Did you know?

that we had a pumpkin shortage?? Do you know that we may be facing another pumpkin shortage? I listened with small scale panic when the news announced earlier this week that due to the flooding from Hurricane Irene the North East farmers are expecting a pitiful crop. Prices are expected to quadruple. Anyone who knows me knows how I responded. I headed to Aldi's and the commissary the very next day. Hmmm, no pumpkin. I jokingly complained while I was checking out of the commissary and the bagger laughed. He said, "Didn't you hear the news? They were telling everyone last year at the holidays if they wanted to have pumpkin for pies this year they better buy them and keep 'em on the shelf." I began to wonder - how did they know last year that we were going to have a hurricane this year that would ruin the crop?? He made a comment that turns out to be incorrect - that much of the crops were destroyed in the Japan Tsunami, not. But it sent me on a hunt to find the information and as it turns out there was a serious shortage last fall due to the heavy rainfall and disease. It appears they were able to stock shelves in time for the holidays despite their concern. And although they didn't know it then we will have a shortage again this year because of the floods in the North East and the droughts in the South. I did learn that farmers were encouraged to grow crops of salt-water resistant plants such as pumpkin after the tsunami and flooding.

So, if you need pumpkin for the holidays - or like me for the winter muffins, bread and other delectible treats - you might want to head to the store and stock up - if it's not too late.