Reason behind Cairns frozen chips shortage revealed by Piccones’ IGA manager
Chips lovers who’ve had a hankering for the frozen variety have been left gazing into their empty ovens as a critical shortage of potato products grips the Far North. Here’s why.
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CAIRNS is in the grip of a massive frozen chip shortage with many potato-lovers stalking supermarkets to get their hands on supplies.
Across the region, Coles supermarkets have maintained a two-packet-per-customer limit brought in last month.
Reports have revealed some savvy families have outmanoeuvred the sanction by sending multiple members through the checkout to feed their frozen chip addiction.
A Cairns resident, who asked for anonymity, said he was fortunate to get the last packet of frozen chips at his nearby Coles supermarket recently.
“There were lots of empty shelves, I was lucky to get them,” he said.
On December 15, Coles announced on its website a limit to shopping for Frozen Potato Chips.
“Due to supply issues of Frozen Potato Chips, we have introduced a temporary purchase limit of 2 items per transaction,” the post read.
“This will help to maintain availability for all customers.”
Three weeks later, lovers of convenient frozen potato products are still having trouble locating their favourite chips, fries and wedges.
It’s understood extended wet periods during the growing season in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland had reduced the national potato yield by up to 50 per cent.
But frozen sweet potato products remain available.
Fresh alternatives are also being advocated as being much healthier and far more yummy.
Piccones Group general manager Trent Haddow said while also supermarkets are juggling supplies due to a national shortage, there were still plenty of options for people to make their own delicious oven chips.
“We have sweet potatoes in stock which get direct from farms all year round,” he said.
“Also the Kipflers are loved by our customers at the Piccones Pease St store and they are fantastic when baked in the oven and served with sour cream and we highly recommend them.”
Mareeba-based season produce supplier T2T founder Angela Nason agreed creating your own oven chips was a simple solution.
“Dutch cream and Sebagos are very good spuds,” she said.
“We advise customers not to peel their spuds as there is so much nutritional value and it’s not much more difficult to wash them, cut up them up, drizzle with oil and pop in the oven than opening a packet.
“Plus they taste so much better.”
According to Woolworths, there are no current product limits on frozen chips, although shoppers have reported low stocks.
“We still ask that you please only by what you need,” the supermarket giant posted.
Woolworths also recommended customers switch to fresh products and make their own chips.
Meanwhile, fresh potatoes are still available at many grocers or local markets so have a go at making these declivous chips.
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Originally published as Reason behind Cairns frozen chips shortage revealed by Piccones’ IGA manager
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