegirls]

the question is why in july of 2011 pumpkin is still 2.89 a can at walmart? the shortage and higher price was supposed to be because of bad weather. now that they got their price up, they are happy and we have to shell out for it. i think it is ridiculous!!!

[papoos]

I live in Selah Washington canned pumpkin has been taken off all grocery shelves & recalled, the reason being is due to contamination in the cans, have not been able to find any at all it is major news here, hope it is back on the shelves before Thanksgiving, need to make my Pumpkin Nut Bread & my Pumpkin Nut Cookies

[coll]

The only pumpkin recall I can find is a pumpkin butter, a brand I never heard of.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/feat...

[jujuthomas]

There was a sign in my local Giant the other evening saying that they may run out of pumpkin due to a shortage. I use it in my morning oatmeal, as well as holiday baking so I am stocking up - a few cans each trip.

[HillJ]

Some seriously delicious alternatives if the canned pumpkin is still an issue for you:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/11/ca...

[greygarious]

Since the canned pumpkin in stores is usually mostly from the previous year's harvest, anyone who would be seriously disappointed by another shortage should stock up whenever they see it in the supermarket this fall and winter.

[FrankD]

I honestly don't see what the problem is. If pumpkin isn't available, just substitute baked sweet potato; I've done it many times, and there's hardly any difference in taste or texture.

[hummingbird]

Tonight on local news (Boston area) they mentioned Libby was having a problem, and it may be an issue.

I haven't had a problem getting it in Ma or NH in the last couple of weeks, but I only buy a couple of cans.

[Bob W]

Last weekend I bought two three-packs of big cans of Libby's canned pumpkin from our local BJ's (Fair Lakes, VA). They carry it seasonally and seem to have a good supply.

We actually add it to our dog's kibble. She loves it.

[Anne]

Folks, this may be a problem again soon. From today's Peoria Journal Star:

"Our calculations indicate that (Libby's) may deplete its inventory of canned pumpkin as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday (Nov. 26),"

Here's the rest of the story:
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x165950210...

[coll]

I am SO glad I stocked up, despite my best intentions.

I just passed a pumpkin field here on Long Island and there were thousands and thousands of pumpkins just sitting there turning to mush, but not from the weather. Most people here buy 5 or 10 just to stick on their front doorstep, the only ones that eat them are the squirrels, don't know why so many left this year...the traffic was a nightmare since Labor Day so it's not like the Pumpkin Pickers weren't out in full force. What a waste (unless that's how they plant the seeds for next year?)

[flourgirl]

I couldn't find canned pumpkin either but it's back on our local stores' shelves now. Whew. I stocked up just in case it disappears again...

[coll]

Just found it yesterday myself, only bought 4 cans though. $2.79. Hopefully it won't run short again this year.

[Eldon Kreider]

The shortage was caused by a poor crop in 2008 in central Illinois, which supplies a very high percentage of the canned pumpkin in the United States. Usually, they have carry-over stock from the previous year. That stock was exhausted as was the 2008 crop, so the pipeline was empty until the 2009 crop got into stores. The 2009 crop has good volume but started maturing later than usual due to weather patterns. Consequently, there was a period when the manufacturer and most warehouses ran out. There should be plenty of canned pumpkin in the next year.

In a normal year the canned pumpkin in stores in September and October, perhaps later if there was a lot of carryover, is from the year before and has no connection to the current crop.

[coney with everything]

Similar issues with weather in Michigan:
http://www.detnews.com/article/200910...

Although I'm seeing plenty available, I haven't looked at prices.

[HillJ]

Libby's canned pumpkin for $1.59 in my area by the caseloads as of this week. The arrival is right on target for early October. I don't doubt the reports of shortage but if I hadn't read about these reports on CH, I would never have noticed a difference in availability.

[Anne]

Here's the latest info on this year's harvest & processing:
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x319025922...

[morwen]

The Food Lion and the mom & pop grocery store here in town have full shelves of canned pumpkin, Libby and store brand, both in big and little cans.

