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So far, Missouri pecan farmer and Blue Owl restaurant not affected by pecan shortage
Date: 11/11/2011 Album ID: 1360370
Photos by Laurie Skrivan
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Local pecan farmer Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farms and the popular Blue Owl Restaurant, which uses pecans in many of their desserts are largely unaffected by a national pecan shortage. A drought in prime pecan-growing areas this year, coupled with a huge surge in demand for pecans from China, has forced prices upward, and some pecan-dependent companies are scrambling for nuts as the holiday season approaches.
I just told her take away the menu if you had pecan pie. It's my favorite, said Bob Kottmeier of St. Louis, who dines at The Blue Owl Restaurant Friday, November 11, 2011, in Kimmswick, Mo. Kottmeier, who learned of the national pecan shortage, was happy to learn that so far the Blue Owl had a healthy supply on hand for the holiday season. Waitress Debra Moen of Oakville is on the left. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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We use a lot of pecan in our deserts, says waitress Hannah Waitress of Pevely, who carries a order of of two pecans pies to her table at The Blue Owl Restaurant Friday, November 11, 2011, in Kimmswick, Mo. Luckily, the restaurant so far is unaffected by the national shortage of pecans. And it's a good thing, too, because Oprah Winfrey just listed their Levee High Caramel Apple Pecan Pie among her favorite things in the December 2011 issue. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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We use a lot of pecan in our deserts, says waitress Hannah Waitress of Pevely, who carries a tray of desserts, including a piece of pecan pie, to her table at The Blue Owl Restaurant Friday, November 11, 2011, in Kimmswick, Mo. Luckily, the restaurant so far is unaffected by the national shortage of pecans. And it's a good thing, too, because Oprah Winfrey just listed their Levee High Caramel Apple Pecan Pie among her favorite things in the December 2011 issue. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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I don't think our customers would be too happy if we ran out. I don't think that would happen, said baker Lenora Reckerd of Hillsboro, who places a freshly topped Caramel Apple Pecan Pie at the pastry counter at The Blue Owl Restaurant Friday, November 11, 2011, in Kimmswick, Mo. Luckily, the restaurant so far is unaffected by the national shortage of pecans. And it's a good thing, too, because Oprah Winfrey just listed their Levee High Caramel Apple Pecan Pie among her favorite things in the December 2011 issue. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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There is pecans in this, too, said Waitress Debra Moen of Oakville, who prepares to deliver desserts to her table, while holding a piece of Caramel Apple Pecan Pie just taken out of the microwave at The Blue Owl Restaurant Friday, November 11, 2011, in Kimmswick, Mo. Luckily, the restaurant so far is unaffected by the national shortage of pecans. And it's a good thing, too, because Oprah Winfrey just listed their Levee High Carmel Apple Pecan Pie among her favorite things in the December 2011 issue. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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Waitress Kayla Smith of Arnold loads a slice of pecan pie onto her tray to be delivered to her table at The Blue Owl Restaurant Friday, November 11, 2011, in Kimmswick, Mo. Luckily, the restaurant so far is unaffected by the national shortage of pecans. And it's a good thing, too, because Oprah Winfrey just listed their Levee High Carmel Apple Pecan Pie among her favorite things in the December 2011 issue. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. Spaunhorst carries a load of pecans recently shaken from the trees to a tumbler which will separate the pecans from the twigs and other brush that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. Spaunhorst carries a load of pecans recently shaken from the trees to a tumbler which will separate the pecans from the twigs and other brush that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. Spaunhorst loads a bucket full of pecans recently shaken from the trees to a tumbler which will separate the pecans from the twigs and other brush that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst prepares a load of pecans recently shaken from the trees to be taken to a tumbler which will separate the pecans from the twigs and other brush that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. After running the load with a tumbler which separated the nuts from debris, Spaunhorst goes through by hand to separate pecans that are still in their shell that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. Spaunhorst loads a bucket full of pecans recently shaken from the trees to a tumbler which will separate the pecans from the twigs and other brush that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. The farm has more than 70 pecan producing trees on 10 acres. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., will spend the next few days tumbling the pecans - preparing them for sale for the upcoming Holiday season. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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Mug of Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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The nation's pecan industry has taken a huge hit this year, losing half of its crop to drought. The poor harvest comes at a bad time: Demand from China is gobbling up the US pecan supply, driving up prices, just in time for pecan pie season. Vernon Spaunhorst of Heritage Family Tree Farm in Washington, Mo., is one of the lucky exceptions. Spaunhorst, a tree farmer, who dabbles in pecans, is having a banner crop year since his pecan trees are fed by a local creek, providing a constant water source. Spaunhorst dumps a load of pecans recently shaken from the trees into a tumbler which will separate the pecans from the twigs and other brush that are mingled with the nuts Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in Washington, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
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