"Thousands of truckloads of food that were headed for stores in the Northeast are stuck on roadsides and in warehouses following the crippling blow Hurricane Sandy dealt to the nation's food distribution system."
Hurricane Sandy has halted the distribution of food to affected areas, but no one is concerned about major short-term food shortages.
One main issue is that businesses are out of power and have not reopened their doors. Preparations made before the storm have many grocery stores and warehouses stocked with a couple weeks worth of food, these places are equipped with back up generators. Ed Chouinard of Perishable Distribution Solutions (PDS) says "...people don't shop much for food if they've got no power. There's more likely to be a surge in demand when the power comes back on, because then everyone is restocking. But there wont be a shortage."
97 grocery stores were forced to close in New Jersey and now some have reopened and according to one New Jersey resident they were stocked with firewood and ice, along with food.
Charles Wilson, VP of corporate communications at Sysco, said they worked prior to the storm to make sure their clients had enough supplies in advance, until they could get back on the roads. He also said they have been working with disaster relief agencies to make sure we are one of the first responders and we're ready to go back in as soon as it's safe."
Prolonged power outages are a problem for perishable foods and the spread of food born illnesses. Making sure food is kept cold enough so bacteria does not spread is important for stores, businesses, and individuals.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy-disrupts-food-distribution_n_2049778.html?1351703911
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