Pandemic Plunders Supply

Honest Slate

How the Pandemic Affects Our Food Supply

by Elisa Grimm

Potato chips. Soups. Canned chicken and tuna. Cornflakes. Peanuts.

What do these all have in common? No, they’re not ingredients for a 1950s-inspired casserole. Rather, they’re items that HWFC shoppers have asked about via the Suggestion Box since the pandemic started one year ago.

Q.

A.

Where are they? Held up in a supply chain disrupted by the pandemic.

Links in the Chain

To understand their absence, it helps to know how the supply chain works. Food supply and distribution is a complex process. For simplicity, this article will discuss four basic steps:

• Farmers plant, grow, and harvest crops. • Manufacturers process and prepare crops. • Distributors transport food to retailers. • Retailers sell food to consumers.

Variations occur regularly. Weather can delay planting and harvesting of crops. A reduced labor force can make it harder to process the crops quickly. Fluctuations in oil and gas markets can add to the cost of shipping. Consumer demand sometimes shifts unexpectedly, resulting in delays or shortages.

How has the coronavirus pandemic affected this normal chain of events? Oh, let us count the ways!

To start, novel coronavirus–related staff reductions have impacted every link in the supply chain. Symptomatic and sick workers aren’t available to plant, harvest, produce, ship, or sell food. The chain moves, but more slowly.

Next, while delayed planting is not uncommon, some farmers postponed planting for an unusual reason last year. The California Farm Bureau Federation reported in May 2020 that one-third of farmers hadn’t been able to plant yet due to lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for their workers. This can lead to delayed and possibly reduced harvests potentially affecting availability and food prices.

Employees well enough to work need to have protective equipment and to work farther apart, which slows production. To offset this loss of time and productivity, companies have simplified the sizes and varieties they’re offering. Canned tomatoes, for example, may still be packaged in 14-ounce but not 28-ounce cans.

Processors and manufacturers are finding that, even if they have enough product, they may lack adequate containers for packaging. Canning jar sales saw a 600% increase in August 2020 as more home cooks tried canning. This left fewer glass jars available for food producers.

Lastly, shoppers have caused the market to shift. With Americans of all ages spending more time at home, we’re also cooking more at home. We’re buying more groceries, leaving fewer items on the shelves.

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How has the Co-op responded?

Stephen Quickenton, Operations Manager, reported that Co-op staff and shoppers have been creative and flexible. Staff are searching for substitute products that still meet our buying guidelines. Shoppers have been more willing to purchase different sizes and brands.

To illustrate, Stephen cited the Meat Department’s experience early in the pandemic. Last spring, Freebird Chicken was not selling retail-sized containers, only bulk packages; so the Co-op bought the chicken in bulk and the department packaged it on site in retail-sized containers. David Aube, Grocery Buyer, tracks product availability and informs staff. Reasons for changes are broad. Global restrictions have slowed shipping of international ingredients and goods, such as spices and teas. Food distributors have placed buying limits on grocery store orders, just as grocery stores have placed buying limits on shoppers. Long-term buying contracts also have been affected. National Co+op Grocers (NCG), to which Honest Weight Food Co-op belongs, regularly negotiates buying contracts with producers. Many contracts happened to expire during the pandemic; the worldwide crisis has slowed renegotiations and thus product supply. David said he has “separate deals through brokers and sales reps,” so the Co-op has multiple sources and need not rely solely on NCG.

If what you’re looking for isn’t there, you may find acceptable alternatives. Ask Staff for recommendations!

Processing Peanuts

Justin Hardecker, Bulk Manager, commented on the peanut supply. Most peanuts sold in HWFC’s Bulk Department are purchased from UNFI, a national natural foods distributor. Through UNFI, the Co-op orders peanuts from a North Carolina peanut processor. Justin reflected that Bulk is “always looking for options available through local distributors. This helps broaden our network so we have more options.”

He added, however, that “peanuts are a fairly cheap commodity, with relatively low profit margins, so there is little incentive for other distributors to carry them.” While we don’t know exactly what caused the peanut delay, Justin observed that they were very fresh when they finally arrived.

If what you’re looking for isn’t there, please know that our Co-op staff have been working diligently to supply what is available and you’ll likely find an acceptable item nearby. You are always welcome to ask about what’s available and possible substitutes. You might even find a new favorite!