[BamiaWruz]

Stores here in Canada are full of the canned. I checked the labels and some are product of Canada, and others like ED.Smith are product of USA. No shortages here though it seems.

[Calipoutine]

Why is it that the ED Smith pumpkin is so much more expensive in Canada than it is in the US. Totally irks me( which is why I buy Libby in MI)

[Vetter]

Have those of you seeing a shortage checked Trader Joe's? Ours just started carrying cans of pumpkin AND butternut squash.

[coney with everything]

Canned butternut squash?? I'm checking for that today!

[monku]

Funny, this week at a few Costco's in the Los Angeles area I noticed they're pushing their huge fresh pumpkin pies for $5.99 each.

[coll]

Those were made many months ago......and frozen. Then baked off. Unless Costco is different than everywhere else?

[Infomaniac]

Commercial bakeris and food service management outfits like Aramark and Compass Group are still able to get canned pumpkin product. The cans are much larger and not labeled for consumer resale.

[coll]

Those big cans sell so slow they are probably from last year. I'll have to check with my spies whether Aramark makes their own or uses frozen.

Anyway, just checked Target, Walgreens and the dollar store with no luck. Glad I didn't have my little heart set on pumpkin just yet.

[zzDan]

Make a squash pie instead. Go find some good winter squash in your market. Buttercup and turban squash can be very sweet. Bake them and then put them in a pie with pumpkin pie spices and some sweetener and other ingredients

[Kajikit]

Butternut squash makes the BEST pies or soups... especially if you roast it. You can also sub out sweet potato without most people even noticing the difference. Canned pumpkin is a convenience, not a necessity!

[coll]

That's why most frozen premade pies are made out of these and not real pumpkin. By US law, pumpkin is a squash, and vice versa.

[zzDan]

That's what I heard years ago. That squash is what is in these pies. Or a high proportion of squash.

[zzDan]

I defer to you. I have baked and eaten many winter squashes but never made a pie. I never do desert baking. I have no patience...for that at least

Winter squash is old timey food of sorts. People don't have proper respect for it. It is not eaten as much it was 80 years ago. I was watching MadMen season one on disc and Betty Draper starts musing over buying acorn squash at Keppler farm near her parents house......I thought that was cute and of that era.

[Kajikit]

They eat plenty of it in Australia... pumpkin is a traditional vegetable and it grows well in the Australian climate. Some are better than others though. The Queensland Blue is a traditional variety, but far from the best-tasting. I found it strange to have pumpkin treated as a 'Fall-only, baking-only' item when I moved to the US. I made pumpkin soup one time for church and nobody had had it before! (but they loved it...)

[greygarious]

A book of interest for lovers of the Cucurbitaceae family is The Compleat Squash, by Amy Goldman (she also has books on melons and tomatoes). She is an expert in the history, cultivation, and cooking of heirloom varieties. I don't have the book but have seen it. Luxurious photography, nonbiased evaluation of the potential of each variety, and intriguing recipes. It's a blend of gardening/photography/recipes by a passionate devotee..

[zzDan]

"A Passionate Grower's Guide to Pumpkins, Squashes, and Gourds"

The last thing I would get passionate about is the above. Not that I don't like eating them

[nofunlatte]

completely unrelated comment--was that you in the NYTimes comment section?

related comment--is Goldman's book evenly split between cooking/recipes and gardening, or does it lean heavily towards one or the other?

[greygarious]

Not me - I remember Goldman because she was a guest on Martha Stewart's old (pre-pen) show.

[zzDan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucurbita
Pumpkins. squash, cucumbers etc are New World vegetables so you are in the right place. Do you actually eat pumpkins in Australia or do you mean winter squashes? I think that in French and other languages pumpkin and winter squash are the same word

Winter squashes mature in time for fall and winter eating and that's their origin (I think) but I believe they are eaten in hot and warm climates these days

[mcel215]

We have none here, and I am 7 miles North of Boston....geesh!

