It seems like canning has taken center stage across kitchens all over the United States—a fad that has led to a nation-wide shortage of Mason jars. You read that right. According to CNN, two-part lids are the most in demand "because they are single-use, whereas the glass jars can be used over and over."
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It's not just that folks who've always been canning now have more time to do so, given the fact that people are spending more time at home. The trend has taken on new fans as well, as newbies are indulging in novel hobbies—which has spurred a boom in gardening and sourdough making back in March as well, when closures and stay-at-home orders first took place.
Manufacturers and supply companies have had a hard time keeping up with the surge in demand. Speaking to CNN, Marie Bregg, owner of online retailer Mason Jar Merchant, revealed that she noticed a 600% increase in requests (and sales) starting in the middle of August and the numbers haven't dropped since.
A spokesperson for Newell Brands told CNN in an official statement: "As more consumers prepare their meals at home, [...] the entire canning industry [has] experienced an unprecedented demand. The demand has resulted in supply constraints, extended lead times and recently limited product availability at stores and online."
The Mason jar fiasco is just the latest in a long list of shortages that the country as a whole has been experiencing in response to a global pandemic that has completely upended our way of life. At the beginning of the quarantine period, yeast was nowhere to be found as the country turned into a collection of stay-at-home bakers. In May, Americans were faced with a bike shortage. In July, aluminum cans were in short supply as beer sales increased and, in August, pepperonis went missing. What's going to be next, we wonder? Perhaps... wine?
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