Monday, September 13, 2010

a call to arms for One Pie pumpkin!


Update: Today, the 3 of November, I found both One Pie Pumpkin and Squash at Shaw's supermarket! I left some for you, I promise.

You know how much I looove pumpkin everything, right? Pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cake, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, yup, bring it on. So I've been somewhat anxious lately when I could not find a single can of my preferred brand, One Pie Pumpkin puree.
The last three days I've spent searching an hour to the west, and the south, where all the big supermarkets are, the local supermarket, and the local Mom and Pop stores, hoping a few dusty cans might be found on their shelves. Nothing.
I finally Googled it today and found it's a nationwide shortage. ( see here) That was just after I'd met with the manager of Shaw's supermarket, and found that One Pie had been delegated to a seasonal product: ie: Halloween, Thanksgiving. So we're dealing with two bad years, weatherwise, for pumpkins in Maine ( where One Pie comes from), and also a marketing decision by large supermarkets to supply One Pie only in that short window of time in the Fall. I'm hoping that all you cooks and bakers out there will talk with their supermarket managers and insist that One Pie ( and other pumpkin puree companies) be available year round. Can I count on you? Rah! Bring back my beloved One Pie! Merci a bunch!

27 comments:

  1. I was looking for One Pie pumpkin too and they (Hannaford's) didn't have any. I was going to make pumpkin cookies. Wonder how long it will keep? If I find any I'm going to buy several cans.

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  2. One Pie pumpkin must be a regional brand because I don't think I have ever seen that particular brand here in southeast MI. Isn't it frustrating to have a favorite kind of something and it becomes seasonal or worse, disappears?

    Is it possible to order it online and hoard a can or two? Good luck!

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  3. Becky - I feel pretty secure with canned goods lasting at least a year, so I asked the Shaw's manager to reserve two cases for me when it finally comes in.

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  4. Hi Barb! What brands of pumpkin do you have out there? If all else fails, I may be asking you to pick some canned pumpkin up for me! I have cooked down fresh pumpkin, but found it still had too much moisture in it to work well with my pumpkin baked goods.

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  5. Hi Katrina, I am so sorry that the brand you are looking for is not available. I purchased 24 cans of organic pumpkin in a can yesterday. It is distributed by "Farmer's Market Foods, Inc.". This is the only brand of canned pumpkin available in town at only one supermarket. I was told that there is a shortage of any canned pumpkin this year. I didn't want to run out. Maybe you will be able to find my brand. Best luck. Kirsten

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  6. Interesting, Kirsten - and thanks for the Colorado pumpkin report. I have seen some organic pumpkin available here (2 cans), but they were smaller and also $3.50 each! Odd how this shortage seems to be country-wide - I know we all haven't had the same weather. Hmmmm.

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  7. Hi Katrina~I looked around a couple of markets today and - no canned pumpkin (:. I didn't get a chance to ask anyone in the store, but I guess I will check again in a bit. It's kind of odd to have a 'pumpkin shortage' isn't it? Maybe the pumpkins went on strike (ha!ha!) I did have one can in my pantry, so now I'm making pumpkin, chocolate chip cookies!

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  8. Oh, Barb - lucky you! I have no stockpile of pumpkin, so I'm sunk - and sad. As I said, here in New England we're dealing with a weather condition AND possibly a marketing decision, which is leaving me up a creek without a paddle. My only possible choice is to buy some pumpkins from the farmer in the next town, and make my own puree. NOT the best solution, as it's difficult to remove the moisture from home-canned pumpkin. Alas, alas. In the meantime, I'm craving those pumpkin-ginger muffins!

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  9. I've never heard of this brand. I usually by Libbys. I had a hard time finding it at HyVee and ended up bying the store brand. I'm planning on making pumpkin oatmeal cookies w/ butterscotch chips.

    Great blog & good luck finding the cans! Tina "The book Lady"

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  10. HyVee may be able to send you some cans. They were 88 cents each and I doubt they were organic but it is pumpkin. They didn't have much but maybe some can be sent to you.