[manraysky]

Oh wow, I thought it was just me! I buy canned pumpkin year round for my dog (for the fiber, our vet suggested it) and I haven't been able to find it lately.

[coll]

None at any of my usual grocery stores, although one had about a dozen cans of pie filling. Tomorrow I'm going to try Target and WalMart, although it sounds like there'll be some in supply soon enough. Also noticed very small supplies of canned yams, not that I use them but I think I heard something about whole canned yams being rationed too. Maybe because so many people are starting to home cook in the last year or so?

[Calipoutine]

I bought 2 small cans at Wal*Mart in Port Huron, MI yesterday. 1.38 a can. They had plenty!!

[tzurriz]

I saw it at Target in Orland Park, IL today. Had I read this thread before going out, I would have stocked up!

[Val]

Looks like the shortage is in various places but not ALL places...so that's encouraging. I did not see any today here in Naples, FL but as I said, my co-worker was the one who brought it to my attention and then I saw this thread.

[Eldon Kreider]

Note that many of these sightings are in locations that are not too far from central Illinois where the Libby's cannery is. The pipeline got emptied pretty well but is refilling. Supply should be pretty good in a month unless too many people go bonkers and hoard. It would be rational for Libby's cannery to refill the channel for their own brand before diverting production to private label packaging. This one cannery provides over 90% of the canned pumkpin in the United States. Apparently most if not all of the rest comes from Canada.

[tonina_mdc]

For what it's worth, here's some related information for those who are interested. The batch my husband bought today (he bought Libby pumpkin and we live in north central Ohio) indicated it was produced and packaged in Solon, Ohio, where there is apparently a large prepared foods plant. I have no idea if that means the cans produced there use pumpkin from Illinois or Ohio. Solon is about 20 miles from Cleveland in northeast Ohio, so I tend to doubt there's a lot of land devoted to farming there (it's more of a wealthy suburban area); however, there is plenty of productive agricultural land nearby to the south and southeast where Libby/Nestle could purchase or cultivate pumpkins.

[coll]

For some reason, I'm thinking the pumpkins could very well be coming from anywhere, like Mexico or South America, or even China. I have no idea actually. But as of this morning there is still no canned pumpkin to be found here on Long Island, I even checked WalMart and BJs. There isn't even an empty spot or shelf tag. Guess I'll just wait a few more weeks and see what happens. But unfortunately, you're right, when I see it, I'm sure I'm going to buy 10 cans!

[Anne]

From the Libby's website:

Q. Is the Halloween jack o’lantern the same as a LIBBY’S pumpkin?

A. Both pumpkins are members of the squash family grown on a variety of plant named Cucurbita pepo. However, LIBBY’S pumpkins were specially developed over time and are officially named the LIBBY’S Select Dickinson pumpkin. The LIBBY’S Select Dickinson pumpkin is smaller, squatter, meatier, heavier and sweeter than the Halloween pumpkin. It has a creamy texture and fresh pure pumpkin flavor – perfect for cooking!

Q. What state would you visit to find where LIBBY’S pumpkins grow?

A. LIBBY’S Dickinson Select pumpkins are grown exclusively in the rich farmlands around Morton, Illinois.

Q. How many acres of LIBBY’S pumpkins are planted every year?

A. Approximately 5,000 acres of Select Dickinson pumpkins are planted each year exclusively for LIBBY’S.

Q. When does the LIBBY’S Pumpkin harvest begin?

A. Harvesting traditionally starts around mid-August each year and ends around the last week of October.

Q. How long does it take to pick and can LIBBY’S Pumpkin?

A: It only takes approximately 70 days to pick and can all the pumpkins. And, to ensure freshness, LIBBY’S Pumpkin is canned the same day it is harvested.

[coll]

That's good to know! I should stop being so cynical. Libbys is supposedly the only canned pumpkin that is really pumpkin. That's why they brag about it on the label. And there is only one brand of pie that is, but it's only sold to restaurants. This is what I've heard anyway.

