Open in App
Matt Lillywhite

Experts Warn Food Shortages Are Coming To Texas

2021-10-09

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=24jFH1_0cH7gKkA00
Photo via Pexels

If you've recently been to the grocery store in Texas, you probably noticed a few empty shelves. Many people are unable to buy everything on their shopping list due to items being in short supply. And, unfortunately, experts predict that food and labor shortages across the entire country will get much worse over the coming months.

That's not hyperbole. Several restaurants in Texas are already hiring robots to deal with the staff shortage. And according to Joe Monastero, Chief Operations Officer of the Texas Restaurant Association, "100,00-125,000 workers are being sidelined. What that means is positions are available, but people that had them we aren’t exactly sure if they chose to go into a different industry chosen to go back to school or expand their education.”

Texas isn't the only state struggling with shortages. Supply chains around the country are collapsing due to labor shortages and delays in logistical operations. According to The Guardian, "A record-breaking flotilla of container ships is waiting to unload goods. With the holiday season approaching, companies across the U.S. predicting shortages and price rises for everything from artificial Christmas trees and sports goods to Thanksgiving turkeys. Retailers warn that basics including toilet paper could once again be in short supply."

Sure, container ships are responsible for getting food (and other goods) from other countries to the United States. But what about products that are already in the U.S.? Sadly, worker shortages are still an issue. Quoting an article published by CNBC:

"The container ships off the coast of California don't have the longshoreman to unload them. A shortage of truck drivers — a problem that existed pre-pandemic, but one that has only worsened since — means goods can't get from the ports to warehouses to then find their way to retailers and consumers."

There's also a national shortage of aluminum. And while you might not initially care about a metal shortage, it has an enormous impact on many items in the grocery store. After all, soups, sodas, and many other products are packaged and sold in aluminum cans. Therefore, experts have warned that some grocery stores in Texas (and other states) could have empty shelves for a very long time. For example, Bryan Bourke, chief growth officer at SEKO Logistics, said, "It's going to get worse again before it gets better. Global supply chains are not built for this. Everything is breaking down."

America isn't the only country facing a major supply chain crisis. The United Kingdom is bracing for a permanent food shortage, according to reports published by the BBC. "The U.K. shopper and consumer could have previously expected just about any product they want to be on the supermarket shelf or in the restaurant all the time," said the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) boss Ian Wright. "That's over. And I don't think it's coming back."

What do you think? Leave a comment with your thoughts. And if you think more people should read this article, share it on social media.

Expand All
Comments / 0
Add a Comment
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Most Popular newsMost Popular

Comments / 0