21 April, 2021

Got Ketchup?

I first heard about a potential ketchup shortage from a friend a few weeks ago. She read an article explaining that the recent pandemic which has driven restaurant dining to take-out and drive-thru almost exclusively for the past year, has seen abundant waste of ketchup packets, tossed liberally into the bags along with the food. Case in point: this photo contains nine ketchup packets; the actual number excavated from the bottom of the bag after a recent stop at a fast food establishment for our dinner, sandwiches for just two people with only one order of fries! It's no wonder that a shortage of packets is imminent if this is the case everywhere. And, of course, as soon as any "shortage" is mentioned out come the hoarders and opportunists. I did hear a report of someone selling these packets on ebay for a huge mark-up! The line in the above-linked article that cracked me up is when ketchup is referred to as the "cornerstone of the American diet".  If that's true I think that it's a pretty sad commentary on American dining. I have been grocery shopping and, apparently, the ketchup scarcity isn't for bottles on the shelf, but instead for these individual packets, although I did see lots of ketchup in grocery carts checking out. I'm not too worried about this so-called shortage catching me unaware and bereft of a needed commodity, I don't use ketchup anyway. But, just in case, I suppose that I'll hold onto these, after all, they're as good as money in the bank. 😉

Life is Good!

4 comments:

Needled Mom said...

I heard about it too. Crazy times!

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

In Australia, we have to pay for these extra packets of sauces, so when we visited the US a couple of years ago, the kids were so excited that we could help ourselves to them, for free! Oh how I miss travelling. Hope the ketchup shortage isn't too bad.

AnnieO said...

Thanks for the warning, lol! I haven’t heard of any pending shortage on the West Coast, but we only get a burger and fries about once a month!

julieQ said...

Oh my goodness! Good thing I save those and use them anyway...who knew I was a rich lady? Hahahaha!!