The owner of a restaurant, Chris Fuselier, used to open the Blake Street Traven doors daily, and when customers asked for ketchup packets, he had no problem giving them an extra pack or a few.
The Denver restauranter said:
“In hindsight, if you’d have asked me eighteen months ago if I would have concerns about ketchup shortages, I would have said: ‘Are you crazy?'”
Since then, Fuselier has been searching everywhere for ketchup packets for his restaurant and customers. He says that the shortage is gone so bad that when he goes to McDonald’s or Wendy’s, he will collect the extra packets he can to bring to his restaurant.
However, he is one of many who are having problems with the ketchup shortage, especially when it comes to the ketchup packets that one gets in their to-go order.
What has caused this shortage? The shortage started when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dissuaded dining at restaurants and suggested that people choose options like delivery and takeout to be safe during this pandemic.
Suddenly, restaurants from around the coast were packing their customer’s orders, from entrees, side dishes, and cold beverages to mains and desserts for people working at home, and we were picking it up or delivering it.
Customers wanted condiments. That is why traditional restaurants had to get into competition with fast foods, which also had to close their dining places and order double their ketchup packet orders.
That caused the ketchup prices to rise and supply to go down.
The largest producer of ketchup, Heinz, is at the center of this issue and has been taking steps to solve it. A few days ago, Heinz announced: “a 25% increase in production, totaling 12 billion ketchup packets…a year.”
Kraft Heinz’s president, Steven Cornell, said:
“We made strategic manufacturing investments at the start of the pandemic to keep up with the surge in demand for ketchup packets driven by the accelerated delivery and takeout trends; at the same time, we also fast-tracked future-focused culinary and packaging innovations, as well as further manufacturing expansion plans.”
In simpler terms, the ketchup giant does not want anyone to face a shortage when looking for flavor as the pandemic disappears.
There are a lot of urgencies when it comes to ketchup packets in Colorado, where the popular restaurant of Fusilier’s is.
In July, the Major League Baseball All-Star game is coming to the town, and they promise a surprise after such a challenging year.
To keep committed to having the ketchup supply, he is stocking up as much as he can. He laughs that he will order as much as possible for July now, even though it’s a hundred days away.
Why Do Americans Love Ketchup?
Ketchup’s popularity in the United States is no accident; it’s a beloved condiment for several delicious reasons. Let’s explore why Americans have such an affection for this sweet and tangy sauce.
- Sweet and Tangy Temptation: The unique flavor profile of ketchup, combining tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices, strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. It’s a flavor that’s not just appealing but downright addictive.
- Fast Food Frenzy: Ketchup is a staple in American fast food culture. It’s a familiar sight at fast-food joints, making it an accessible and comforting choice.
- Perfect Pairing with Fries: Americans have a particular fondness for french fries, and ketchup is the ideal partner. The classic combo of ketchup and fries is a match made in foodie heaven.
- Always at Arm’s Reach: Ketchup’s easy accessibility in grocery stores, restaurants, and households across the nation makes it a convenient pick for everyday meals.
In a nutshell, ketchup has conquered American hearts and taste buds with its adaptability, enticing flavor, rich history, and undeniable presence in various aspects of American cuisine. It’s more than just a condiment; it’s a culinary classic that brings comfort to every meal.
