Cheesepocalypse nears as Kraft runs low on Velveeta
Planning a big batch of nachos for this weekend’s football playoff games? You might need to broaden your cheese horizons, as a Velveeta shortage is spreading across the country.
Some may blame the polar vortex or the threat of rising milk prices, but Velveeta maker Kraft Foods (KRFT) says it’s simply having troubling keep up with demand for the gooey, yellow cheese product.
"Given the incredible popularity of Velveeta this time of year, it is possible consumers may not be able to find their favorite product on store shelves over the next couple of weeks," Kraft spokeswoman Jody Moore told AdAge. "Our retail customers are aware of the situation and we expect it to be a short-term issue."
On Twitter, some are calling the Velveeta shortage a cheesepocalypse:
cheesepocalypse: apparently there is a Veveeta shortage... http://t.co/hW1RMAjIqm
— matt lewis (@brooklynbaker) January 7, 2014
CHEESEPOCALYPSE........ If this is true. I'm going to die. #velveeta #notcool #cantbetrue
— Stephanie Sanchez (@Lolaaaa95) January 7, 2014
IS THIS THE #CHEESEPOCALYPSE? @Kraft Facing A #Velveeta Cheese Shortage http://t.co/VrjMNVaN31
— Nadine DeNinno (@nadinedeninno) January 7, 2014
The Velveeta supply problems bring to mind other recent shortages that came at inopportune times, like the lack of Butterball turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and the Great Twinkie Scare of 2012, when Hostess Brands went out of business.
For now, football fans hosting parties for games this Saturday and Sunday may have to find alternate chip-topping melts. A little grated Fontina is always nice.
