Things to Do
Things to Do

The great pumpkin shortage

By Marcy Williams
Sept 19, 2011

Blame Hurricane Irene for the Great Pumpkin Shortage of 2011.

The northeast may be pressed for Jack-O-Lanterns this Halloween.  Farmers' pumpkin patches were wiped out by Irene.  Wholesale prices have doubled in upstate New York; some farmers are trying to import pumpkins from other parts of the U.S. to make up for the shortfall.

Pumpkins typically have to be ready to ship by mid-September, because demand plummets after Halloween.

About the Author

Marcy Williams
More Stories

The Latest

Although Campbell's began turning out canned condensed soups in the late 1800s, the cream of broccoli version didn't debut until 1990. (Courtesy photo)

Credit: Handout

Where can I find it?

Why you should never wash your turkey

Where can I find it?

Featured

Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller

Metro Atlanta retailers hopeful for strong holiday season after chaotic year

Some independent retailers in metro Atlanta are entering this holiday season feeling battered by what they call a chaotic year.

$21B data center proposal aims to become one of Georgia’s largest

Trammell Crow Co. is planning a $21 billion technology campus for a 1,632-acre site along I-75 roughly 60 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

This metro Atlanta couple spearheaded a change in football helmets

Erin and Lee Hanson are the founders behind Guardian Sports, the company that makes the Guardian Caps worn by college football and NFL players.