Americans Drop Kale and Quinoa to Lock Down With Chips and Oreos

[left-of-center2012]

Americans aren’t holding back on treating themselves, either. Popcorn sales rose nearly 48% in the week ended March 14, compared with a year earlier, while pretzel sales were up 47% and potato chip sales surged 30%, according to Nielsen data.

“People are retreating back into comfort habits,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jennifer Bartashus. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and in those kind of times people tend to retreat to what’s known to them and what’s comforting to them.”

Demand has shifted to the retail space where people are buying potatoes since they are inexpensive, stay fresh for weeks and are a source of comfort in stressful times, said Frank Muir, president and chief executive officer of the Idaho Potato Commission. The demand is so great the commission is encouraging restaurants to shift unused cartons of potatoes to local retailers in need, he said.

The move toward eating at home and choosing less expensive food items may outlast the pandemic, Bartashus said. Many workers will lose their jobs or see reduced hours from the fallout of the virus which will pressure household budgets, she said.

If the government offers additional aid for the unemployed or underemployed, shoppers will use food stamps to purchase items that can help stretch a tight budget, according to Bartashus.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-drop-kale-quinoa-lock-130000446.html

[Alacritous Crier]

1. I know we've done our part! -- nt

[customerserviceguy]

2. The last time I was in a supermarket

which was this last Tuesday, I did notice that the produce department had a lot of bags of kale still available, even though tomatoes were completely gone.

And my lady has been slowly devastating our stash of potato chips...

[aikoaiko]

3. Ores thin mints

Very popular with the wife

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

19. I've gotten addicted to Oreos

But the fudge covered mint ones😊

[bdamomma]

4. what??

are we choosing more unhealthy junk food for a pandemic??? tRump is probably loving this, unhealthy Americans. Just my opinion.

[TDale313]

7. People are stressed- lay off the judgemental nastiness for a bit.

If they’re staying home, social distancing, doing their part not to spread the disease, but a few Oreo cookies or chips are the way they treat themselves or ease some stress... it’s fine.

[The Genealogist]

9. Thank you

We all have certain foods in which we find comfort during hard times or illness. When I was little, I was often given warm, unset Jell-O to drink when I was ill. I am 46 and it STILL comforts me when I am having a hard go at it.

[bdamomma]

16. Sorry

for my insensitivity during this stressful time.

[TDale313]

17. 🙂

I’m sorry too. My post was probably harsher than it could have been.

[TDale313]

5. People want comfort food right now.

And, IMO, that’s fine. Whatever gets you through the next few weeks and months, go for it.

[babydollhead]

6. walmart in PA was picked clean, except the FULL candy aisle Tuesday

[milestogo]

8. Yesterday there was no competition for a red bell pepper, spinach, eggplant, and spaghetti squash.

Comfort food for a vegetarian.

[smirkymonkey]

10. I have to admit that I was all set to load up on some ice cream yesterday, but the

freezer section was completely wiped out. I'll have to comfort myself with bread and pasta instead.

[Brainfodder]

11. I am doing the opposite and lowering my sugar intake?

[tinrobot]

12. Fresh veggies have been cleaned out at most stores here.

Couldn't find kale if I wanted.

The Oreo shelves were full, however.

[bmbmd]

13. I've eaten more cookies in the last week

than in the preceding two or three years.

[tavernier]

14. I had a three day binge last week and woke up miserable,

even having to hunt for Tums in the middle of the night.

The last three days I threw on shorts and tennies and went to the park, breathing in some nice fat free air. I’m beginning to regain control.

But I’ve promised myself an entire cake from Publix bakery (the best in town) as soon as this is over. The whooooole thing.

[Xolodno]

15. Strange...

...went to the store, canned goods cleared out, lots of produce cleared out, meat cleared out....but the chip, soda, cookie and ice cream isle's...fully stocked.

[durablend]

18. I've seen that too

Well, maybe not ice cream but cookies and potato chips still in decent supply. Soda more or less depends on the store--some stocked some running low.

[zackymilly]

20. All the good weed is gone too! n/t

[mucifer]

21. Believe it or not, most chips and oreos are vegan

we get into the junk food, too

[blogslut]

22. I bought 3-ish weeks of wholesome, nutritious food - frozen, canned and dried

As a single on a fixed income I always do that. The only fresh things I buy are onions, apples and oranges because I can store them on the counter.

I am not thrilled but I'm glad I didn't buy snack stuff because I would have eaten all of it by now.

I broke into the leftover stash of Halloween candy last night. Desperate times.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

23. People love to judge other people's food, even in a pandemic.