Retailers say stock levels of Thanksgiving essentials are down 36% on some items, advising shoppers you won’t have to cancel the big meal but prepare to make substitutions for some holiday classics. What you need to know.
Thanksgiving isn’t canceled, but you may need to substitute some items
First, some good news: Thanksgiving isn’t canceled. The Hill reports that Doctor Anthony Fauci has told us vaccinated families can “feel good about enjoying the typical” Thanksgiving gathering.
And with all the supply chain issues, if you’re worried about your Thanksgiving dinner – you won’t have to cancel that either, according to the inventory experts.
However, depending on the area you live in – some traditional items for your meal may be hard to find, requiring you to make a substitute. For example, serving lemon pie rather than pumpkin pie, or perhaps no pie, serves cake instead.
Retailers say that while they are not confident shoppers will be able to find every item they’re looking for; they believe people will be able to find alternative items for substitution.
The foremost question on everyone’s mind is, what about the big bird –turkey?
Here’s what one market research company and several food companies report regarding Thanksgiving inventory.
Thanksgiving food items: What’s in stock, what’s not
As of the week ending November 7, stock levels on essential items for traditional Thanksgiving meals are running lower, according to market research firm IRI, CNN reported.
Butterball and Cargill, two major Turkey processors say there is an ample supply and are both confident turkeys will be available in stores.
Stock levels of traditional Thanksgiving items
For the record, retailers typically prefer to maintain a 95% in-stock rate overall. As you’ll see, levels are some 30% lower on key items.
Turkey (frozen whole bird, fixed weight): 64%. (Last year 86%).
Packaged pie: 68%.
Liquid gravy: 73%.
Cranberry sauce: 79%.
Stuffing: 92% (was 90% last year).
Other items running low
Ocean Spray, one of the world’s foremost companies offering various cranberry products, expects some availability issues at times but doesn’t expect “significant impacts” overall.
Ingredients for making cookies, particularly the flavored chips that go into them, such as chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter, are running low. A spokesperson for Hershey said shelves could run low or out in some areas during the holiday baking season.
Kraft Heinz, the maker of Philadelphia cream cheese, says they are seeing “unprecedented demand” this year. However, they plan to increase shipping of the product by 30%.
