18 California Holiday Food Staples Disappearing From Grocery Shelves Faster Than Ever This Season

Holiday grocery shopping in California has become more challenging than usual this year. Shelves that once overflowed with seasonal favorites now show empty spaces where popular items should be.

Supply chain issues, increased demand, and production challenges are creating shortages that could affect holiday meal planning for families across the state.

1. Eggs

Avian flu has devastated chicken populations across the state, leading to one of the most severe egg shortages in recent memory. Millions of birds were culled to prevent disease spread, drastically reducing supply.

California’s new free-range hen law added another layer of complexity. Many farms stopped supplying the state due to increased production costs. Prices have skyrocketed, and some stores face completely empty egg sections during peak shopping hours.

2. Whole Turkeys

Demand for whole turkeys has jumped significantly compared to last year as more families plan traditional holiday gatherings. Grocery stores are struggling to keep up with orders despite starting their stocking efforts earlier than usual.

Transportation delays and processing limitations compound the problem. Shoppers who wait until the last minute may find themselves without a centerpiece for their holiday table. Stores recommend placing orders or purchasing turkeys weeks in advance.

3. Specialty Cheeses

Artisan cheese selections are vanishing quickly from deli cases as holiday entertaining picks up. Brie, aged cheddar, and imported varieties sell out faster than stores can restock them.

Local cheese producers face their own challenges with milk supply and aging processes that can’t be rushed. Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and similar stores report unusually low inventory levels. Cheese lovers should grab their favorites early or consider trying new varieties that might still be available.

4. Pie Crusts

Ready-made pie crusts save time for busy bakers, but they’re disappearing fast from refrigerator cases. Pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies all start with this convenience product that’s become surprisingly hard to find.

High demand combined with production bottlenecks creates the perfect storm for shortages. Natural foods stores and conventional supermarkets alike struggle to keep them stocked. Learning to make crust from scratch might become necessary for some holiday bakers this season.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Casseroles and side dishes featuring these orange tubers are holiday table staples. California normally produces abundant sweet potatoes, but this season’s crop faced challenges from drought and heat.

Supply hasn’t matched the seasonal spike in demand. Some stores limit quantities per customer to spread available inventory. Regular potatoes or butternut squash could substitute in recipes, though the distinctive sweetness won’t be quite the same for traditional dishes.

6. Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin pie is practically synonymous with holiday desserts, making canned pumpkin essential for millions of bakers. Processing facilities operate at full capacity, yet demand still outstrips supply in many California stores.

Shoppers who delay their purchase may face empty shelves where orange cans should be. Fresh pumpkin can substitute, though it requires extra preparation time for roasting and pureeing. Some creative bakers are experimenting with sweet potato or butternut squash purees as alternatives.

7. McCormick Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger create the warm flavors of holiday baking. McCormick, a leading spice brand, has struggled with supply chain issues affecting multiple products.

Transportation bottlenecks and packaging material shortages slow production. Spice sections show noticeable gaps where popular holiday varieties should be. Buying smaller specialty brands or shopping at ethnic markets might provide alternatives. Whole spices that can be ground at home offer another solution for determined cooks.

8. Heavy Cream

Whipped cream, creamy soups, and rich sauces all depend on this dairy staple. Holiday demand puts pressure on already strained dairy production systems.

Cream has a shorter shelf life than many products, complicating inventory management for stores. Some shoppers find limits on how many cartons they can purchase. Half-and-half or whole milk won’t provide identical results but might work for some recipes. Shelf-stable whipping cream in cans could serve as backup for dessert toppings.

9. Frozen Dinner Rolls

These convenient bread options bake up quickly for holiday meals, making them popular with hosts short on time. Freezer cases that normally overflow with multiple brands now show surprising gaps.

Production facilities prioritize fresh bread, leaving frozen varieties in shorter supply. Rhodes and similar brands appear sporadically on shelves. Making rolls from scratch takes more time but ensures availability. Refrigerated biscuit dough might substitute in a pinch for those needing a quick bread option.

