Toowoomba supermakets and takeaway hit by supply shortages

Toowoomba shoppers once again faced empty shelves over the weekend, with supermarket officials confirming the cause and when customers can expect to buy much-needed products again.

Supermarkets and a number of takeaway stores were limited in what they could offer customers at the weekend after severe downpours hindered deliveries.

Crackerjack Chicken managing director Penny Dowling said her stores had faced a shortage of whole rotisserie chickens after the recent torrential rain limited supply.

“I anticipated the supply shortage on Wednesday, and after everything we went through in February of this year … I thought its better to not supply something if you can’t get it of high enough quality,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have any whole chicken from Friday lunch time and through the weekend.

“We lost a lot of money, and a lot of sales.”

Mrs Dowling said although her business was unable to serve whole chickens, they were able to offer customers chicken fillets.

“It’s all about resilience really. I put up a sign saying that due to the flooding we didn’t have any chickens,” she said.

“Not everyone was understanding of that, but most people were, and we have trained our team on how to deal with that.”

Mrs Dowling said it was great relief to receive a delivery of chickens on Monday morning,

She also reminded residents that there was no need to panic when bad weather impacted roads.

These photos are a good reminder of how important it is not to drive on a flooded road until we have declared the road safe again.

There are 7 crossings at Mount Sylvia Road in the Darling Downs currently impacted by last week's flood event. pic.twitter.com/0ElvNWn1xs

— Transport and Main Roads Queensland (@TMRQld) May 16, 2022

Shoppers were also unable to secure a number of grocery items across Toowoomba, with a Woolworths spokesman confirming flooded roads had resulted in delivery delays, however key essentials were available.

“Due to a recent technical issue at our Heathwood Distribution Centre, some deliveries to our stores in Queensland were delayed last week,” the spokesman said.

“Our teams are working hard to ensure stock is delivered as quickly as possible, and it’s expected that customers should see further deliveries arrive over the next 48 hours.”

Meanwhile a Coles spokeswoman said purchase limits would not be placed on customers.

“Last week in anticipation of weather conditions worsening in Queensland, Coles proactively increased orders of priority products including flour and yeast for our bakeries, fresh produce, meat and pantry staples, like water and toilet paper,” she said.

Shoppers can expect to see shelves return to normal in coming days.