[nofunlatte]

Another Indiana sighting here--my local Meijer had exactly 9 cans of Libby pumpkin puree (28-oz. size) and one of Libby 28-oz Pumpkin Pie filling. They may well have had more in the back, but I don't know. I did NOT see any Meijer brand, which they have had in the past. Of course, this was Saturday afternoon and the shelves may have been less stocked due to all the shoppers.

[brilynn79]

I found it at the Carmel Whole Foods for 1.39 for a small can-much better than the regular store's price and its organic. I just saw on the news last night about the shortage. I won't survive without my weekly dose of pumpkin muffins. Just had one with mascapone-yum!

[pikawicca]

I found Libby's canned pumpkin at by local (Indiana) Kroger this morning. They had plenty.

[Babyducks]

You're so right. I went shopping this morning and the space for solid pumpkin was empty and there was plenty of the pumpkin pie mix..no way. Costco does have it in a 3-pack so I'll be heading there shortly.

[maplesugar]

I can only speak for my area... ED Smith canned pumpkin (796ml) is $2.99 at grocery gateway.com and they also list Pie Pumpkins for $1.99/ea (2-3lb size). There doesn't appear to be a shortage in Canada, although some retailers are certainly charging more than others - my local grocer had the large can of pumpkin for closer to $5.

[maplesugar]

Went to "No Frills" Grocery today they had plenty of generic and ED Smith. Smith's was $2.99/large can.

Noticed that Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk was a whopping $3.79/can though sheesh

[tonina_mdc]

Wow, almost $4 for a can of condensed milk? That's out of control!

[maplesugar]

Tell me about it... I'm blaming it on the popularity of Dulce de Leche. :)

[maplesugar]

OK I checked again today and it turns out the $4.79 was for the smaller can of pumpkin pie mix(which still doesn't make sense but at least it wasn't for the canned pumpkin). The large can of Pumpkin was $3.99.

[Anne]

http://www.heartlandconnection.com/ne...

[tonina_mdc]

I'm in north central Ohio and we did manage to find a couple of cans two weeks ago. However, there was no pumpkin pie filling (not necessarily a huge shame in my book!) and the canned pumpkin was hidden away in an odd spot low to the ground. Looks like the stores around here are almost rationing it. OTOH, this area had a pretty good pumpkin and squash crop this year from what I have been able to gather, so perhaps help is on the way. Goodness knows I had squash of all variety coming out my ears this year (till the powdery mildew killed some of my plants, that is....)

[Eldon Kreider]

Note several points elsewhere in this thread. Practically all canned pumpkin comes from a single plant owned by the Libby's division of Nestle in Morton, IL. This makes canned pumpkin peculiarly susceptible to supply problems if this small area in central Illinois runs into trouble, which it did in 2008. The variety used for canned pumpkin is different from what is generally available elsewhere. Pumpkin and squash supply in other places has no impact on canned pumpkin supply because there are no canneries elsewhere.

[tonina_mdc]

Thank you for the correction. However, I mean to imply that given that there was a successful crop of pumpkins and squash in this and other areas, it appears many of us may have a readily available alternative to using commercially canned pumpkin. I did not make that fully clear in my earlier posting. On the other hand, I'm not sure I merited the tone of the correction.

[jujuthomas]

I just read the other day (can't remember the source) that most canned pumpkin sold in the US is actually blue hubbard squash not pumpkin.

[tonina_mdc]

Hmmm...well, I have plenty of butternut squash around. Maybe I'll try that out later this month.

[greygarious]

I happened to see the manager when shopping at Market Basket today, and asked about the canned pumpkin. He said they expected to restock in mid-October, but that he had never before been unable to get it (he looks to be 60+). He mentioned the growing conditions as a factor, but also said that there has been a greater demand in his store lately, which he chalks up to an increase in the number of customers whose ethnic cuisine uses pumpkin much more than the typical American shopper. Normally, he
said, "nobody" buys pumpkin other than from October through the end of the year.

