Author: Lauren Mitchell

Consider this: you’re prepping your holiday menu or building your product line for Q4, and suddenly, prices for cranberry everything are up—or shelves are bare. It’s not your imagination: 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the cranberry shortage. Let’s break down what’s driving this squeeze, how it’s affecting businesses and shoppers, and what you can do next. What’s Behind the Cranberry Shortage? Here’s the Real Story The headlines are real: cranberry growers, grocers, and processors across the U.S. and abroad are reporting tighter supply and bigger challenges than in years past. If you rely on cranberries—fresh, dried,…

Imagine reaching for fresh basil at your favorite grocer, only to find empty bins or wilted bunches. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Basil, prized for its bold flavor and linked to age-old remedies, has faced real supply challenges over the past few years. Why does this matter? Basil isn’t just a kitchen staple—it’s become crucial to both food trends and wellness routines. From pestos to teas, and even beauty products, basil’s reach stretches far. So when shortages hit, it’s not just restaurants and markets scrambling; small businesses and households feel it, too. Key Factors Contributing to Shortages Let’s…

Let’s get right to it: if you’re wondering whether buttermilk is hard to find or facing empty shelves in 2025, relax. The short answer? There is *no* buttermilk shortage. Instead, buttermilk is consistently available, both in stores and online, across the U.S. and worldwide. But that simple answer is just the tip of the dairy iceberg. Why care about buttermilk supply? Maybe you manage a restaurant, run a local bakery, or stock essentials for a growing food startup. Either way, knowing the real status of buttermilk helps you plan ahead—no last-minute scrambling necessary. Let’s unpack the facts, risks, and opportunities…

Consider this: You walk into your favorite liquor store, hoping to snag a bottle of Buffalo Trace, only to find the shelf empty. Again. You’re not alone—the Buffalo Trace shortage is now almost legendary, with fans, collectors, and casual bourbon sippers all feeling the pinch. Let’s break down why Buffalo Trace bourbon is so tough to find, what’s really driving the scarcity, and what it means for you as a consumer or small business owner. We’ll focus on facts, supply chain quirks, and what to expect in the bourbon aisle going forward. Demand Exceeds Supply: The Bourbon Boom Bites Back…

Chances are, if you’ve tried to buy Hershey cocoa powder in late 2024 or early 2025, you’ve hit a roadblock. Shelves that were once stocked are now coming up empty, or products are behind the counter with “limit one” signs. The culprit: a perfect storm in the global cocoa supply. Why does this matter? Hershey’s cocoa powder isn’t just for brownies and hot fudge sauce. It’s a baking staple, a comfort food essential, and yes, a margin-builder for bakeries and food manufacturers nationwide. When the cocoa supply chain creaks, everyone from home bakers to small business owners feels the impact.…

Let’s face it—Lipton Instant Tea was a staple. For decades, you could scoop a little brown powder, swirl it in cold water, and have an instant iced tea in seconds. Now, by mid-2025, both the classic and unsweetened Lipton Iced Tea mixes have vanished from the shelves of Walmart, Amazon, and even Lipton’s official website. Why does this matter? If you were one of the loyal fans who depended on a fast, reliable way to make iced tea, the shortage hit hard. For restaurants and cafes, instant tea offered consistency, minimal prep, and huge speed advantages. Overnight, those routines were…

Consider this: you walk into your usual grocer expecting to grab fresh broccoli, but the shelves look sad—either completely empty or displaying just a handful of wilted bunches with eye-watering price tags. If you’re running a café, meal kit startup, or just buying for your family, this is more than an inconvenience. The 2025 global broccoli shortage isn’t just a blip. It’s a signal—and a stress test—for how we manage food, business planning, and adaptation. So why is this green veggie suddenly so scarce, and what can you do about it? Why Broccoli Matters: A Quick Refresher Before getting into…

Why can’t you find that Lego set your kid—or your inner child—has been craving? You’re not alone. Shelves are thinner, pre-orders sell out fast, and even big-box stores run dry on the most-wanted Lego sets. Consider this: the current Lego shortage isn’t a fluke. It’s the result of the perfect storm—sky-high demand collides with manufacturing limits and global supply snags. Many hoped these shortages would ease as pandemic disruptions faded. In reality, Lego demand kept climbing, while new headaches emerged in production and logistics. Let’s break down why those iconic bricks are harder to find. Increase in Consumer Demand Start…

Did you notice fewer strawberries at your market this spring—or perhaps that pint cost double what it did last year? You’re not alone. A global strawberry shortage is rippling through farm fields, supermarkets, and small businesses. Multiple factors are squeezing supply: weird weather, shrinking farmland, cyclical harvest gaps, and a stubborn fungus or two. For produce buyers, café owners, and anyone who relies on fruit sales, this isn’t just a seasonal blip. Understanding what’s happening with strawberries helps you plan ahead and avoid those “out of stock” moments—or at least warn your customers before disappointment hits. Today, you’ll see where…

Consider this: you walk into your regular neighborhood bar in Dallas expecting your Lone Star Beer, and the bartender just shrugs and says, “Sorry, we’re out.” It’s not a one-off. All across Texas and into Oklahoma, both loyal fans and casual drinkers stared at empty shelf space where Lone Star Beer usually stood, wondering what happened. By early 2025, a significant beer shortage was unmistakable. But before you brew up conspiracy theories, let’s dig into what really caused the drought and, more importantly, why you should keep your cool if you’re running a bar, a restaurant, or even just planning…