10. Chicken Broth

Soups, stuffing, and gravy all start with this flavorful base. Avian flu’s impact on poultry populations extends beyond eggs to affect broth production as well.

Both boxed and canned varieties face intermittent shortages at California stores. Some shoppers are turning to bouillon cubes or making their own stock from scratch. Vegetable broth could substitute in many recipes, though it changes the flavor profile slightly. Planning ahead helps ensure this essential ingredient doesn’t derail holiday cooking.

11. Evaporated Milk

Pumpkin pie recipes traditionally call for evaporated milk, creating seasonal demand spikes. Dairy processing challenges affect this shelf-stable product alongside fresh dairy items. Cans that should line baking aisles are scarce in many stores.

Some bakers successfully substitute regular milk or half-and-half, though texture may differ slightly. Sweetened condensed milk won’t work as a replacement due to added sugar. Checking multiple stores or shopping online might help locate this increasingly elusive ingredient.

12. Puff Pastry

This versatile dough transforms into elegant appetizers and desserts, making it a holiday must-have. Sacramento stores report puff pastry selling out repeatedly as home cooks plan their party menus.

Production capacity hasn’t expanded to meet the surge in home baking popularity. Freezer sections that normally stock multiple brands now show gaps. Shoppers might need to visit several stores or substitute with phyllo dough or homemade alternatives for their holiday recipes.

13. Marie Callender’s Pot Pies

Quick comfort food options become more appealing during busy holiday weeks when cooking elaborate meals daily isn’t realistic. Marie Callender’s, a California-based brand, faces production and distribution challenges. Freezer sections show limited availability of these popular pot pies.

Supply chain disruptions affect everything from ingredients to packaging materials. Other frozen meal brands might substitute, or home cooks could prepare extra portions of holiday dishes to freeze for convenient meals later during the hectic season.

14. Pecans

Pecan pie wouldn’t exist without these buttery nuts that also enhance stuffing and side dishes. This year’s pecan harvest faced weather challenges in growing regions outside California. Transportation costs and limited supply drive prices higher while reducing availability.

Baking aisles show sparse selections where bags of pecans should be plentiful. Walnuts provide a similar texture and richness for most recipes, though the flavor differs. Buying pecans early in the season could prevent recipe disappointments later.

15. Fresh Cranberries

These tart red berries have a short growing season, and this year’s harvest faced weather-related challenges. Fresh cranberries typically flood stores in November, but many shoppers find slim pickings.

Transportation delays from growing regions to California markets worsen the situation. Canned cranberry sauce remains available, but home cooks who prefer making their own sauce from scratch may need to search multiple stores. Frozen cranberries could serve as a backup option for recipes.

16. Baking Chocolate

Chocolate desserts are holiday favorites, from brownies to truffles to dipped cookies. Global cocoa supply issues combined with increased home baking create scarcity for baking chocolate. Both chips and bars show gaps on store shelves.

Different brands and varieties may still be available even when preferred options aren’t. Cocoa powder can’t directly substitute in most recipes, but it works for some applications. Shopping at specialty baking stores or online retailers might provide more options than conventional supermarkets.

17. Boxed Stuffing Mix

Stove Top and similar brands offer convenient side dish solutions for holiday meals. Grain supply issues and packaging material shortages affect production of these shelf-stable products. Stores report faster-than-usual depletion of stuffing mix inventory.

Making stuffing from scratch using bread, broth, and seasonings isn’t difficult and allows for customization. Rice-based or wild rice stuffing provides alternative textures. Shoppers who prefer the convenience of boxed mixes should purchase them well before holiday gatherings to avoid disappointment.

18. Butter

Baking season means butter flies off shelves at record speed, but this year supply hasn’t kept pace with demand. Dairy production challenges and the same avian flu affecting eggs have impacted butter availability indirectly through feed costs.

Holiday bakers need butter for cookies, pies, and countless other recipes. Some stores are limiting purchases per customer to ensure more shoppers can access this essential ingredient. Stocking up early could save disappointment later.