Dive Brief:
- Green beans may be in short supply this Thanksgiving, according to grower-shippers.
- The expected U.S. crop is now only half the size of the average year. Growers blame unseasonably wet weather in Florida for the shortfall.
- Prices are rising dramatically at wholesale. The USDA says a bushel of green beans is selling for as much as $20.85. The high price two years ago was just $15.85.
Dive Insight:
Green beans may not be as important to the traditional Thanksgiving meal as turkey or sweet potatoes, but a shortage is likely to disappoint many people. The beans are often used in "green bean casserole" - a mix of canned soup, canned and fried onions, and green beans (canned or fresh) that is served at Thanksgiving.