News outlets across the country are raising panic with tales that the Super Bowl staple is facing a shortage, facing high prices, and facing just about any other problem they can pack into a frightening article.
NewsWest9.com says in the first paragraph that supply could "threaten to limit snack choices" in Texas, but in the next paragraph states:
So far, it appears as if West Texans will be able to fill up on hot wings for the Super Bowl.
And they later add:
NewsWest 9 also spoke with an executive at Wingstop who said the company had a deal already in place with Pilgrim's Pride before a lot of these cutbacks, so they don't anticipate any changes for the Super Bowl. Other local restaurants have reported moderate increases, but nothing as bad as the spike in prices in New York State.In fact Wingstop issued a statement saying that they estimate selling more than 3.5 million chicken wings. "Wingstop is to Super Bowl what chocolates are to Valentine's Day," said James Flynn, Wingstop CEO. And if you are truly frightened that they won't have your order of wings, you can pre-order early here.
So what is going on in New York- the likely source of the countrywide wing panic? The news video at the top features Sam Musolino of Sammy's Pizza in Niagara Falls. While the WIBV.com report points out that Sam has enough wings, it is the prices that are a major problem, so he has called for a national boycott:
"Pass it on to everybody that if nobody could serve chicken wings for that day."
So what is the truth? Well, the National Chicken Council has a bone to pick with the media. Richard Lobb, director of communications for the National Chicken Council told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette:
Fears that chicken wing supplies will run out are unfounded. And blaming a shortage on Pilgrim's Pride's bankruptcy alone is a "wild exaggeration," he said. "Eat all you want. There are plenty more."
And regarding prices, the Council has this posted on their website:
By some accounts, prices are higher than a year ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture cites an average retail price of $1.93 per pound for ready-to-cook chicken wings featured in grocery circulars, up from $1.52 a year ago. Prices always go up during the run-up to the football spectacular, but this year’s higher prices may be related to industry-wide production cutbacks due to high feed costs and general economic stress.
So grab your favorite dipping sauce and stop worrying about chicken wings- because if there is one thing we have seen in the food industry, it is that fear and speculations of doom and shortages will make prices rise higher than if we just let things be.
Further Reading:
A no-fry buffalo wing recipe from Simply Recipes.
WBSTV.com on the buffalo wing panic.
New Jersey apparently had enough wings to go around. The Courier Post Online is reporting on the 17th annual Wing Bowl.
