KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A viewer who wrote NBC Action News over the disappearance of canned pumpkin products from area store shelves prompted a flurry of calls to merchandisers from Arkansas to Switzerland to identify the source of the shortage.
“Making your own pumpkin is out of the picture until the pumpkin patches open in two weeks,” wrote viewer Angela Bowman. “Target at 119th, Hen House on Black Bob and Hy-Vee on Sante Fe all did not have any pumpkin on their shelves.”
Calls to area stores for an explanation lead us to the leading canner of pumpkin puree, Libby’s, which is owned by the Swiss headquartered Nestle Corporation.
Calls to a French speaking office there lead us to an American office where a spokesman says the canned pumpkin shortage stems from last year’s harvest.
“Our harvest was smaller than typical and some consumers may have difficulty finding Libby's Pumpkin right now.” said Nestle spokesperson Loretta Ivany.
The problem has left many stores shelves empty nationwide.
“Pumpkin is harvested once a year beginning late August and into September, so for the last couple of months, there have been empty shelves in most retailers across the nation,” said Walmart spokesperson Caren Epstein in Bentonville, Ark.
This year’s pumpkin harvest is underway right now and a new supply will soon be on store shelves.
“The good news is that we are in the process of harvesting our pumpkins this season and you will be able to find our products on store shelves within the next few weeks,” says Ivany.
“Walmart will have pumpkin in all stores starting next week, now that the pumpkin has begun to be harvested, canned, and shipped.”
But, Walmart warns that you could expect to see empty canned pumpkin shelves before the start of next season.
“Due to poor weather conditions once again this year, it's looking as if the crop is going to be the same as last year,” says Epstein. “Not great news for pumpkin pie lovers.”
