Buzz
Popcorn became a movie theater favorite during the Great Depression, and its popularity has endured ever since. However, after years of steady demand, popcorn growers now face a dilemma: what to do with massive surpluses as movie theaters nationwide remain closed.
According to Food & Wine, the way people consume popcorn has shifted dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Before the crisis, about 30 percent of U.S. popcorn was eaten outside the home. The coronavirus lockdowns led to a surge in grocery store microwave popcorn sales, while movie theater popcorn lost its primary outlet.
Cinema popcorn and home popcorn come from different suppliers. Farmers who supply theaters aren't set up to package their product for retail sale. Preferred Popcorn, a major supplier to theaters, has reportedly built seven new storage silos to hold the excess popcorn accumulated since the pandemic began—enough to fill approximately 80 million movie theater popcorn containers.
Popcorn boasts a longer shelf life compared to many other crops, with growers able to store unsold kernels for up to a year before the moisture needed for popping evaporates. However, given the theater industry's current struggles, even this timeframe may not be enough. Despite some theaters reopening in certain areas, attendance remains disappointingly low.
A stopgap measure involves offering movie theater popcorn directly to consumers in large quantities. Preferred Popcorn, for instance, markets its kernels online in hefty 30-pound and 50-pound bags. For those yearning for the cinematic experience, purchasing enough popcorn to supply a concession stand might offer a modest sense of comfort.
