Say it ain't so: Social media uproar over discontinued mustard pickles
People have written songs, penned poems and posted classified ads about the popular product
If social media is any indication, many people in Newfoundland and Labrador aren't taking kindly to the announcement that a popular brand of mustard pickles is being discontinued.
Smucker Foods of Canada Corporation has decided to no longer produce pickles under its Zest and Habitant labels.
Many have taken to Twitter and Facebook to voice their disappointment, and share photographs of themselves stocking up on the popular product.
Some people got creative, and penned poetry — like this Ode to the Mustard Pickle which states, "Dear Mr. Zest and Habitant, why do you have to go? You are so sweet and mustardy, and we just love you so."
Others, like Gregory Crane, used the gift of song to sum up his feelings on the subject.
The province's Heritage Foundation has started collecting mustard pickle recipes, in an attempt to preserve the traditional treat.
Worried about mustard pickles vanishing? You can help! Saving Traditional Mustard Pickle Recipes! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mustardpickles?src=hash">#mustardpickles</a> <a href="https://t.co/J9CzzYu5Ks">https://t.co/J9CzzYu5Ks</a>
—@ICH_NLEven local politicians have suggestions on how to handle the ordeal.
I've solved the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustardPickles?src=hash">#MustardPickles</a> crisis. <br><br>Here's the idea....<br><br>We'll build big greenhouses in Mount Pearl and grow our own!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NLpoli?src=hash">#NLpoli</a>
—@stephenkentThe effects of the pickle crisis have seeped into popular search engines.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustardPickles?src=hash">#MustardPickles</a> are important because <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/google?src=hash">#google</a> told me so. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NLculture?src=hash">#NLculture</a> <a href="https://t.co/63R80cBzkk">pic.twitter.com/63R80cBzkk</a>
—@HandyGirl3Some think it will go down in the history books, calling the situation the Great Mustard Pickle Disaster of 2016.
And forget stocks and bonds, some see great investment opportunities in the mustard pickle market.
Not to mention potential black market opportunities for selling the pickles.
One person said they stocked up on 96 bottles of the Sunday side dish, and will sell them for inflated prices on the popular online classifieds site Kijiji.
But be warned: The seller said they "will not accept Jamie Oliver stamps as a trade."
Fess up, which one of ye friggers posted this ad?? Bahahahaha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustardPickles?src=hash">#MustardPickles</a> <a href="https://t.co/iuGIkmEg1f">pic.twitter.com/iuGIkmEg1f</a>
—@Shellymomma2The province-wide panic even made national news headlines.
Our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/picklecrisis?src=hash">#picklecrisis</a> has made national news! <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustardPickles?src=hash">#MustardPickles</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dr683mJowD">pic.twitter.com/Dr683mJowD</a>
—@AllisonLynnNLYou can't go to a grocery store without seeing something like this.
zest mustard pickles are literally selling by the case…what a time to be alive <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/xl1cqlByTJ">pic.twitter.com/xl1cqlByTJ</a>
—@andrewsampson_Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have truly bonded over the shared experience.
I haven't seen Newfoundlanders this upset since Danny Williams resigned. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustardPickles?src=hash">#MustardPickles</a>
—@Gwammy61The mustard pickles disaster would have easily been averted if Newfoundland had invested $25 million in cucumbers 25 years ago. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nlpoli?src=hash">#nlpoli</a>
—@mark_watton