Due to all the rain this year, and its effect on crops, the market is currently experiencing a shortage of fresh produce and the prices of many common vegetables and salads have gone up. The price of lettuce at $12 a head has become symbolic of the current conditions. Consequently, some food industry operators are making small adjustments to try and contain their costs and deal with the shortage, such as making side salads optional, offering different leafy blends in their salad choices, or simply reducing the quantity used in normal offerings.
Case in point, we decided to stop at Hungry Jacks for a bite to eat on the way home yesterday and I immediately noticed the store’s signs drawing attention to the lettuce shortage, and that if their burgers were a ‘bit lean on the green’ it was due to factors outside their control.
While waiting for our order we observed a man at the counter having a go at the young cashier about the lack of lettuce on the burger he’d just eaten. He was clearly trying it on for a freebie. The cashier pointed to the ‘lettuce shortage’ signs but the guy persisted, describing how deeply disappointed he had been by having only a few measly strings of lettuce on his burger. Finally, the cashier got his manager, who agreed to give the man a free burger meal. He took this away to his table but minutes later, was back at the counter again (having partly consumed the meal) complaining about the burger. To our amazement, the guy walked out with another freebie meal.
Photo by Jef Wright on Unsplash