    HyVee 402-697-0811 or
    jmueller(at)hy-vee.com

    I've made/used pumpkin from an actual pumpkin once - never again! Too much work.

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  11. Thank you for your very, very kind information and offer, Tina - but I'm happy to say our local supermarket (Shaw's) received a shipment from Libby's last week - and called me the minute it came in. I got 8 cans, and am still holding out hope One Pie will be in the stores soon. Only another baker would understand what it's like to be unable to find a major ingredient like pumpkin! Thanks, again, Tina.

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  12. The search is also on in Connecticut for One Pie Pumpkin. It is the only one that fits the bill for our families Pumpkin Pie on the holidays. The receipe we use was passed down from my mother 45 years ago which she got off the One Pie can. My local store says that he has been requesting "One Pie" on his orders for some time and its not available. What will come of our holiday tradition without our "One Pie Pumpkin" pie??

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  13. Mary, I feel the same way. Using Libby's just isn't the same. Sure wish One Pie had an email address, though maybe I should try calling them - I googled the company in Maine, and the number was there. However, yesterday I was at a Hannaford's supermarket and asked about One Pie - turns out they had just had a company meeting about the shortage and One Pie. It's just not looking good, sorry to say.

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  14. I found some. Am I allowed to post a link?

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  15. R.P - Sure, as long as I approve it! (i.e. not for personal gain, or self-advertising) - thanks! If you have any updates from One Pie, we'd all love to hear.

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  16. One Pie can only be found in the New England states.. I have contacted the company in past years and they will not ship to me now that I live out of the area.. I have family and friend searching for me in CT aNd so far no luck.. I have a list people that request my pies for Thanksgiving.. I really don't want to use Libby and One Pie is the only one I know that also cans squash.. :(

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  17. I found some at Shaw's today, while on my lunch break.
    I have yet to find the Squash though, which I love.

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  18. Interesting, RP and Anon - the Shaw's in Peterborough, NH had One Pie Squash but no pumpkin! I guess all we can do is keep looking.

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  19. I only use One Pie pumpkin for my grandma's pumpkin bread recipe. I tried Libby's when i couldn't find One Pie and it wasn't the same. I finally found some One Pie pumpkin and squash at Stop 'n Shop on the North Shore of Massachusetts yesterday! They also had plenty of Libby's pumpkin.

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  20. Hi LP! Excuse the late response but my computer was down - I also found One Pie about the same time at Shaw's in Peterborough , NH, and I was overjoyed. Stocked up to get me through the winter -

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  21. Found One Pie pumpkin filling at the Stop and Shop in Unionville, CT for all of those CT fans. Sadly, no squash pie filling. Having my dad trek a few cans down from MA.

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  22. I found a few One-Pie cans a month ago here in NH, but forced to fill in with Libby's and Shaw's brand.

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  23. They sell it at Market Basket as well

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  24. Thanks, Moonlight! I find this year isn't half as bed as 2010 was, when you couldn't find more than a few overpriced cans in ANY market!

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  25. Does anyone have the original recipe fro pumpkin pie from one pie? The current recipe comes out more creamy and I prefer the one I grew up with in the 50's which had a more grainy texture.

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  26. Carol - if you Google it it comes up - I know because I found it there last year.

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  27. Carol: Found the recipe:
    1 can One Pie pumpkin
    1T. cornstarch
    1/2 t. cinnamon
    1/2 t. ginger
    1/2 t. nutmeg
    1/2 t. salt
    1 1/2 T. melted butter
    1 1/2 c. milk or 1 twelve ounce can evap. milk
    1 c. sugar
    1/8 c. molasses
    2 beaten eggs
    Preheat oven to 450F
    Sift sugar, cornstarch, salt, spices together. Mix with pumpkin. Add eggs, melted butter, molasses and milk. Add a dash of lemon juice if desired. Line a 9 inch pie pan, pour in contents.
    Bake at 450F for 15 mins, reduce temperature to 350F and continue to bake for 50 minutes.

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