Fall rains may wash pumpkin pie from holiday tables

Holiday bakers may have to find an alternative to traditional pumpkin pie this holiday season, as heavy rains have prolonged a shortage of canned pumpkin.

Libby's Pumpkin issued an apology this week to customers explaining that unusually heavy rains this fall have destroyed the pumpkin crop. The company expects to stop shipping the orange paste by Thanksgiving.

"Our calculations indicate that we may deplete our inventory of canned Libby's pumpkin as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday," said Paul Bakus, vice president of Nestle Baking, parent company of Libby's.

Local retailers, including Target, have posted signs in the baking aisle, warning that the pumpkin supply will be limited this fall.

Libby's Web site explains the pumpkin shortage and gives bakers alternatives to the traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Gingersnap-pumpkin ice cream pie may be an alternative, suggests the site at verybestbaking.com.

Area bakery shop owners suggest trying a sweet potato pie, which is similar in color and a Southern favorite this time of year.

Heidi Schuerstedt, owner of Heidi's Bakery in Libertyville, says this may be the year to switch to an apple or pecan pie, other top seasonal picks. She added that many bakeries have not yet felt the effects of the pumpkin shortage as they order the ingredient months in advance.

Schuerstedt added that if guests are really craving pumpkin, she has seen a pumpkin-flavored seasonal pudding that can be used to create an ice cream pumpkin pie.

Meanwhile, Mother Nature is ultimately to blame for the lack of pumpkin pies this season.

Food giant Nestle, which controls about 85 percent of the pumpkin crop for canning, said heavy rains through the 13-week harvest in Morton, Ill., where most of the crop is grown, has caused frustrated shoppers.

Harvest begins in late August and continues until all the pumpkins are picked. This year, heavy rains saturated the pumpkin fields, making it nearly impossible for tractors to operate.

Nestle is continuing to ship the last of the already canned pumpkin. When it's gone, no more will be available until the 2010 harvest, according to the company.