On a trip to the local grocery store shoppers will find that canned, frozen and processed foods are leaving the shelves faster than usual.
International market analysis company, Research and Markets, reported that the demand for foods with longer shelf lives has increased to a whopping 377% since the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Packaged noodles, cereal and canned soups are some of the top picks for people stockpiling foods amid COVID-19 concerns. These foods are popular because they are convenient and fast to prepare.
“Several large companies like Nestle, Kraft-Heinz, Hormel Foods, Kellogg’s and Mondelēz International are experiencing a surge in demand because consumers are reaching for familiar brands in this time of uncertainty,” states the report.
For a moment, people were frantically buying meat as word was spreading that the meat processing plants would be closing in the near future.
However, Trump signed an executive order early on Tuesday to prevent the shortage of meat. The Defense Production Act labels meat processing plants as essential forms of work that must be kept open not only for consumption, but also to mitigate further detriment to the economy.
At the moment, both Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods have temporarily shut down operations after employees tested positive for the virus. In the meantime, Americans have vouched for box and packaged meals to sustain them.
Companies only care about profits and its not their fault they are only doing what they were created to do. It is our fault as black people and other groups of people of color who chose the fast and easy preparation meals. In our communities we already deal with at litany of issues as it pertains to our health, however we got to make better choices. I understand some of these products are chosen because of income barriers or kids are left home due to parents working late or multiple shifts to make ends meet, but if we can help it we should try our best to cook nutritious meals as much as possible. For instance if you have high blood pressure and you dont work out the last thing you need during this time is to be consuming multiple soups that loaded with thousands of grams of sodium because you might as well punch your ticket to the next life… I know its hard but we got to do the best we can during these times to survive and give our immune system the best chance possible to fight. These companies only care about profit and if we dont pass on the knowledge of eating healthy to the next generation the cycle will continue and they will continue to make money off of us.. Let me get off my soapbox.. Peace and blessing to ALL stay aware and keep pressing forward..