Another year with a pumpkin shortage ...one of the only reasons I look forward to fall. Ironically this is the 2nd shortage in the last five years I believe.

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~T. Martin

What do you think is the cause of the shortage? The weather? Or do farmers not grow this crop as much anymore?
birdy

Well, they say it's the weather and the other time there was a shortage we had a late summer/ early fall that was quite stormy. That said your suggestion that farmers are not going pumpkins as much could play a role as late summer/early fall is a time when storms are possible so one would think a percentage of the crop being wiped out would be planned for particularly since Halloween and Thanksgiving, the two holidays people associated with pumpkins, have become so big in the U.S.

I always look forward to stocking up on cans of Libby's canned Pumpkin when they go on sale. Maybe I'll contact them and ask as I think their customer service should know something about pumpkin growing, etc., and the last time they actually put out an email to those whom were on their email list.

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~T. Martin

And I've been marking pumpkin-themed desserts.

I just bought 2 cans of pumpkin and think I'll pick up a few more just in case. We've already had our first pumpkin pie of the season.

Despite all the articles, it seemed this just turned out to be The Great Pumpkin Shortage Scare of 2011. I'd rather we have too much pumpkin than too little, so I'm not complaining!

I bought some canned pumpkin, but also went through the trouble of making my own puree. I'd never done that before...it was an interesting process, but I don't know if I'd do it again.