Meijer promises plenty of pumpkins despite East Coast weather | Home & Garden

CINCINNATI (FOX19) - The East Coast is anticipating a pumpkin shortage this year as Hurricane Irene destroyed hundreds of pumpkin patches across the region. However, Meijer buyers say there’s no need for Midwesterners to be spooked as they aren’t anticipating that to have any effect on the availability or price of Meijer pumpkins this fall. 

This year Meijer is expected to sell more than 465,000 jack pumpkins and 96,750 baking pumpkins.  90% of pumpkins grown in the US are raised within a 90-mile radius of Peoria, IL.  Meijer sources its pumpkins from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. 

Jack pumpkins are used for decoration and have a few varietals such as Magic Lantern, Gladiator, and Aladdin. The difference in seed accounts for the difference in size, color and stem of these pumpkins.  Baking pumpkins, or pie pumpkins, are typically smaller in size than jack pumpkins.  Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A, but they are 90% water. 

Meijer has stores in Oakley, Mason, Fairfield, Hamilton, Middletown, Cold Spring, Florence, Miami Township Clermont County, and Colerain, West Chester, Union, Deerfield, and Green Townships. 

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