The COVID-19 health crisis is evolving by the day, as is the Canadian news cycle. Since the announcement of the global pandemic, many shoppers have started to stockpile their pantries in a response to food safety fears. While information on the longevity of this international crisis is still unknown, consumers are looking for shelf-stable items that are nutritious and economical. The response: Canadians have already started adding more peanut butter in their shopping carts. In fact, according to Kraft Heinz, there has been a 41 per cent spike in demand for peanut butter since the crisis unfolded.
The U.S. peanut industry continues to deliver safe, nutritious products to the world during this difficult time, including Canada. Manufacturers are working hard to ensure the health and safety of employees while continuing to maintain production and shipment of healthy and nutritious products. We’re not slowing down: shelling, processing and production facilities continue to put protocols in place in order to maintain operations and provide grocery stores and other food outlets with the peanut products consumers need and want.
As retailers, grocers and foodservice providers, it’s important to continuously remind consumers that peanut butter and peanuts are nutritious and economical staples they can reach for with confidence in this time of unease, and hopefully provide some reassurance in this unsettling time.