Campbell’s soup disappearing from shelves, consumers scramble to find pantry staple

Since 1869, Campbell’s has been a staple in the world of comfort food, known for its iconic soups and the catchy slogan, “Mmm mmm good.” However, the company, which has defined cozy meals for more than a century, is now scaling back its operations, leaving many consumers feeling uneasy.

Campbell’s has been a part of popular culture for decades. In the 1960s, artist Andy Warhol famously celebrated the brand by creating 32 paintings of Campbell’s Soup cans, each depicting a different flavor available at the time. Warhol’s work, inspired by his daily lunches of Campbell’s Soup, is now a permanent fixture at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Today, Campbell’s has grown into a vast portfolio that includes not just soups but also products from brands like Pace Foods (salsa), Prego (pasta sauces), Pepperidge Farm (Goldfish crackers), Swanson (TV dinners), and Snyder’s-Lance (pretzels and chips). Despite this extensive range, the company has had to make some tough decisions in recent years.

In 2018, Campbell’s ceased soup production at its nearly century-old facility in Toronto, Canada, resulting in the loss of approximately 400 jobs. More recently, in November 2023, UK consumers were startled to find that many of their favorite Campbell’s soups had vanished from supermarket shelves. Some of these missing items, like the beloved condensed tomato soup, became so scarce that a six-pack was being sold on eBay for over $50.

One dismayed shopper shared their frustration online, saying, “I’ve been to EVERY major supermarket I can think of… and… NOTHING! The condensed tomato soup is a staple in [our] house, used weekly to make a pasta dish the kids absolutely love, but it’s vanished off the face of the earth.”

While some flavors have made a comeback or been rebranded, others remain absent, leaving UK consumers still searching for their favorites, like celery soup. Globally, several Campbell’s flavors have been permanently discontinued, including Pepper Pot Soup, K-Cup single-serve soups, Chunky Philly-Style Cheesesteak Soup, Scotch Broth Soup, and Green Pea Soup—one of the flavors featured in Warhol’s famous collection.

As health-conscious eating trends continue to rise, Campbell’s has recognized the need to adapt. The New Jersey-based company has announced plans to streamline its operations, making production more efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with consumer demands. This restructuring involves cutting jobs and halting soup production at some facilities.

Specific facilities facing changes include the Campbell’s factory in Paris, Texas, which will cease canned soup production over the next two years to focus on Prego pasta sauce and Pace salsa products. In Tualatin, Oregon, a plant acquired by Campbell’s in 2017 as part of its purchase of Pacific Foods will gradually shut down, with operations ending completely by July 2026. Meanwhile, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, the plant will concentrate on producing Late July tortilla chips, with kettle-cooked chip production being relocated to Campbell’s plants in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Despite these cutbacks, Campbell’s is also investing $230 million to expand its business, which includes creating 210 new jobs in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

The company has not announced a complete shutdown of its operations but is undergoing a significant restructuring. This plan involves selling off parts of its business, closing certain facilities, and shifting focus to different product lines or market segments.

What Campbell’s product do you wish was still available? Share your thoughts and spread this story to hear from others!

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