Vegemite Stock-outs (and where to find now)

[Melanie Wong]

Last weekend I headed to Cost Plus in Santa Rosa to buy my first ever jar of Vegemite. Shockingly, the cupboard was bare. Well, actually, competitor Marmite, was squatting in the shelf-facing. A helpful employee checked inventory status and we discovered that every Cost Plus store from Santa Rosa to Monterey was out-of-stock and the importer’s next shipment of Vegemite would be next month.

Retailers selling on Amazon also appeared to be low on stock.

On Monday I left a message with San Francisco’s Australia Fair asking if it had Vegemite in stock. No call back.
http://www.australiafairinc.com

Then I contacted the stores below and learned that they were also out-of-stock.
Mollie Stone’s
Draeger’s
Oliver’s Market
Big John’s
Beltramo’s

I also called Sigona’s and Milk Pail and learned that they haven’t carried Vegemite.

Then a lapsed chowhound suggested Australian Products Co. in San Jose. A quick call uncovered that this appears to be Vegemite Central for the Bay Area currently, stocking a variety of Vegemite sizes (need a five-pound tub?) and Vegemite snacks too. Here’s the store's page devoted to Vegemite.
http://www.aussieproducts.com/vegemite.asp

Now having tasted it, the 400g jar ($15.95) will probably last a lifetime though the Best Before date is 15 September 2013.

Australian Products Co.
3680 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95117
[phone]
https://www.facebook.com/aussieproducts

[AntarcticWidow]

Another possible source is Mangal's Market in San Leandro. They import foods from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. It's been a couple of years since I've been but I think they do carry Vegemite as well. I prefer Marmite on buttered toast (sliced into soldiers) which are perfect for dipping into my boiled egg.

Mangal's Market
1699 E. 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94577
510) 352-3337

http://www.anzfjfoods.com/

[Melanie Wong]

Thanks, I may need more stuff when the dinner happens eventually. I've got TimTams and Jaffa candies at the ready.

What I'd been told by the many grocers I'd called is that their previous source of supply disappeared about a year ago and had not been replaced yet. Some of them said they would stock Vegemite again if they could find a supplier.

[Melanie Wong]

Forgot to post this photo of the Vegemite section . . . not just a one-jar facing. Promite is also sold here.

[Thomas Nash]

Vegemite is to Oz what stinky tofu is to Taipei. Both are best left at their home cultures.

[Melanie Wong]

Once again, my erudite hermano de chow, you've nailed it.

I needed it to make this cheese and vegemite scrolls recipe.
http://australian.food.com/recipe/che...

[Thomas Nash]

Did you have leftovers? Or were there enough Aussies present for the feast?

[Melanie Wong]

I had one Aussie on deck. But we've postponed the Grange dinner till another time, so the Vegemite lives on another day.

The Economist: Vegemite Abroad
http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/05/international-trade-0

Wall Street Journal:Aussie Delicacy Vegemite Loses Some of Its Savory Appeal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304451104577391960304859318.html

Grubstreet: How to Harness the Putrid Power of Marmite and Vegemite
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/06...

[Mission]

I use a bit of Vegemite in my Aussie meat pies.
You will still need the Worcestershire sauce to make them taste right.

Don't use Trader Joes puff pastry...its horrible.

LA Farine sells puff pastry that is great and about the same price.