Trader Joe's finally confirms future of viral popular breakfast item and why it's hard to find - it'
TRADER Joe’s fans were in despair when they thought the beloved hashbrown patties were discontinued this year.
But luckily, the company is still selling the item, Trader Joe’s has confirmed to The U.S. Sun.
Shoppers have taken to the internet to complain about the seemingly missing product, with one shopper saying they had searched for the McDonald’s hashbrown dupe for around a month to no avail.
This led to many customers speculating the item had been discontinued, but Trader Joe’s said this is not the case.
“Our hashbrown patties have not been discontinued,” a Trader Joe’s spokesperson confirmed to The U.S. Sun.
So what has driven the scarcity on the shelves?
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It likely comes down to increased demand.
The hashbrown patties recently made a wave on TikTok, with many shoppers just discovering the item, which is perfect for toasting and adding avocado and a range of other breakfast toppings.
Cashiers have reportedly told customers the hashbrown patties sell out in two days straight, with some shoppers grabbing 10 packages at a time.
Inflation could have potentially led more shoppers to buy in bulk as well, as they fear price hikes in the coming weeks.
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While the supply chain might not be able to keep up with customer demand just yet, don't panic, as the product should be coming again to a Trader Joe’s near you soon.
WHY PRODUCTS GET DISCONTINUED
While Trader Joe’s has not discontinued the famous hashbrown patties, the retailer has gotten rid of several other items on its shelves throughout the past few years.
This includes the fan favorite desserts Belgian chocolate pudding, chocolate chip sandwich cookies, caramel salted gelato, and Speculoos cookie butter cheesecake.
Other beloved items, including the truffle mac and cheese, eggplant cutlets, and arrabbiata sauce, were also removed from the stores forever, leading to widespread outcry and petitions.
According to Nakia Rohde, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s, there are several reasons why a product could end up on that discontinued list.
“Each product has a unique story,” Rohde told The U.S. Sun.
“Our mission is to bring customers the best quality products at the best prices.”
Because Trader Joe’s has limited store space, they have to manage it well.
“Each of our products must ‘stand on its own,’ meaning it must pay its own way,” Rohde said.
She said every single product available at Trader Joe’s must pass certain criteria to end up on shelves, and that includes an intense tasting panel.
However, when products, even those beloved by many customers, get removed, there’s a variety of factors at play.
Rohde said many times, the product is seasonal and will be back for a specific time in the year.
Some of these types of products include winter or holiday-festive items. But it could also include produce like the Brussels sprout stalks, which are only available at certain times.
Often, it comes down to a supply chain issue as well.
“The cost of producing the item may increase (change in commodity prices, new manufacturing requirements, etc.), and in turn, the price,” Rohde said. “If it no longer makes sense as a value, then we may choose to discontinue it.”
And ultimately, because Trader Joe’s introduces new products every week, some great products that aren’t selling as well will just have to go.
“It’s a matter of space,” Rohde said. “And it keeps things interesting.”
TRADER JOE’S IN THE NEWS
While many other grocers have jumped on the self-checkout bandwagon, Trader Joe’s has distinguished itself by vowing to never implement the machines in its stores.
The retailer will continue to hire on-site staff as the company believes its employees are more important than the allure of self-checkout.
“The bottom line here is that our people remain our most valued resource," Tara Miller, Trader Joe's vice president of marketing, said on the Inside Trader Joe's podcast.
“While other retailers were cutting staff and adding things like self-checkout, curbside pickup, and outsourcing delivery options, we were hiring more crew, and we continue to do that.”
Some stores might also be giving away a free surplus of discontinued snack items to shoppers.
Read More on The US Sun
There are six discontinued desserts at Trader Joe’s that you’ll likely never see again.
Luckily, though, Trader Joe’s has brought back a seasonal item right ahead of springtime.
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