French fry shortage hits some restaurants in latest supply snag
BNN Bloomberg
French fries, arguably the most essential menu item for a burger restaurant outside of beef, are at risk of becoming the latest victim of a strained food supply chain.
The message posted to Instagram late Tuesday by J.G. Melon, a revered New York City burger joint, surely came as a shock to its many fans.
“The rumors are true,” the almost 50-year-old restaurant said in a solemn statement addressed to the J.G. Melon Community. “Due to a supply-chain issue, we are temporarily not serving our legendary cottage fries.”
French fries, arguably the most essential menu item for a burger restaurant outside of beef, are at risk of becoming the latest victim of a strained food supply chain that has already led to shortages of cream cheese to chicken tenders to to-go packaging. J.G. Melon owner Jaine O’Neill told Bloomberg the restaurant was surprised when its long-time potato supplier, Lamb Weston, discontinued the signature product.
“I asked them if they could do a private label for us. We order a lot -- 70 cases a week, and there are 180 pounds of potatoes in a case -- but they replied that we would need to order a million pounds of potatoes per year,” she said. That would mean about 50 per cent more potatoes.
Within hours of posting on Instagram, offers were pouring in from followers hoping to help find alternative sources. “In the meantime we’re trying different types of fries,” she said.
Lamb Weston didn’t respond to requests for comment.