I have a large can from 4 years ago, when I adopted a dog who had loose bowels for the first few months, caused by all the new stimuli and better diet he had to get used to after life in a racing kennel. The pumpkin did the trick firming him up. Wonder what I could get for the Libby's on eBay....???? ;-p

[pikawicca]

If you're worried about Thanksgiving, see if you can find some Red Kabocha squash at a farmers market. Cook, puree, and freeze the pulp and you'll have the best "pumpkin" pie ever.

[forzagto]

I was told at grocery store today that there will be no more canned pumpkin until next year!

[forzagto]

I love canned pumpkin and use it all year. Just was at the store and compeltely empty here in Chicago as well.

[DallasDude]

For the past few years, especially 2006 and 2008 there has been a shortage of pumpkins in the Midwest and New England due to abnormal rains. I would venture to say that is the case this year. 2008 had a 40% decline in yeild.

I remember a particular episode of The Two Fat Ladies where they mention that Americans only eat pumpkins in pie form. I cannot recalled just eating slices of pumpin like I would any other squash, even though they are easy to handle, inexpensive and and quite flavorful.

[cinnamon girl]

Do you use it in things besides baking? Any favourites, Forzagto?

[DallasDude]

In ravioli, yum.

[coll]

All kinds of soups.

[nofunlatte]

An easy pumpkin curry.

[mcel215]

I made a Paula Deen recipe a couple of weeks ago with Sausage, Pumpkin and pasta. It was easy and really tasty.

[cinnamon girl]

Thank you everyone. Oddly it's never occurred to me to make use of canned pumpkin other than for pie etc. It's so nice and smooth too, w/ the fibres sieved out and all. Much easier than starting from square 1.

[forzagto]

I use it many ways but I am also an extremely healthy eater so some uses might not sound too appealing to others. I have it with chicken breast or pork tenderloin mixed up with balsamic vinegar, onion, garlic, evoo and broccoli. I mix it with a bowl of cottage cheese with stevia, cinnamon and nutmeg. Use it to top waffles or mix in the batter with added sweetness, use it to top toast with almond butter.

[coll]

I forgot, I like it in yogurt with some cinnamon and raisins.

[alliedawn_98]

I like to add it to oatmeal with a little brown sugar and cinnamon.

[jollijov]

I live in Portland, OR and I cannot find canned pumpkin anywhere. The shelves are bare for that product in every store I check - has there been a recall? I use it for my dieting.

[newfoodie]

Dieting? Is canned pumpkin low cal? Fill me in please!

[Val]

Yes, it IS good for you and low-cal...here's more information...
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/gui...

[coll]

High fiber and lots of vitamins.

[greygarious]

I live in MA, where a recent TV news report said that wet, cool weather we had until August was bad for pumpkins, and that they will have to be "imported" (I assume this means, loosely, other regions rather than countries) to meet the fall decoration/jack o'lantern demand. Those are different varieties than canning pumpkins but surely the weather affected the latter as well.

[lemons]

I can only speak for France, as I was there for Halloween two years ago. No jack o'lanterns, but lots of pumpkins for decor, often sprayed with a little silver or gold paint to vaguely suggest frost. Quite handsome, surprisingly. But what I really like is the French pumpkin soup.

[coll]

I thought Jack-O'Laterns originated in Ireland or England? Guess I should look it up now.

OK more than you wanted to know http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o%2...

PS I'll be checking out my stores later today, didn't realize I was going to have to plan ahead. I think I have one can in the pantry from last year.......I mostly use for pumpkin soup though. Wanted to try that pumpkin "crack" recipe I saw here too.

[bbqboy]

I'm glad carved turnips didn't become our tradition, that's for sure :)

[BamiaWruz]

I can speak for the middle eastern countries I lived in, and no, we eat our pumpkins mostly in a stew or soup, tagine or make jam!

[Eldon Kreider]

A very high percentage of canned pumpkin comes from a small area near Morton, IL. The crop of canning pumpkins was low in 2008 but is expected to be good but not outstanding this year. New England weather is irrelevant.

