Pocono News Section

National Canned Pumpkin Shortage Not a Problem Here

National Canned Pumpkin Shortage Not a Problem Here - Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 5:00PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 @ 05:00pm EST
HANOVER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY -- A pumpkin shortage could have a big impact on your Thanksgiving meal.

Heavy rain destroyed many crops for Nestle, which owns a large share of crops used for canning. Eyewitness News went to a local supermarket to see if canned pumpkin is still on shelves.

Here at Gerrity's in Hanover Township, there's no problem with pie crust or cherry and peach pie mix. But canned pumpkin pie, that's another story.

Store Manager John Zionce said, "We received a memo that there might be a shortage of pumpkin so what we did is try to plan ahead of time and you know, order extra in advance. So we've been pretty good on it."

Gerrity's planned ahead to fend off a massive pumpkin crop shortage. Rain ruined a large part of Nestle's pumpkin crop. The company provides roughly 85% of pumpkins used for canned mixes.

Dana Daniels of Warrior Run is glad Gerrity's is stocked up. "I mean we make it every year and without pumpkin pie it's not Thanksgiving," she said.

Janet Gilroy of Warrior Run is in the canned pumpkin isle. She can't imagine thanksgiving without pumpkin pie either. "Oh honey, it goes together doesn't it? You got to have it, got to have it," she said.

And Gilroy planned ahead of the pumpkin crop shortage in another way - she grows her own. She's in the canned pumpkin aisle to finish up her turkey day list.

And Gilroy will make sure all those guests will have the chance to grab a slice of pumpkin pie after the turkey day feast.

The brand most affected by this crop is Libby's Canned Pumpkin Mix. Nestle estimates nearly 5,000 acres of its crops in Illinois have been ruined. That could pose problems for upcoming holidays like Christmas.