topic Re: Is Something Going On in Community Chat

Is Something Going On

Jordan2 — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:16:55 GMT

I went to the grocery store today, now I usually don't go on Mondays so this could be a weekend thing, but the shelves were bare. Frozen food, dairy, and produce especially ( I didn't look at the meat section). Also I have looked for Thomas Bagel Thins for three weeks at Foodtown, Stop & Shop, King Kullen, and Target no one has it, I have asked about it in three of the stores with no answer. Are we going backwards again where we won't find goods we need due to manufacturing or distribution problems ( or hoarding)?

Re: Is Something Going On

On It — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:28:16 GMT

I think a lot of what we are seeing is pent up demand. We were confined to our homes so long, and in my case we ate what we could get online or delivered. Going to the market and buying what we want is still a treat, especially fresh and frozen items.

Suppliers are having to meet the sudden surge in demand and can't ramp up production quickly enough to avoid shortages. The grocery store here is always crowded. We try to go before 8:00 am Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. That gives them time to restock after the weekend, and gives us a chance to get in and out before payday and the coming weekend.

Re: Is Something Going On

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:31:11 GMT

There is also a shortage of truck drivers to deliver the goods.

Re: Is Something Going On

Nightowlz — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:31:32 GMT

I generally order online to pickup. My last order from Wal-mart online was out of stock of more items.

We keep our pantry & freezer full.

I read it's due to shortage of workers since they want to collect unemployment instead of going back to work, less truck driver's etc. They also are not bringing back a lot of items we could buy before. Stores will have to rearrange their shelves again.

Re: Is Something Going On

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:32:39 GMT

Thankfully, that wasn't the case when I stopped by the store this morning. It's not a long term trend I've seen, either. At least in my area.

Re: Is Something Going On

4kitties — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:34:12 GMT

Yes.

There is an employee shortage. Stores are desperate for employees. One grocery store I frequent has had to close down their deli. No one to work it.

One of our Walmarts never has milk in the case where customers can reach it. But many cases of milk in the back. No employee to put them in the case in reach of customers. It is very sad...........

Re: Is Something Going On

Cakers3 — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:35:36 GMT

@Jordan2 It isn't just you.

We stopped in a local grocery chain and some shelves were empty along with much of the frozen food-specifically frozen dinners and frozen pizza.

Ice cream was abundant but frozen veggies were so-so.

Bread was abundant but some house supplies such as paper towels had dwindled down.

I posted an article from WSJ someplace around here a few day ago describing how grocers are stockpiling groceries.

Trader Joe's seems ok for now but Whole Foods is hit or miss lately although right now produce seems abundant.

Re: Is Something Going On

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:36:38 GMT

My thought is that companies cant get enough help, there is not enough truck drivers, grocery stores cant get help to stock shelves fast enough.

Re: Is Something Going On

proudlyfromNJ — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:37:07 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
Yes.

There is an employee shortage. Stores are desperate for employees. One grocery store I frequent has had to close down their deli. No one to work it.

One of our Walmarts never has milk in the case where customers can reach it. But many cases of milk in the back. No employee to put them in the case in reach of customers. It is very sad...........

@4kitties It is very sad. Are the stores advertising for employees? I haven't seen this at the stores around here thank goodness.

Re: Is Something Going On

Porcelain — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:41:34 GMT

Are you guys are saying that truck drivers are staying home and refusing to work? Why? I thought they were driving, fairly heroically, all through the pandemic and did not lose their jobs. I would think truck drivers would all still be on the job. What happened to reduce the number of truck drivers?

Re: Is Something Going On

On It — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:45:09 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
I generally order online to pickup. My last order from Wal-mart online was out of stock of more items.
We keep our pantry & freezer full.
I read it's due to shortage of workers since they want to collect unemployment instead of going back to work, less truck driver's etc. They also are not bringing back a lot of items we could buy before. Stores will have to rearrange their shelves again.

The food supply is controlled by 10 or 11 corporations. They are eliminating the competition and can force us to buy what they choose to produce. My fear is that they will manipulate prices with little recourse. The meat industry is controlled by 4 major suppliers. I do not know how to post the chart, but @Mindy D put it on the forum not so long ago. Taking the time to google this is eye opening. How we get out of a few corporations having world dominance in food supply stumps me.

Re: Is Something Going On

kitcat51 — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:49:36 GMT

There's a shortage of truck drivers & other workers so have 2-3 weeks worth of goods in your pantry. I don't mean hoarding, just basic shelf stable food & other needed items so you're not stressing about it then panic buying.

Re: Is Something Going On

RedTop — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:54:11 GMT

@Jordan2

Based on where I am in WV, the answer to your post is that we just ended one of the busiest weeks in the month. I try to shop at the very end or close to the middle of the month to avoid the first of the month raid.

It's the height of summer; my local grocery store shows that in terms of availability of quick fix foods, snacks, and treats. Between kids out of school for the summer, and locals heading to the lake or river, there are many food items that are always a quick sell out.

Re: Is Something Going On

Sooner — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:55:11 GMT

People are not going to work when they get paid to stay home. How hard is that to understand?

Re: Is Something Going On

hopi — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 19:03:14 GMT

Maybe things going back to normal .... 4th of July parties, parades, NBA playsoffs, International soccer, olympics, summer, etc. things people gather up to throw big gatherings. Stores here are packed and shopping more than ever.

Airlines cancelled flights before the holiday they knew their staff would be overwhelmed with more people flying than prepandemic.

Re: Is Something Going On

bikerbabe — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:56:49 GMT

Everything is well stocked here at the moment.
Inland SoCal.

There’s been a trucker shortage for years and it is getting worse with time.

Re: Is Something Going On

4kitties — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:57:16 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ

Yes, they are advertising heavily for employees. I am in Illinois.

Re: Is Something Going On

Cakers3 — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:28:59 GMT

Here is the WSJ article from 6 days ago detailing how grocers are stockpiling inventory in the face of rising costs and inflation.

No sidebars so it should be ok.

Re: Is Something Going On

On It — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 19:09:35 GMT

In some states workers in grocery stores and other service industries are paid a good wage. In my state, they are not. These workers have to have more than one job to survive. No wonder they won't return to a minimum wage job or low wage job until they are out of options. I wouldn't either.

Corporations are all about the bottom line. They will not pay fair wages until they are forced to do so. Because of the worker shortage some in our area have increased their pay. Hopefully, others will follow.

Re: Is Something Going On

Gorgf — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 19:14:14 GMT

Our population triples in the summer with part time residents at their cabins and lake homes so it is not unusual to see empty shelves. However, our Supermarket is closing the Deli early and a gas station closing at nine p.m. They both have tables with applications for help. Wal-Mart is hit or miss and trying to keep up. I saw one man who is a senior who is normally a cashier on the Express Line, sweeping the floor. Those poor folks get moved all over.