[Anne]

You are correct, Eldon Kreider. And this year's pumpkins grown in/around the Morton area are just now being harvested. It will take a while before they are processed, canned, and shipped to markets. I live less than 30 miles from Morton, and canned pumpkin is even hard to find here!

[LindaWhit]

New England weather is irrelevant.
~~~~~

I'm a little late reading this thread, but greygarious's post had to do with decorative pumpkins for carving; not for canning. As it relates to the pumpkin supplies for New Englanders to carve and put on their doorstep, yes, the weather was relevant.

[morwen]

Canned pumpkin may be in short supply but piles and piles of those big orange globes are showing up around here. Preparing pumpkin for baking is dead easy and tastes much better than canned.
Wash the pumpkin, remove the seeds and cube. Bake at 350 degrees until fork tender. Scoop the flesh off the rind. Cool, drain if necessary. Puree and pack in heavy duty plastic bags or in plastic containers and freeze. Sometimes after I puree it, if it seems too runny, I'll pour it into a triple cheese cloth lined colander and allow it to drip for awhile before packing.

[pikawicca]

Those huge Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins are not meant to be cooked -- they yield a watery, stringy mess. Even the little pie (or "sugar") pumpkins produce results that very few people can pick out from good canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling).

[morwen]

YMMV, every year I make pumpkin butter and pumpkin puree from orange pumpkins. No problems here.

[alliedawn_98]

I've used the large jack-o-lantern pumpkins for cooking. I just roast and then puree in the food processor. Roasting uncovered allows the juice to evaporate and I haven't had any issues using my puree in recipes. I do prefer the pie pumpkins for roasting and now have 8 of them sitting around the living room waiting for me to get busy in the kitchen. I'll buy the pie pumpkins but occasionally, I can get the others for free so I'll make use of them!

I walked past the canned shelves in Walmart this morning and their shelves were full. I didn't think to look at the other two stores I have been in this weekend.

I am in northeastern Indiana.

[tonina_mdc]

I'm in north central Ohio and the local WalMart SuperCenter had a decent amount stocked up today when my husband did our shopping. I'm going to take a deep breath and try to cook and puree pumpkin for some of my pumpkin baked goods this year. I haven't tried anything like that before, but I've cooked plenty of other squash in a variety of ways, so I'm hoping it won't be too different.

[Kelli2006]

I'm just east of your area and i have to visit 3 different stores before I found a store with 4 cans of pumpkin. I bought two.

[tonina_mdc]

Really! Where? There was plenty of pumpkin at the Walmart and the Kroger in Mount Vernon, OH, again today.

[Kelli2006]

I live in the Wooster area and the Wal-Mart was bare. I bought mine at Buehlers.

[tonina_mdc]

Ah! My husband used to work in that neck of the woods. Buehlers always seemed to be reasonably well-stocked when he would pick up things for us.

[alliedawn_98]

I was in another Walmart with a friend yesterday and she bought canned pumpkin. They had full shelves of both the pumpkin and the pie mix. The pie mix was $2.08 for a 15 oz can and the pumpkin was $2.28.

I roasted 8 pie pumpkins yesterday and ended up with 10- 2 cup freezer bags of goodness. I paid 2/3 for 6 of the pumpkins and .78 per pound for two.

[julesrules]

I wouldn't call it dead easy. "Drain if necessary" "if it seems too runny" - these are the sticking points for people who haven't done this before. It is easy to end up with a runny puree that might work okay for muffins etc, but will not set up as a pie. BTDT. I have attempted it again with more success, but for a once a year holiday pie, I'd rather stick with a standard product - especially since I don't find much taste difference.

[Infomaniac]

There is a canned pumpkin shortage this year. Bad weather from last year is the cause. You should see more on the shelf before Thanksgiving.

[Val]

I'm down here in SWFL and saw your thread title...too weird because we had a breakfast gathering here at our office today and the person who baked muffins said she wanted to make pumpkin muffins but could not find any canned pumpkin at 2 different stores she tried!!! She made blueberry instead (fabulous with lemon zest!)...but wonder what the deal is...?